A visa is permission to arrive at a U.S. Port of Entry and make application with U.S. Border and Customs Protection (a division of immigration of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security) for permission to enter the U.S.

A visa is not permission to enter or stay in the U.S. Please see the following websites for more information and the information below.

U.S. Department of State website for information on obtaining visas
http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/index.html

List of Worldwide Consular Offices
http://travel.state.gov/visa/questions_embassy.html

Video: Visa Processes
http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/36269.asx

Personal Interviews Required at Consular Office

• The U.S. State Department as of August 1, 2003 requires that a visa applicant appear before a consular officer for a personal interview, though some waivers of the interview had been previously allowed.

• The new requirements will mean that visa applicants will need to schedule interviews, and the visa approval process could take more time than in the past.

Applying in the Student’s Home Country

• The student should apply for a visa in the U.S. consulate that has jurisdiction over the alien’s place of residence

•Applying in a country other than the student’s home country

• The student must check with the nearest U.S. consulate and verify whether or not they process visa applications from “third country nationals”.

• A “Third Country National” is a person who is applying for a visa in a country of which he/she is not a citizen

• Applying for a visa in another country may be more difficult and time consuming because the consular officer has to be able to establish the student’s ties to their home country and may need to contact the consulate in the applicant’s home country.

Before Going to the Consulate

• Review the Form I-20 which UTPA sent to you after your acceptance

• Check the spelling of your name, date of birth, and major to verify that all information is correct

• Download forms from consulate website or from DHS website above

• Follow instructions on how to make a visa appointment; contact the nearest consulate and make the appointment

• the approval for a visa can take anywhere from a few days to several months so apply as soon as you get you DS-2019. In the past you could not apply more than 90 days in advance but because of the a longer time due to background checks and personal interviews that restriction has been waived at this time.

• Keep in mind that June, July, and August are the busiest months in most consular sections, and interview appointments are the most difficult to get during that period.

• A visa application fee will have to be paid in advance; follow the instructions on the website; the fee varies from country to country

• There is also a one-time SEVIS fee of $100 that also must be paid in advance. Payment should be made by internet at: www.fmjfee.com We do not recommend that you pay the fee by mail as this is very time consuming and items may be lost in the mail. You must bring the receipt with you to your appointment at the consulate.

• Gather financial documents (bank statements, investments, etc.) in order to prove that you have sufficient funds to study in the U.S.

• The consular officer will verify that you have at least enough funds to cover the amount listed as estimated expenses in item 7 of the form I-20

• Gather documents that prove that you are going to return to your home country after your studies (investments, family, businesses, properties, etc)

• Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months into the future

What to bring to the US Consulate

• Students need to plan ahead to avoid having to make repeat visits to the Embassy.

• To the extent possible, students should bring the documents suggested below, as well as any other documents that might help establish their ties to the local community.

1. Form I-20 obtained from a U.S. college, school or university. Please be sure
to give us all four pages of the I-20 form. The form must also be signed by you and by a school official in the appropriate places

2. Form DS-156 completed and signed

3. Form DS-158 completed and signed.

4. Form DS-157 completed and signed; this form required for all males between
ages 16 and 45, the new Form DS-157 is part of the ongoing effort to identify potential terrorists attempting to enter the U.S. Each consular post has discretion to require women to complete the form.

5. passport valid at least 6 months after the proposed date of entry to the U.S

6. 1 2x2 passport photograph

7. A receipt for visa processing fee.

8. A receipt for $100 SEVIS fee

All applicant should also be prepared to provide the following items

1. Transcripts and diplomas from previous institutions attended

2. Scores from standardized tests required by the educational institution such as the TOEFL, SAT, GRE, GMAT, etc.;

3. Financial evidence that shows you or your parents who are sponsoring you have sufficient funds to cover your tuition and living expenses during the period of your intended study. For example, if you or your sponsor is a salaried employee, please bring income tax documents and original bank books and/or statements. If you or your sponsor own a business, please bring business registration, licenses, etc., and tax documents, as well as original bank books and/or statements.

4. Evidence of ties to home country in other words, you must prove that you are going to return to your home country after your time in the U.S. and that you have no plans for seeking residency in the U.S. This is the number one reason for visa denials. This can be proved through family ties in your home country, property, businesses, etc.

• your passport must be is valid for a minimum of six months past the date you intend to enter the US.; if not your visa will be denied

• the approval for a visa can take anywhere from a few days to several months so apply as soon as you get you DS-2019. In the past you could not apply more than 90 days in advance but because of the a longer time due to background checks and personal interviews that restriction has been waived at this time.

• Take financial documentation with you to the consulate to demonstrate how you will pay for your time of study in the U.S.

• Be prepared to demonstrate ties to your home country; in other words, you must prove that you are going to return to your home country after your time in the U.S. and that you have no plans for seeking residency in the U.S. This is the number one reason for visa denials. This can be proved through family ties in your home country, property, businesses, etc.

At the Consulate

• Stricter security measures require that your application undergo a more thorough inspection than in the past.

• At your interview, your two index fingers will be scanned by a special, inkless digital scanner. Your left index finger, then your right index finger.

• While most visas are delivered within a week, in some cases, these security measures may add several weeks to the processing time for your visa application, so please add extra time in planning your trip

• When you apply for a visa, you will be checked against available records of people who are ineligible for visas or whose application requires additional review by United States government agencies before a visa can be issued.

• If your name or a close variation indicates further investigation of your application is needed, your visa application will require additional processing time.

• please be completely honest with the consular officer during the interview and on the visa application; deceptions or lies can result in a life time ban from the U.S.

• A very small percentage of visa applications may undergo further review by officials in Washington, D.C. For cases that are reviewed, waiting times vary, but most are processed within a few weeks.