1 / 31

Applying for a U.S. Visa

Applying for a U.S. Visa . U.S. Embassy, Ottawa. What is a U.S. Visa?. Allows the holder to apply for admission to the United States, in a given status, at a port of entry Customs and Border Patrol officer decides permitted length of stay at port of entry

lecea
Download Presentation

Applying for a U.S. Visa

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Applying for a U.S. Visa U.S. Embassy, Ottawa April 2010

  2. What is a U.S. Visa? • Allows the holder to apply for admission to the United States, in a given status, at a port of entry • Customs and Border Patrol officer decides permitted length of stay at port of entry • I-94 issued at port of entry includes length of stay

  3. Who needs a Visa? • Canadian Permanent Residents • Third Country Nationals • Individuals possessing Canadian Work or Student Permits • Nationals from Visa Waiver Countries do not need a visa if the purpose of their trip is tourism or business ≤ 90 days

  4. Visa Categories • Visitor (business / tourism)Visa (B-1/B-2) • Student Visa (F-1) requires I-20 • J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa (J-1) requires DS-2019 • Temporary Work Permit (H1-B) requires I-129/I-797

  5. Application Requirements • DS-156 and DS-157 (in the near future, the online DS-160 will be required) • Currently $131 (U.S. currency) fee • Recent color photograph with white background • Passport (preferably with at least six months of validity) • Canada ExpressPost envelope • Digital fingerprints taken on-site • Interview

  6. Additional Documents for Students • Official transcripts showing grades from completed courses • Certification of enrollment • Scholarship or sponsorship letter • Proof of other financial support

  7. Students in the Sciences • Students pursuing independent research in Science based fields should also bring: • A current Curriculum Vita (CV) listing all papers and presentations • An abstract of current research • A letter from academic advisor • The conference invitation if going to attend a conference

  8. Not everyone gets a Visa • Refusals do happen • Come prepared with documents • Entering the U.S. for the purpose stated • Returning to Canada • Strong ties to Canada • Refusal is not permanent, but time is typically required to establish stronger ties

  9. Validity and Issuance • The length of the Visa varies • Different visa types • Different countries • Generally the length of valid student status in Canada • Reciprocity fees • Sent by ExpressPost mail • Administrative Processing

  10. DS-160 Online Application • Replaces the following forms: • DS-156 “Nonimmigrant Visa Application” • DS-157 “Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application” • DS-158 “Contact Information and Work History for Nonimmigrant Visa Applicant” • Will be mandatory for Ottawa in the coming months

  11. DS-160 Application Process Only the application form has changed – Other parts of the process remain the same

  12. Completing the DS-160 • Step 1 – Accessing the Application • https://ceac.state.gov/genniv • Read the instructions and press “Start Application” • Step 1 – Accessing the Application • https://ceac.state.gov/genniv

  13. Completing the DS-160 • Step 2 – Choose the Embassy • Choose the Embassy or Consulate where you will apply • Step 2 – Choose the Embassy • Choose the Embassy or Consulate where you will apply • Step 2 – Choose the Embassy • Choose the Embassy or Consulate where you will apply • Press “Test Photo” to begin uploading your photo

  14. Completing the DS-160 • Step 3 – Upload Photo • Browse to your photo and press “Upload Selected Photo”

  15. Completing the DS-160 • Step 3 – Upload Photo • Browse to your photo and press “Upload Selected Photo” • If your photo meets the quality standards, you can press “Continue Using This Photo”

  16. Completing the DS-160 • Step 3 – Upload Photo • Browse to your photo and press “Upload Selected Photo” • If your photo meets the quality standards, you can press “Continue Using This Photo” • If your photo does not pass, press “Continue Without A Photo” • (BRING A PASSPORT PHOTO)

  17. Completing the DS-160 • Step 4 – Complete Form • Complete all questions carefully and accurately. • Providing inaccurate information or leaving required items blank will only delay your application

  18. Completing the DS-160 • Saving an Application • If you can’t finish in one sitting, you can save the application to your hard drive and continue later • Press “Save” at the bottom of any data entry page

  19. Completing the DS-160 • Saving an Application • If you can’t finish in one sitting, you can save the application to your hard drive and continue later • Press “Save” at the bottom of any data entry page • Press “Save Application to File”

  20. Completing the DS-160 • Saving an Application • If you can’t finish in one sitting, you can save the application to your hard drive and continue later • Press “Save” at the bottom of any data entry page • Press “Save Application to File” • Press “Save” and navigate to the place you want to save your application

  21. Completing the DS-160 • Tips • If a question doesn’t apply to you, you must check the “Does Not Apply” box

  22. Completing the DS-160 • Tips • If a question doesn’t apply to you, you must check the “Does Not Apply” box • Answer fully and include as much detail as you can

  23. Completing the DS-160 • Tips • If a question doesn’t apply to you, you must check the “Does Not Apply” box • Answer fully and include as much detail as you can • Be especially careful with the yes/no questions near the end – misrepresenting the facts can result in a permanent ban

  24. Completing the DS-160 • Step 5 – Reviewing Your Application • You have an opportunity to review and edit all your answers before submitting your application • Check carefully that everything is correct – it’s impossible to make changes later

  25. Completing the DS-160 • Step 6– Submitting Your Application • Once you submit your application, you can’t change it • Pressing “Sign and Submit Application” constitutes your electronic signature, certifying that all the answers on the application are true

  26. Completing the DS-160 • Step 7 – Printing Your Confirmation Page • Print the confirmation page • You only need to bring the printed confirmation sheet to the interview

  27. Completing the DS-160 • Step 7 – Printing Your Confirmation Page • Print the confirmation page • You only need to bring the printed confirmation sheet to the interview • You can print the entire application for your own records if you wish

  28. Completing the DS-160 • Step 7 – Printing Your Confirmation Page • Print the confirmation page • You only need to bring the printed confirmation sheet to the interview • You can print the entire application for your own records if you wish • You can e-mail the confirmation to someone else (e.g., if you are completing the application for another person)

  29. Completing the DS-160 • Step 7 – Printing Your Confirmation Letter (cont) • This is what the confirmation page looks like if your photo was not uploaded • You will need to bring a photo with you to the interview

  30. Reminder • The DS-160 replaces only the application forms. Other items are still required • Students: I-20 • Exchange Visitors: DS-2019 • Diplomats and Officials: Diplomatic Note • And most applicants still need evidence of ties to their place of residence

  31. Questions? • www.consular.canada.usembassy.gov/ottawa.asp • www.consular.canada.usembassy.gov/nvars.asp

More Related