US - VISA Guidance
US - VISA Guidance
US - VISA Guidance
A valid passport An appropriate application. This can be obtained through an Embassy or consulate or at www.UnitedStatesVisas.gov Documents to support the application detailing employment, reason for travel and financial status Proof of payment of fees
( If you are a student applying for a visa to study in the US talk to the US academic institution or exchange program sponsoring you to obtain all the forms you will need to present along with your information ). 3. Submit your application along with your passport and all the supporting documents to the US embassy or consulate. The consular officer will review it. For most applicants the visa is issued within a few weeks. There is no guarantee of obtaining a visa. 4. In some cases additional reviews will be required. The information submitted by you is checked in the worlds foremost security database. If your name or a close variation indicates a security concern, the process will be delayed. Additional steps will vary from requests for additional interviews and information to official registration and fingerprinting. This may add at least 4-6 weeks in processing time. 5. A US visa allows you to travel from your country to a port of entry in the US. In many cases that port of entry will be the airport where you land. On the airplane you will be asked to fill out a short arrival/departure form. When you deplane follow the directions for the noncitizen entry. At the airport a US official will interview you and verify all of your paper work. Once admitted you will receive an immigration stamp and proceed to baggage claim and US customs.
6. Applicants may visit www.UnitedStatesVisas.gov for current visa policies and procedures based on your current situations and circumstance. Whether you are a applying for a student visa, business visa, a tourist visa or you are a sponsor, this is a very good first stop. There are many other types of visas and this site can help you determine which kind you need and how to obtain it. A visa allows you to travel to the United States as far as the port of entry (airport or land border crossing) and ask the immigration officer to allow you to enter the country. Only the immigration officer has the authority to permit you to enter the United States. He or she decides how long you can stay for any particular visit. Immigration matters are the responsibility of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
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You need to strategically prepare convincing points as per the concerns of the visa officer. One need to practice the list of questions which are frequently asked by US visa officer. You can practice answering the interview questions with your friends taking demo interviews in the room. Repeat this sequence again and again in every 15- 20 minutes until you gain confidence to face the interview questions.You need to be mastered in answering all the interview questions. Be confident at the time of interview. There should be no sign of nervousness when you enter the interview room.You need to pretend that you have prepared thoroughly for us visa interview. Dont be late for the interview due to traffic. Reach there half an hour early before the scheduled time. Wear formal clothes as you are going for the business interview. Wear a tie as visa officer is an American and always prefer formal attire. You need to greet the officer with confident smile and Good Morning as you enter the interview room. You should sit in a proper posture and answer all the questions confidently, looking in the eyes of interviewer throughout the interview. You need to answer loud and clear in front of visa officer.Your answer need to be confident and there should be no hesitations or pauses while you answer any unfamiliar question as well. If you dont understand what visa officer asked you, there should be no hesitation asking the same question again. You need to enter the interview room with all the documents arranged in order as visa officer is performing his duty. Dont even expect him to be hostile on you. You need to tell anything irrelevant if not asked by interviewer. Dont even try to be over smart in front of US visa consulate officer.
US Visas Types
There are two broad categories of US visas: 1. Immigrant visas: For those intending to reside permanently in the United States. (Whether or not they intend to work.). In order to be eligible to apply for an immigrant visa, a foreign citizen must be sponsored by a U.S. citizen relative(s) or by a prospective employer. An Affidavit of Support form is required for most family-based and some employment based immigrants to show there is adequate means of financial support in the U.S., by the petitioner or other sponsor(s) for the immigrant. Additionally the Diversity Visa Program provides a certain number of permanent resident visas annually. These visas are drawn from countries with low rates of immigration to the U.S. 2. (A) Nonimmigrant visas: This is for people with permanent residence outside the US but who wish to be in the US for a short duration only. In other words it is a Visa for visiting United States temporarily. Reasons could be Tourism or medical treatment, business purpose, Students, Participants in exchange programs, Temporary workers, Performing artists, Professional journalists, and Government representatives, etc. (B) Temporary Worker Visas: There are several categories of temporary worker visas. All applicants for such visas must have a petition approved by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) before applying for the visa.
