USA: Prospective Visitors

From Foreignliving

Revision as of 18:26, 17 June 2006

Volunteers are needed to add more information to this section. If you wish to request speicfic information to be added, please post it on the Feedback, Suggestions and Contributions page.

Please note that the information given below is compiled by volunteers and may thus be inaccurate or outdated. While it is helpful to receive advice from those who have been through some process, you should use it at your own risk and always double-check official information for yourself.

Applying for a US Visa

Visa Types

A visa allows a foreign citizen to travel to a U.S. port-of entry and request permission from the U.S. immigration officer to enter the United States. It does not guarantee entry into the U.S. For more information about the definition of a visa, as well as policies and procedures regarding visas, please visit Destination USA.

Most non-U.S. citizens who wish to study in the United States will seek an F-1 (non-immigrant) student visa, but there are other visa types that are sometimes authorized for those who study in the U.S. Here is a short description of the different visa types that involve study:

F-1, or Student Visa: This visa is the most common for those who wish to engage in academic studies in the United States. It is for people who want to study at an accredited U.S. college or university or to study English at a university or intensive English language institute. More information on F-1 or Student Visa can be found at the U.S. Department of State website.

J-1, or Exchange Visitor: This visa is for people who will be participating in an exchange visitor program in the U.S. The "J" visa is for educational and cultural exchange programs. More information on J-1 or Exchange Visitor can e found on the U.S. Department of State website.

M-1, or Student Visa: This visa is for those who will be engaged in non-academic or vocational study or training at an institution in the U.S. More information on the M-1 or Student Visa can be found at the U.S. Department of State website.

Application Procedure

For detailed information, consult the main article on US Visa Application Procedure.

As of June 2006, all applicants for non-immigrant visas are handled by the Public Services Centers nominated by the U.S. Embassy, which is American Express in case of Lahore (probably all of Pakistan). The visa application fee of Rs. 7,000 is non-refundable. American Express delivers the passports to the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, which are then returned with an "interview required" stamp.

Applicants for various categories need to fill various forms. Links to most of these forms are provided below; you can either fill them out on your computer using Adobe Acrobat Reader, or take a printout and fill them out by hand.

Form/Document Requirements

F-1 Student Visa

• DS-156: Non-Immigrant visa application. It can be filled out online at http://evisaforms.state.gov/. Once you submit your information to the website, it will generate a PDF file for you, containing your own unique bar code etc., which you can then print out.

• DS-157: Supplemental non-immigrant form.

• DS-158: Contact info & work history form.

• Applicant's parent information form.

• Copy of a valid I-20.

Tips on Getting a US Visa

Points to remember when applying for a non-immigrant visa, such as showing ties to home country, english proficiency etc.

Read the complete article here.