ISS - VISA Information

Auburn University

Emergency Contacts

Crisis Management

GENERAL INFORMATION ON PREPARING
TO APPLY FOR A US VISA AND COMING TO THE US

AU welcome letter for F and J status (6/20/2008)
US DHS SEVIS FEE Information	Immigration Classifications and Visa Categories
* US DOS VISA information * How to get a VISA	AU Resource Information on VISA Issues
US DOS Visa Wait Times	ARRIVING AT A U.S. PORT OF ENTRY * What an Exchange Visitor (J) can expect * What a Student can expect

Applying for a US visa can be a difficult and time consuming process. Please read the following information carefully. Once you have applied and if you are denied or are having a problem with the visa process please read the following link carefully for additional information http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov/

If you have a problem with your visa application you may email us at intledu@auburn.edu and send the following information:

Date of interview, case number, passport number, SEVIS ID number, copy of any information given to you by the consular official including consulate location- fax number-email address, etc., description of the situation and your contact information.

INDEX

PREPARATION FOR VISA
DOCUMENTS - CHECKLIST
TRAVELING TO THE US

HOW TO PREPARE FOR APPLYING FOR U.S. VISA?

Strong ties to your home country. These are the things that bind you to your hometown, homeland, or current place of residence: job, family, financial prospects that you own or will inherit, investments, etc.

Speak for yourself. Don’t bring relatives or friends with you because the consular officer wants to interview you rather than them. If you plan to invite your spouse or children to come visit you for a short period or you will be asking for them to come stay with you after you come to the US, they should accompany you for your interview.

English proficiency. Anticipate that the interview will be conducted in English not in your native language, but do not prepare speeches.

Know the program and how it fits your career plans. State the reasons that you will study in a particular program in U.S.A. and how it will help your future career back in your home country.

Be brief. Keep your answers to consular officer’s questions short and direct to the point.

Dependents remaining at home country. Be prepared to address how your dependents support themselves in your absence if they are remaining behind in your country.

Employment. Your main purpose in coming to USA is TO STUDY not for the chance to work before or after graduation;
Additional documents. It should be immediately clear to the consular officer what written documents you are presenting and what they mean.

Maintain a positive attitude. Never argue with a consular officer. If you are denied a US Visa, ask the officer for a list of documents he/she would suggest you bring in order to overcome the refusal, and try to obtain the reasons you were denied in writing. The visa officer should give you a document explaining why you were refused.

Be ready to be told that a security check will be run on you up to 20 days or more delays.

DOCUMENTS NEEDED TO APPLY FOR A UNITED STATES F OR J VISA

CHECKLIST

DOCUMENTS

DESCRIPTION

Application Forms DS-156, DS-158, DS-157 (for 16 years of age and older)

Completed and signed. Blank forms are available at all U.S. consular offices.

Passport(s)

Should be valid for travel to the United States

With a validity date at least six months beyond the applicant's intended period of stay in the United States.

If more than one person is included in the passport, each person desiring a visa must make an application.

One photograph

Check the Visa Application for details.

Form I-20

For the "F" Visa applicant

Form DS-2019

For the "J" Visa applicant from your US school.

Bank statement, letter of offer for assistantship, etc.

For evidence of sufficient funds

Documents for strong ties

Student visa applicants must provide any proof to establish to the satisfaction of the consular officer:

Binding ties to the foreign country in which you are residing.

that you have no intention of abandoning it,

that you will depart the United States when having completed your studies.

An original receipt for visa processing fee

A receipt showing payment of the visa application fee (if paid online) for each applicant (including each child listed in a parent’s passport) is needed.

Receipt number for Sevis Fee Go the following web link for more information and links on how to pay the USDHS SEVIS fee: www.fmjfee.com

Original transcripts and diplomas

Original transcripts and diplomas from previous institutions attended.

Original test scores of TOEFL, GRE, GMAT, etc

Original test Scores from standardized tests required by the educational institution

Original documents for applicants with dependents

Proof of the student’s relationship to his/her spouse and/or children, i.e. marriage and birth certificates.

NOTE:

When picking up your US visa, you must read it carefully and check for typos: Your name, Birth date, Visa type/class, Sex, Nationality, Issue and expiration date, Annotation, etc.
Make sure that every item in your visa is correct and do not come to USA with errors in your US visa or passport.
Get them fixed before you come!!

TRAVELING TO UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

ARRIVING AT A U.S. PORT OF ENTRY FACT SHEETS
WHAT An EXCHANGE VISITOR ( J) CAN EXPECT
WHAT A STUDENT CAN EXPECT

Keep your passport, I-20 or DS-2019, Financial documents with you, never put them in your suitcases.
You must enter on the Visa and I-20 or DS-2019 from the school you plan to attend.
You must report in person to the school that issued you the I-20 or DS-2019 prior to transferring to any other institution in the U.S.
Maintain a positive attitude and do not engage the US ICE officer at the US Port of Entry in an argument. Have them contact Auburn University if there are problems or questions with your documents.
When checking in at POE, make sure that your passport, I-20 or DS-2019, and I-94 are properly stamped by US ICE officer, and check for errors (i.e. for example: F-1/DS, F-2/DS, J-1/DS, J-2/DS)

Created 01/06/2006, rev. 06/20/2008 11:39:29 AM

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