EVIDENCE 2 HOW TO GET THE

VISA FOR USA

Ealeen Scheyder Gordo Sanchez

Studying in the U.S. (F & M)

Visa Categories

Nonimmigrant visas allow for temporary stays in the United States. Listed below are the general categories of nonimmigrant visas you can apply for at the U.S. Embassy in Bogota.

For detailed information on all types of visas and temporary travel, please visit the U.S. State Department’s website regarding travel for temporary visitors to the U.S.

• Tourism and Business (B1/B2)• Studying in the U.S. (F & M)• Exchange Programs – Au Pairs, Summer

Work Travel, Bilingual Teachers, etc. (J)• Temporary Workers (H, L, O, P)• Religious Workers (R)• Domestic Employees (B1, A-3, G-5)• Members of a Commercial Ship or Flight

Crew (C1,D)• Traders and Investors (E1, E2)• Press & Media (I)• Diplomats and Officials (A, G, C-3)• Human Trafficking and victims of Crime

(S,T,&U)

TIPES

Studying in the U.S. (F & M)

In March 2011, President Barack Obama launched "100,000 Strong in the Americas," an initiative to increase international study in the Western Hemisphere. The purpose of 100,000 Strong is to foster region-wide prosperity through greater international exchange of qualified students, who are our future leaders and innovators.

Applicants who wish to study in the United States should apply for an F or M visa. An applicant who wants to study in an academic program, such as at a university or intensive English language institute, must apply for an F visa. An applicant who wants to study in a vocational or nonacademic program, such as a culinary institute or flight training, must apply for an M visa.

If you are a student, the U.S. Embassy will make every effort to ensure that you get an appointment and, if qualified, a visa in time to start classes. Appointments for students and Exchange Program participants are generally available within three business days.

A complete overview of student visas can be found on the following websites:

• Travel.state.gov – Student Visas (in English)

• Education USA (in English and Spanish)• ICE – Student and Exchange Visitor

Program• Study in the USA

REQUIREMENTS

Once you have applied for and have been accepted into a certified school in the U.S, then you may apply for a student visa, following the instructions on the How to Apply for a Visa page. Please apply as early as possible to provide ample time for visa processing. The Immigration and Nationality Act is very specific about the requirements which must be met to qualify for a student visa. An applicant must demonstrate the following:

• Acceptance at a school• Possession of sufficient funds to pursue the

proposed course of study• Preparation for the course of study• Intention to leave the United States upon

completion of the course of study• Unless coming to participate exclusively in an

English language program, sufficient knowledge of the English language to undertake the course of study

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

The required documents for this type of application are the following:

• A valid passport• The confirmation page from the DS-

160 Application form• A photograph (for requirements see

TIPS for the DS-160 ) • Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for

Student Status• SEVIS Fee Receipt

• Visa ValidityStudent visas for Colombian citizens are issued for up to five years, depending on the duration of the program.

• Family MembersSpouses and children under the age of 21, can apply for and receive derivative F-2 or M-2 visas to accompany or followtojoin the principal applicant in the United States. Derivatives receive the same visa validity as the principal applicant.

• Employment as a studentStudents on F visas may be able to work during their studies under certain conditions with permission from the Department of Homeland Security. Students on either F or M visas may work after their studies under three different practical training programs (curricular, option, or STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). When authorized, practical training is temporary employment directly related to the student’s area of study. To learn more, please refer to the ICE Student and Exchange Visitor Program.

• TourismIf you are planning to travel to the United States primarily for tourism but want to take a short course of study that is recreational, and the course is less than 18 hours per week, you may be able to do so on a B-1/B-2 visa. However, if your primary purpose of travel is to study, you will need a student visa.

The Personal Interview with a Consular Officer

The personal interview with a consular officer and the information that the applicant provides in writing on the online DS 160 application form are critical elements of the visa process. As a result of the large number of people applying for visas each day, the interviews are often short.It is essential that the visa applicant be able to describe a clear, coherent travel plan and provide accurate answers to all written and oral questions. Inconsistent, inaccurate or unrealistic answers make it difficult for the consular officer to conclude that the proposed trip is temporary in nature, or that the applicant is otherwise qualified for a visa.

For information on what to bring to your interview, see our list of Required Documents.Please be aware of the following when you come to your appointment:Arrival at the EmbassyPlease arrive at the Embassy at the time of your scheduled appointment and no sooner. Applicants who arrive late will not be admitted and will have to contact the CSC Visa Information Center to request a new interview date.

SecurityWe do not permit third parties to attend nonimmigrant visa interviews. This rule also applies to third parties who are U.S. Citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents. Only the visa applicant will be admitted, unless the applicant is a minor or senior citizen. Minors may only be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. On a case-by-case basis, the Embassy will allow visa applicants with disabilities or other special needs to be accompanied. You will be screened by security personnel before entry.  Certain items are not permitted inside the Visa Waiting Area.Interview ProceduresOn the day of your interview, you will pass through 3 stations:Application Processing (where your application and required documents will be reviewed)Verification of fingerprintsThe Interview with the Consular Officer

After the Interview

We suggest that all applicants apply well in advance of planned travel to ensure there is enough time for visa processing. Please do not purchase nonrefundable airplane tickets until you have your visa.

If your visa application is approved… 

You will receive an email with additional information in the next few weeks. Your passport will be delivered to the DHL location you selected when you made your appointment through the CSC Visa Information Service. Please bring your official identification and DHL Waybill number in order to pick it up.In the event there is an emergency or other compelling reason that you must travel immediately, you may ask the consular officer during your interview to expedite the delivery process.Note: Passports (with visa) must be claimed from DHL within 30 days of delivery.

If your visa application is still pending…If your case was refused under a “221 (g)”  of the Immigration and Nationality Act for more information, administrative processing, or a decision on a waiver of an ineligibility, it could take significantly more time for you to receive your passport and visa  – on average 90 additional business days.  You may check the status of your application online by following the instructions on the Visa Application Status page. No further information is necessary unless you are contacted by an Embassy representative.

If your visa application is refused…If your visa was refused, you will receive your passport back on the day of the interview with a written explanation of the reason for refusal. For more information on reasons for refusal, see our Refusals page.

Traveling to the U.S.

A U.S. nonimmigrant visa gives you permission to travel to the United States, but does not guarantee your entrance nor determine the length of time you will be allowed to stay. When you arrive to the U.S., an immigration officer from U.S. Customs and Border Protection of the Department of Homeland Security makes the decision as to whether or not to admit you into the United States and how long you may stay.The officer will review your passport, visa and capture your photo and fingerprints. If you are approved for entry, you will be directed to the baggage and customs inspection areas to collect your luggage.

In most cases, CBP will no longer process the paper form upon arrival. Instead, travelers will be provided with a CBP admission stamp in their travel document. If you have further questions regarding this new system, please consult the Department of Homeland Security website: www.cbp.gov/I94.For information on destinations in the U.S., please visit Discover America.

CIBERGRAPHY• http://spanish.bogota.usembassy.gov/visas_de_no

_inmigrante-/despus-de-la-entrevista.html• http://bogota.usembassy.gov/nonimmigrant_visas/

after-the-interview.html