US Travel Visa
US visitor visa or US travel visa is a non-immigrant visa issued to people entering the US temporarily for business (B1), or for pleasure/ tourism/medical treatment (B2). These are generally issued up to a period of 3 months to 10 years. An additional extension of 6 months can be obtained based on the approval by the INS, while the visitor is in the US . You May not Need a US Visitor Visa or a US business visa if you are a foreign traveler, who is a citizen from certain eligible countries. You can enter US without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program. The following countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program: Andorra, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom (For citizens with the unrestricted right of permanent abode in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.) Qualifying For US visitor visa or US B1/B2 Visa? This is how the consulate defines the qualification for the visitor visa grant: Applicants for visitor visas must show that they qualify under provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The presumption in the law is that every visitor visa applicant is an intending immigrant. Therefore, applicants for visitor visas must overcome this presumption by demonstrating that:
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The purpose of their trip is to enter the U.S. for business, pleasure, or medical treatment. That they plan to remain for a specific, limited period. That they have a residence outside the U.S. as well as other binding ties which will insure their return abroad at the end of the visit.
All visitor visa applicants require to be interviewed at a US Consulate, before being granted a visa. Applicants need to appear in person for the Interview at a US consulate. A prior appointment is must for this purpose. How to go about Applying for a US Visitor Visa:Sponsored Trip: If applicant has a child or relatives who lives in USA, they can sponsor the visa for the applicant. Sponsor: Any US based person can sponsor visa for his/her parents, relatives, and friends.
Liabilities of sponsor: Sponsor needs to provide affidavit of support form stating and assuring to take the liabilities of expenses required for applicants trip. Other then this they also need to provide some other documents required to support their claim as sponsor. Sponsoring does not guarantee the visa grant. Individual applying for visa must meet the criteria, set for US visitor visa. window.google_render_ad(); Self Sponsored: You can be a self-sponsor for your trip. You must have sufficient funds and proof of financial capability that can justify your trip expenses. What you ought to know about B-1 visa:
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Business visa (B-1) is meant for business purpose only. Legally, you are not allowed to work in the USA as a B-1 visa holder. You are allowed to rent an apartment on B-1 visa. You might be required to show a recommendation letter from your company, and proof of your identity (i.e. your passport). You may open a bank account by showing proof of your identity (passport). You can get the ATM or debit card, from the bank in which you have opened your account, but not a credit card. Though most places ATM card can be used. You can rent a car, only if you have a valid driving license from your country (IDP or State Driving License). However, some US states insist on having a IDP (International Driving Permit). Initially you can drive in any US state on your IDP or State driving license, for a limited period of time. Rules vary from state to state. Confirm this from your local DMV office. You can't join any educational institute on B-1 visa. You can get a telephone/ cable connection installed in your apartment. You cannot convert B-1 to H-1 status, while you are in USA. B-1 visa can be extended for the maximum of total 1 year stay in USA. You are not liable to pay any taxes on your allowances, since it is not a salary.
Currently H1B Total Quota is 65,000. Note: H1 quota is over for this year; new Quota will be available from April 2006 for yr. 2006.
There is an additional 20,000 quota for qualified people who have done there Master degree from USA. This quota is independent and additional to general 65,000 quotas.
What is the USCIS Fee for filing for H1B Petition: (Paid by employer/H1 Sponsor) Filing Fee - between $1,440 to $2,190 (For petitioners who employ no more than 25 full-time equivalent employees, including any affiliate or subsidiary) and 2190 for employer who has more then 25 fulltime employees. Lawyer fee may be extra on top of this fee:Limit of H1B visa: Total stay is limited to 6 years. Initial approval is for 3 years, which can be extended for increment of up to 3 years. H1B- Re-Stamping: A new stamping can be done in any other country at any American consulate, based on the H1B extension approval. Multiple Employers: H-1B aliens may work for more than one U.S. employer, but must have a Form I-129 petition approved by each employer. Travel: H1B visa can be a multiple entry visa, which allows a person to travel in and out of USA for any number of times, within the specified visa validity.
Work: H-1B aliens may only work for the petitioning U.S. employer, and employer may place the H-1B worker on the work site of another employer. Vacation: An H-1B alien may be on vacation, sick/maternity/paternity leave.As long as alien is associated with the employer. Family Status: The spouse and unmarried children (under the age of 21) of H1B professionals are allowed to stay in the United States under the H4 category for the same duration as the H1B status. Permanent Residency (Green Card): An H1B holder is eligible to seek, permanent residency to USA. Changing Employer: H1B can be transferred, to a new Employer.You can also start working for new Employer upon the receipt of H1 transfer case. Buying Property: H1B holder can buy or sell real estate or any other property in USA. You can buy lottery or win lottery. What if circumstances change: As long as the alien continues to provide H-1B services for a U.S. employer, most changes will not mean that an alien is out of status. An alien may change H-1B employers without affecting status, but the new H-1B employer must file a new Form I-129 petition for the alien before he or she begins working for the new employer. The merger or sale of an H-1B employers business will not affect the aliens status in many instances. However, if the change means that the alien is working in a capacity other than the specialty occupation for which they petitioned, it is a status violation. Must a H-1B holder be working at all times: As long as the employer/employee relationship exists, an H-1B holder is still in status. An H-1B alien may work in full or part-time employment and remain in status. An H-1B alien may also be on vacation, sick/maternity/paternity leave, on strike, or otherwise inactive without affecting his or her status.
