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News
Fall 2002 Travel Advisory for International Students and
Scholars
Purpose
This travel advisory has been prepared by the International Students
and Scholars Office (ISSO) to provide you with up-to-date information
on the many recent changes in federal regulations. In response
to the events of September 11, 2001, the United States Immigration
and Naturalization Service (USCIS) and the United States Department
of State (DOS) have instituted many important changes that you should
be aware of as they may significantly influence your travel plans.
This advisory will provide information about changes related to
the specific issues listed below.
- Applying for a U.S. visa stamp at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate
abroad
- Travel to Canada, Mexico and the adjacent islands (other than
Cuba)
Changes in policies and procedures have significantly increased
the processing times for visa stamp applications at U.S. Embassies
and Consulates. We anticipate more changes to come, therefore, the
information provided in this advisory is subject to change at any
time. If you intend to travel outside of the U.S., we strongly suggest
you contact your advisor at the ISSO so you may be given the most
current information available. In addition, we recommend
that you to contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate to which you intend
to apply for the visa to inquire about their specific application
process. A list of links to the websites of all U.S. Embassies
and Consulates abroad can be found at http://usembassy.state.gov/
New Procedures for Nonimmigrant Visa Applications
There have been a number of changes to the application procedures
for a nonimmigrant visa stamp. The changes have led to significant
delays in visa issuance. The major changes include:
- Supplementary nonimmigrant visa application forms DS-157 and
DS-158
- Required ISSO electronic notification requirement
- Additional security checks throughout the visa application process
1) Supplementary Nonimmigrant Visa Application Forms
DS-156 - All nonimmigrant visa applicants are required
to complete the Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form DS-156 to apply
for a nonimmigrant visa. This form can be obtained at the U.S. Embassy
or Consulate abroad as well as on the DOS website at: http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/forms/forms_1342.html.
Please be advised that the standard nonimmigrant visa application
fee increased from $65 to $100 effective November 1, 2002. Since the
events of September 11, 2001, the DOS has created two additional forms:
DS-157 - The Supplemental Nonimmigrant
Visa Application Form DS-157 is now required of all male visa
applicants between the ages of 16 and 45 regardless of their nationality
and regardless to which U.S. Embassy or Consulate they apply for
a visa. Please note that consular officials also have the discretion
to require any nonimmigrant visa applicant, regardless of age
or gender, to complete the Form DS-157, if deemed necessary.
The form requires the applicant to list all countries to which
he/she has traveled, previous employers and previous schools attended.
Please be prepared to provide this information. You may access
the form and download it from the DOS website at: http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/forms/forms_1342.html
DS-158
- The Contact Information and Work History for Nonimmigrant Visa
Application Form DS-158 is now required of all individuals applying
for student visas. The form requires the applicant to list contact
information of family members and a work history that includes
dates and contact information of previous employers. Applicants
should be prepared to provide this detailed information. It may
be advisable to bring a CV or resume with you. You may access
the form and download it from the DOS website at: http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/forms/forms_1342.html
2) Electronic Notification
Effective September 11, 2002, the DOS requires that academic institutions
or exchange programs send electronic evidence of acceptance, or
continued attendance of each student or exchange visitor and all
dependents applying for a visa. If you or any of your dependent
family members are planning to apply for a new visa stamp while
abroad, you must contact the ISSO before you depart the U.S. as
we are now required to confirm your eligibility for a visa in a
new DOS database. We are required to enter your specific information
into the Interim Student and Exchange Authentication System (ISEAS).
The U.S. Embassy or Consulate will not issue a visa stamp to you
or to your dependent family members without an electronic confirmation
from the ISEAS system.
3) Security Checks
The DOS has been performing additional security checks at all U.S.
Embassies and Consulates for visa applicants between the ages of
16 and 45 from predominantly Arab and Muslim countries. Although
the DOS has not published an official list of countries, it is likely
that these new procedures apply to citizens of the following countries:
Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Cuba, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Indonesia,
Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Morocco, North
Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria,
Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen
it was estimated that applications that were subject to the security
check would take approximately 20 additional business days to be processed.
