|
|
Renewing
Your J-1 Visa
Consular Policies and Procedures
You should expect that the visa application and issuance procedures
might have changed since you last obtained a visa. Most U.S. Embassy and Consulate
Websites offer good information on these procedures, but be
aware that websites may not have been updated to reflect recent
changes in policies and procedures. The most current information
can be obtained by contacting the consular office where you would
like to apply for a visa.
Applying in a Country Where You Are Not a Citizen
If you would like to apply for a visa at a U.S. Consulate in a
country that is not your country of citizenship, you should resarch
the specific visa application requirements. You should also contact
that consulate, inform them of your country of citizenship, and
ask (1) if they will accept and consider your application, and
(2) approximately how long it will take for the visa to be issued,
if approved.
It is possible that
it will be more difficult, and in some cases perhaps even impossible,
to obtain a visa from a U.S. Consulate which is not located in
your country of citizenship or lawful permanent residence.
Click
here to find out how long it will take to get a visa application
appointment at a U.S. Consulate.
Applying in Canada, Mexico or the Adjacent Islands
Any nonimmigrant who applies for a visa stamp at a U.S. Embassy
or Consulate while in Canada, Mexico or (for those in F or J status)
the adjacent islands, will not be allowed to take advantage of
the Automatic Visa
Revalidation provision to return to the U.S. If the visa
is denied, the nonimmigrant will be required to travel elsewhere
(most likely the home country) to apply for the U.S. visa stamp
before returning to the U.S. Please note that this new restriction
applies to citizens from all countries.
Documents
To renew your J-1 visa, you will need to submit the following documents
to a U.S. Embassy or Consulate (forms can be downloaded, or obtained
from any U.S. Consulate):
- Form
DS-156 or Form
DS-160 (the electronic version of the DS-156), Application
for Nonimmigrant Visa
- Form
DS-157, Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application
(Generally required of all male applicants between the ages of
16 and 45. Check with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where
you are applying for additional requirements.)
- Form
DS-158, Contact Information and Work History
for Nonimmigrant Visa Applicant
- Application fee (check with the consulate for the current fee
amount and how it must be paid)
- One photograph (2 inches square [51 x 51mm], showing full face,
without head covering, against a light background)
- Passport
- Your current DS-2019 (see below)
- Proof of continued enrollment at Boston University (see below)
- Original financial documents proving the availability of sufficient
funds (see below)
- Documents that demonstrate
your "nonimmigrant intent" (i.e., proof that you will
return home after your studies)
Preparations before you leave the U.S.
USCIS Form DS-2019
You need to request a travel signature from the ISSO
if you do not already have one, or if you have a travel signature
that will be more than a year old at the time you wish to return
to the U.S. (Travel signature must be less than 6 months
old for travel to Canada, Mexico or the adjacent islands.)
Proof of Continued
Attendance - We suggest that you visit the ISSO and request
a Certificate of Enrollment that verifies you are a full-time
student at Boston University.
Financial Documents
If the documents that prove you have sufficient funds to support
your education in the U.S. will be more than twelve months old
at the time you apply for a new visa, we recommend that you arrange
to submit new financial documents with your visa application as
proof that your funding is still valid. If all or any part of
your funding comes from Boston University (e.g., scholarship,
teaching fellowship, research assistantship), we recommend that
you obtain a letter or document verifying the continued validity
and amount of the award. If all or any part of your funding comes
from other sources (e.g., family funds, government scholarship,
loan), we recommend that you obtain a letter or document verifying
the amount and continued availability of funding.
|