It can be issued only to an L1-A (Executive, Manager) or to a person with L1-B (specialized knowledge worker). Individuals cannot apply for an L1 visa. Your employer must file a petition with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on your behalf for L1 sponsorship. The person must have worked for at least one year within the past three years and you will be performing duties in the U.S. for the same employer or an affiliate. Maximum limit for L1 (A) visa is 7 years for executives, and managers. And 5 years for people with specialized skills L1 (B). The L-1 petition must specify, that both the U.S. and the parent company involved are qualified organizations. A letter from US based company, justifying the need of the person.
Can a L1 visa be issued, if the person is chosen to set up an office in USA? Yes, one can also be given L1 visa, if he is sent to set up an office in US for his company. In this situation the conditions to be fulfilled are :
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The concerned company must have proofs for sufficient funds, in order to maintain a US office. The company has to give the proof of the infra structure in USA, in order to run the business.
Difference between the L-1A Visa and the L-1B Visa : The L-1A Visa is for Managers and Executives. A benefit of being on an L-1A visa is the ability to apply for a Green Card (Permanent Residence), without going through the process of Labor Certification, after only one year in L-1A status. The L-1B Visa is for key employees (accountants, computer programmers, etc.). Registered nurses, persons in a specialty occupation H-1B, temporary or seasonal agricultural workers, temporary or seasonal non-agricultural workers, trainees other than medical or academic, practical training in the education of handicapped children.
Student Visa
Hundreds of thousands of people come to the United States from around the world for a higher education to improve their skills and broaden their minds. Numerous programs provide a wide variety of opportunities. There are three major types of student visas that an international student can come on to the United States to study. Student visas are issued for the period it takes the visitor to complete his/her course of study, program or work assignment. The 3 Types of Non-Immigrant Student Visa are: 1. F1 Visa: Academic Studies For people who want to study or conduct research at an accredited U.S. College or University. In order to be qualified for getting an F1, a recognized university as a full time student must accept you. You must also prove the sufficient proof of financial support during this stay in United States. Except for the training required by the course a F-1 holder cannot work in the United States. 2. J Visa: Academic Studies as an Exchange Visitor For people who will be participating in an exchange visitor program in the U.S. The J Visa is the primary visa for educational and cultural exchange programs. Check out the details about working in the U.S. with your program sponsor. 3. M Visa: Non-Academic or Vocational Studies For people who want to study or train at non-academic institutions in the U.S. such as vocational schools. Registered nurses, persons in a specialty occupation H-1B, temporary or seasonal agricultural workers, temporary or seasonal non-agricultural workers, trainees other than medical or academic, practical training in the education of handicapped children.
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Applicant looking to avail US Visa need to prepare himself with specific notes to satisfy the concern of visa officer. Proper reason need to mentioned by applicant regarding applying for US Visa. Verbal discussions related to visa need to be made clearly and confidently with visa officer. Repeat the practice sessions again and again which can help in regaining confidence while giving interview in front of visa officer. US Visa applicant need to approach half an hour before the scheduled time of interview. Late entry in the hall after the scheduled time of interview creates wrong impression in the mind of visa officer. Applicant need to wish the officer with confident smile on his face on the first occasion. No signs of nervous ness or trembling need to be shown at the time of interview. Answer each and every question clearly with positive intent. A visa applicant need to wear formal dress while approaching for interview with US visa officer. As the person taking the interview is an American, it is advisable to wear a tie which creates a sound impact in the mind of the officer as he want complete discipline in costumes of the applicant and his manner of approaching the interview .
