Transcript Welcoming Remarks - Weizmann Institute of Science

US Embassy Tel Aviv
Student Visa Program
Weizmann Institute
Belfer Auditorium
October 5, 2010
Student and Exchange Visitors Visa
Program
• Exchange Visitor: J Visa
• Student Visitor: F Visa
• Applying for a visa: before, during and after the
Interview
• Travel to and status in the United States
• Additional Questions
Exchange Visitor Visa: Quick Facts
• Exchange visitors must apply for (J) visas
• J-1 applicants receive Form DS-2019 and
complete DS-160.
• US law requires that J-1 visa interviews be
conducted in English.
Student Visa: Quick Facts
• Degree seeking students must apply for visitor
(F) nonimmigrant visa
• F-1 applicants receive Form I-20 and complete
DS-160.
• US law requires that F-1 visa interviews be
conducted in English.
Before the Interview
• Gain acceptance to a SEVP certified school or
exchange visitor program
• The educational institution will submit your
information to DHS to create a SEVIS generated
1-20 (for students) or DS-2019 (for exchange
visitors)
What is SEVIS?
• Student and Exchange Visitor Information
System (SEVIS) helps the US government
keep track of international students and
exchange visitors.
• A specific number will be assigned to you and
printed on your visa, beginning with N000.
Be Prepared
• Apply early to give ample time for visa
processing
• Do not finalize travel plans or purchase
nonrefundable tickets until the visa has been
issued
For the Interview
• Fill out the DS-160 electronically and print
confirmation page.
• 5 cm x 5 cm color photograph
• Machine Readable Visa (MRV) green receipt.
• Original DS 2019 (for Exchange Visitors) or
I-20 (for Students).
For the Interview Cont.
• Previous passports with US visas
• Evidence of financial means: statement
from your bank, proof of scholarship, etc.
• If you have a scientific or technical
background, bring copy of CV and letters
of invitation from the sponsoring
institution
Arrival and Departure
• Participants must arrive within 30 days of the
beginning of the program.
• Participants will be able to stay for the
duration of the program.
• J-1 have 30 days to depart the US.
• F-1 have 60 days to depart the US or transfer
to another school.
Staying in Status
• If you depart the US with an expired visa,
you will need to obtain a new one before
returning
• It is important that you depart the US on
or before the last day authorized by DHS
• Violating US immigration laws may cause
you to be ineligible for a visa in the future
Accompanying Family Members
• Spouses and children may apply for
"derivative" visas (J-2/F-2)
• J-2 visa holders may study but may not
work unless they have permission from
USCIS
• F-2 visa holders may study but may not
work in the US.
Spouse Employment
• Form I-765 Application for Employment
Authorization
• Include copy of J-1 (principal alien’s)
Certificate of Eligibility (Form IAP-66)
• Filing fee ($340) and two passport photos
• May be filed electronically – see USCIS
website for more details
Required Documents for Departure
• Passport with valid visa.
• DS-2019 or I-20 in sealed envelope
attached to your passport
▫ Customs and Border Patrol officers will open the
envelope when you arrive in the US.
• Phone number of the point of contact at
your program.
2 Year Home-Country Physical
Presence Requirement
• Exchange Visitor Program participants
with the Fulbright Program will be subject
to the two-year home-country physical
presence requirement.
How Do I Open a Business in the US?
• The Treaty Trader (E-1) or Treaty Investor
(E-2) visa
• For aliens coming to the US to carry on
substantial trade in services or technology
or to develop and direct operations of an
enterprise
• DS-160 and DS-156E
How Do I Apply for a Green Card?
• To apply for an immigrant visa, a foreign
citizen must be sponsored by a U.S. citizen
relative(s), U.S. lawful permanent
resident, or by a prospective employer,
and be the beneficiary of an approved
petition.
What if we are European Citizens?
• Citizens of Visa Waiver countries may
travel without visas by filing ESTA
applications
• The purpose of stay in the United States
must tourism or business for a maximum
of 90 days
Questions?