However, due to the heavy volume of applications and the existing
backlog, the checks now could take anywhere from 20 business days
to several months. Citizens of the above-mentioned countries, who
plan to travel and apply for a new visa stamp, must be aware that
the process could take much longer than it has it has in the past.
even if you are not from one of the countries listed above yet plan
to travel and apply for a new visa stamp, we recommend that you consult
an advisor in our office. The consular official will determine if
you are subject to a security check based on a number of different
sources of information including, but not limited to, your application
forms. Security checks are not limited to citizens of the countries
listed above and are at the discretion of the visa officer. If your
application is subject to a security check you will most likely experience
a significant delay in your visa issuance. An advisor at the ISSO
may be able to help you determine if you may be subject to a security
clearance. Please recognize that potential delays in visa application
processing may make it impossible for you to return to resume your
studies on time. Therefore, if you need a new visa, please seriously
consider your travel plans. Travel over winter intercession is of
particular concern since typically the U.S. Embassies and Consulates
experience a high volume of visa applications during that period and
many offices close or reduce their hours during the holidays.
if citizens of the above-mentioned countries applying for a visa
stamp at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in a third country, must remain
in that third country while they wait for visa approval. Please
also be reminded that citizens of countries on the DOS's list of
"states that sponsor terrorism" (currently Iraq, Iran, Libya, Sudan,
Syria, North Korea and Cuba) are prohibited from applying for visas
at U.S. Embassies or Consulates in third countries.
Changes in visits to Canada, Mexico or Adjacent
islands with Expired US visa stamps
As of April 1, 2002, there have been two significant changes to the
automatic visa revalidation benefit. automatic visa revalidation allows
nonimmigrant visa holders to travel to "contiguous territories"
(Canada, Mexico and the adjacent islands, except Cuba) for a visit
of 30 days or fewer, and return to the U.S. with an expired U.S. visa
stamp, provided they entered the U.S. in a nonimmigrant visa category
have and are maintaining valid nonimmigrant status. The adjacent
islands include: The Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Hispaniola (Haiti
and the Dominican Republic), Jamaica, Martinique, St. Pierre and Miquelon,
Trinidad and Tobago, The Leeward Islands (Anguilla, Antigua, Guadeloupe,
Nevis, St. Kitts and the British Virgin Islands), the Windward Islands
(Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent) and other British,
French or Dutch territories or possessions in or bordering on the
Caribbean Sea.
The two changes to this policy are as follows:
- Citizens of certain countries are no longer eligible for Automatic
Visa Revalidation
- Nonimmigrant visa applicants who are denied a visa are no longer
eligible for Automatic Visa Revalidation
1. Citizens of certain countries are no longer eligible
for Automatic Visa Revalidation
Citizens of countries identified by the department of State
as a "state that sponsors terrorism" (currently Iraq, Iran, Libya,
Sudan, Syria, North Korea and Cuba) are no longer eligible for Automatic
Visa Revalidation. Please be advised that the countries included
on this list are subject to change.
2. Individuals who apply for a new visa stamp are not
eligible for Automatic Visa Revalidation while their application
is pending or if they are denied a visa
An individual who chooses to apply for a nonimmigrant visa stamp
at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in a contiguous territory (Canada,
Mexico or the adjacent islands, except Cuba) is not eligible to
return to the U.S. while the application is pending or if the application
is denied at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
If the visa application is denied, the applicant will be required
to travel directly elsewhere (most likely to their home country)
to apply again for a U.S. visa stamp before they may return to the
U.S. Please note that this new restriction applies to citizens
of all countries, not just the 7 countries listed above.
In summary, individuals traveling to the contiguous territories
(Canada, Mexico and the adjacent islands, except Cuba) for a stay
of 30 days or fewer who have an expired U.S. visa, valid passport,
valid immigration documents (i.e. I-20. IAP66 or DS2019) and a valid
I-94 card are still eligible for Automatic Visa Revalidation unless
they are citizens of one of the 7 countries listed above that are
considered by the DOS as "states that sponsor terrorism" or they
apply for a visa stamp and are denied. All others are eligible to
take advantage of automatic visa revalidation and return to the
U.S. with an expired visa stamp.
Additional Information
The ISSO is pleased to provide you with information, advice, and assistance
on any visa or immigration matter, which relates to your activities
at Boston University. If you have any questions or would like additional
information, please visit our office or call to make an appointment
to meet with your ISSO Advisor.
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