US Work Visa
People all around the world need to acquire work visa if they are looking to earn their livelihood in developed countries such as United States on temporary basis. People who enter United States for business purpose or for tourism are not allowed to work here. Temporary work visa is not provided by external affairs ministry of United States for casual employment status. Availing temporary work visa for United States is not so easy as eligibility is thoroughly scrutinized by government of United States before providing the applicant with visa. People usually apply for temporary work visa to perform high skilled work in United States for a fixed time period. The employment is approved by US citizenship and immigration services. The applicants need to have bachelors degree in order to get qualified for temporary work visa. Higher education degree is preferred while applicant look to apply for skilled work permit visa to enter United States of America. Unskilled workers need to apply for H2B visa in order to get temporary work permit in United States. They are provided with unskilled H2B work visa by US government in case there is shortage of manpower in United States. Various people who interested to work in US, as trainees need to avail H3 visa. Person can also avail temporary work visa in order to organize tournaments or events or other professional reasons. Spouse and children can also apply for temporary work visa, if the applicant is applying for work visa after receiving job offer from employer. Person can also apply for work visa according to the requirements of jobs, which are prevalent in United States. Students can also apply for temporary work visa who hold good academic record and looking to gain work experience in US for particular period of time and earn some money out of it. Nurses, who are looking to perform their services in US for 3 years, need to apply for H1-C visa.Agricultural labors that are looking to get the work of their choice in United States need to apply for H2-B Visa. People who have performed extremely well in their recognized departments such as Arts, Athelitics, Education or Business need to apply for O1 Visa. The person who accompany to assist them need to apply for O2 Visa. Athletes who want international recognition and want to perform in Commonwealth or Olympic games need to apply for P1 Visa. Entertainers need to avail P2 visa in order to enter domestic territory of United States to show their performance in recognized events. Atleast, Q1 visa is provided to people who are looking to perform cultural exchange programs in United States.
Visa sponsored by US citizen- Applicant can apply for US tourist visa if one of his relative or friend is the citizen of United States. Liabilities of Sponsor- The us citizen who is a friend or relative of applicant need to provide affidavit in form of providing support to the journey and give assurance of timely payment of expenses incurred on applicants trip to USA.He also need to provide some
documents which need to be there in order to claim himself as sponsor of applicants trip.Sponsoring a person is not enough to get US visa as the applicant need to pass through interview process to confirm his eligibility for US tourist visa process. Self sponsored using Internet services- Applicant need to have high financial capability, which can justify their trip expenses. They can avail tourist visa on the basis of financial capability.
Immigrant visa (F2A) for family second preference immigrant visa for your spouse and children Nonimmigrant (V) visa for your spouse and children to travel to the United States to wait for processing of the immigrant visa. This Internet document provides the application procedures for the nonimmigrant (V) visa.
What Is a V Visa ?
The LIFE Act allows spouses and children of law ful permanent residents (LPR) to come to the United States on V nonimmigrant visas. The purpose of this act is to reunite families who have been or could be separated during the process of immigrating to the United States. With V visas, family members can wait in the United States for the immigrant visa process to be completed. Who Can Get a V Visa? Spouses (husbands and wives) and unmarried children under the age of 21 of lawful permanent residents may apply for V visas under these conditions:
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Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) petitioner MUST have filed the I-130 immigrant visa petition on or before December 21, 2000 Priority date is at least three years old Priority date is not current Applicant has not already had an immigrant visa interview or been scheduled for an interview Petition is not already at an embassy or consulate abroad Applicant is otherwise eligible as an immigrant
The priority date is the date the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) received the petition. How Do I Know If My Family Members Are Eligible for V Visas? The National Visa Center (NVC) sends a letter to potential V visa applicants and the petitioner. This letter tells you, the potential V visa applicants, to contact the embassy or consulate where you can apply. You will get information about setting up a V visa appointment. When you contact the embassy or consulate, you must have this information with you:
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Your full name as on the petition and on your passport Your date and place of birth
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You are eligible for V visa, if you meet all of the following qualifications: 1. You are the spouse of a minor child of a lawful permanent resident of USA (GC Holder) or 2. You are the beneficiary of an immigrant petition filed on or before dec 21, 2000 and you are outside the US and 3. You are waiting for us immigrant visa number for at least 3 years since the petition since I-130 was filed 4. You have yet not been scheduled for an immigrant visa interview 5. You are in the US and a. And I-130 is still pending OR b. APPROVED AND ALIEN BENEFICIARY MUST EITHER WAITING FOR AN IMMIGRANT VISA NUMBERT OR IF THE VISA NUMBER IS IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE THE ALIEN MUST HAVE A PENDING QUALIFICATION FOR ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS OR AN APPLICATION FOR AN IMMIGRANT VISA.
Step 1: File for K3 visa at nearest US consulate ( unmarried Children of spouse, age under 21 can get K4 visa ) Step 2: After coming to USA file for Adjustment of status(AOS) by filing I-485. Step 3: File for EAD (Employment Authorization card) Step 4: File for Social Security Number at the social security office.
