What Happens at the U.S. Consulate?

Presentation Topics Do I need a visa? What is a visa? Visa Types Application Process The Interview Other Resources

What’s a visa? A Visa is: A Visa does NOT: a permit to apply for entry to the U.S. A Visa does NOT: guarantee entry into the United States determine the length of time you may stay in the United States

A two-step dance… The Department of State consular officers conduct personal interviews grants visas The Department of Homeland Security (POE) admits into U.S. (the FINAL word) limits the duration of stay in U.S.

Why are you traveling? Visitor for Business or Pleasure (B-1/B-2) Petition Based Visas: Student Visitors (F-1) Exchange Visitors (J-1) Foreign Workers (H-1B, L-1, TN) Note: Above classifications and documentation requirements are relevant for Canadian citizens, but they do not require visas.

Procedures for Canadian Citizens No visas – proceed to POE with passport and: Academic Study (F-1) I-20, evidence of financial support Proof of SEVIS registration and fee payment Internships (J-1 or TN) J-1  DS-2019, SEVIS registration & fee receipt TN  job offer letter and proof of qualifications Employment (H-1B, L-1 or TN) H-1B or L-1  I-797 SEVIS: student and exchange visitor information system

Procedures for Visa Waiver Why will I travel? How long will I stay? 27 Participating countries: Andorra Iceland Norway Australia Ireland Portugal Austria Italy San Marino Belgium Japan Singapore Brunei Liechtenstein Slovenia Denmark Luxembourg Spain Finland Monaco Sweden France the Netherlands Switzerland Germany New Zealand United Kingdom Does my passport qualify? http://travel.state.gov All VWP travelers, regardless of age or type of passport used, must present individual machine -readable passports. In addition, depending on when VWP travelers’ passports were issued, other passport requirements apply: * Machine-readable passports issued or renewed/extended on or after 10/26/06 – requires integrated chip with information from the data page ( e-Passport ). * Machine-readable passports issued or renewed/extended between 10/26/05 and 10/25/06 – requires digital photograph printed on the data page or integrated chip with information from the data page. * Machine-readable passports issued or renewed/extended before 10/26/05 – no further requirements. * Temporary, emergency, official and diplomatic passports are exempted from biometric digital photo and chip requirements, but must be machine-readable. Note that German temporary or emergency passports are not included in this biometric e-passport exemption.. Therefore, holders of German temporary or emergency passports must either obtain a valid, machine-readable regular German passport for VWP travel or apply for a U.S. visa to travel to or through the United States.

Plan Ahead Appointments filled 45 business days in advance Most visas can be issued within 2-4 days, but some require months of processing Typical reasons for processing delays are clearance requirements and waivers Every applicant’s situation is unique An approval notice or interview appointment does not guarantee the issuance of a visa

Complete Application Form Online visa application forms available online via our appointment scheduling service at www.nvars.com or at travel.state.gov ; the DS-156 must be completed online and printed with bar code; bring your completed forms to your interview

Procedures for Non-Canadians Gain admission or get hired School or employer files/issues paperwork Make an appointment for a visa interview Prepare for interview/gather required items Electronic application (DS-156, -157, -158) $131 application fee / possibly reciprocity fees Valid passport 6 months after travel date Supporting documentation (as discussed) 1 recent photo All for **each** applicant Attend your interview at the Consulate

The big day… Plan to spend about 2 hours at the Consulate Arrive on time- bring all required paperwork, photo, fees, etc. Clear security (no food or electronics- cell phones, calculators etc.) Intake- no blanks on your application! 10-fingerprints Interview http://toronto.usconsulate.gov/

What do I have to prove? You picked the right visa category You qualify for that type of visa You are a bona-fide applicant 214(b) for F and J visas- the assumption of immigrant intent Background, experience and purpose of travel all make sense Role of supporting docs An average interview lasts 2 min http://toronto.usconsulate.gov/