Steps for applying Non immigration US visa Before Interview Process: As procedure for Non-immigration Visa interview varies in accordance with rules and regulations implied by consular post, following points need to be considered by the applicants while applying for non immigration US visa in order to enter the domestic territory of United States of America. 1. Applicants need to submit the passport and small photographs in the US Embassy along with US non-immigration application form for temporary residence in United States. 2. Applicant need to pay the non-refundable fees for non-immigration visa interview, which is conducted by US visa consulate officer and collect the fees. 3. Applicants looking for non-immigration visa need to face the interview in visa officer for which they need to collect the appointment date and time. front of
4. Applicants need to submit the necessary and supportive documents along with visa application form for availing US non-immigration visa. Fill the US non-immigration visa application form and submit it to the consulate officer. Approaching for Visa interview :
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When visa applicant arrives at US embassy on the appointment date for interview related to non immigration visa, local consular check the application form, passport, photos of the applicant and necessary documents attached thereof. Visa consular staff check the required detail are correctly entered in computer and verify the details through database available in computer regarding the eligibility of the applicant to receive visa. The database contains the details of all those foreign nationals who are not eligible or rejected for all the category of US visa due to their illegal practices or fake information. The digital finger prints of all the applicants are taken and cross checked against the database for derogatory information. The information mentioned in passport is also checked using database in order to determine the identity in the case of passport loss . Visa applicant need to approach visa consulate officer who take their interview and decides their fortune of visiting United States for a particular time period on temporary basis. The interview is formal and he judge the applicants according to their skills and knowledge which they need to imply when they reside in United States of America. People usually apply for different categories of non immigration visa such as work visa, student visa, business visa, tourist visa etc.The visa interview is conducted in the language of USA which is English.
Providing non immigration visa to applicants: Applicants who successfully qualify in the interview taken by visa consulate officer. They are called by local visa consulates to collect their passport with the US visa attached along with it. They can also pay the courier charges to the embassy and get their passport as well as US Visa at their residence or office.
Studying in the US
Colleges, Universities, and Institutes: The Distinction Colleges, Universities, and Institutes: The Distinction Degree-granting institutions in the United States can be called by any of these terms, and colleges and institutes are in no way inferior to universities. As a general rule, colleges tend to be smaller and usually offer only undergraduate degrees, while a university also offers graduate degrees. The words "school," "college," and "university" will be used interchangeably throughout this booklet. An institute usually specializes in degree programs in a group of closely related subject areas, so you will also come across degree programs offered at institutes of technology, institutes of fashion, institutes of art and design, and so on. Within each college or university you will find schools, such as the school of arts and sciences or the school of business. Each school is responsible for the degree programs offered by the college or university in that area of study. State Universities State universities are founded and subsidized by U.S. state governments (for example, California, Michigan, or Texas) to provide low-cost education to residents of that state. They may also be called public universities to distinguish them from private institutions. Some include the words "state university" in their title or include a regional element such as "eastern" or "northern." State universities tend to be very large, with enrollments of 20,000 or more students, and generally admit a wider range of students than private universities. State university tuition costs are generally lower than those of private universities. Also, in-state residents (those who live and pay taxes in that particular state) pay much lower tuition than outof-state residents. International students, as well as those from other states, are considered out-ofstate residents and therefore do not benefit from reduced tuition at state institutions. In addition, international students may have to fulfill higher admission requirements than in-state residents.
Private Universities Private institutions are funded by a combination of endowments, tuition fees, research grants, and gifts from their alumni. Tuition fees tend to be higher at private universities than at state universities, but there is no distinction made between state and non-state residents. Colleges with a religious affiliation and single-sex colleges are private. In general, private universities have enrollments of fewer than 20,000 students, and private colleges may have 2,000 or fewer students on their campuses. Community Colleges Community colleges provide two-year associate degree programs, usually called the associate of arts (A.A.) or associate of science (A.S.) degrees, as well as excellent technical and vocational programs. As the name suggests, community colleges are community-based institutions with close links to secondary schools, community groups, and employers, and many U.S. students live close to campus with their families. Community colleges can be public or private institutions and are sometimes called junior colleges or two-year colleges. A growing number of international students are choosing to study at community colleges. Tuition costs are often lower at two-year than at four-year institutions, and many have agreements to allow students on transfer programs to move easily into the third year of a bachelor's degree at the local state university. Read "U.S. Community Colleges A Gateway to U.S. Higher Education for International Students" by Judith Irwin, Director of International Programs and Services for the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC). Technical and Vocational Colleges These institutions specialize in preparing students for entry into, or promotion within, the world of work. They offer certificate and other short-term programs that train students in the theory behind a specific vocation or technology, as well as in how to work with the technology. Programs usually last two years or less. There are several thousand technical and vocational colleges across the United States, and they may be private or public institutions. Further information is provided in 'Short-Term Study.