Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
On this page:
- FAQ - General Visa Information
- FAQ - Visa Refusals
- FAQ - Business/Tourist Visa
- FAQ - Work Visa
- FAQ - Student Visa
- FAQ - Exchange Visitor Visa
- FAQ - Transit/Ship Crew Visa
- FAQ - Religious Worker Visa
- FAQ - Track My Passport
- FAQ - Application Profile
FAQ - General Visa Information
- How long does my passport have to be valid in order to apply for a U.S. visa?
- Do I qualify for the Visa Waiver Program?
- What is the fee for ESTA and who has to pay it?
- If I travel to the United States without ESTA, what happens?
- If I am a third-country national living in the Tunisia can I apply for a nonimmigrant visa in Tunisia?
- Do all nonimmigrant visa applicants have to come to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General for an interview?
- I have a nonimmigrant visa that will expire soon and I would like to renew it. Do I need to go through the whole visa application process again?
- My passport has expired, but the U.S. visa in it is still valid. Do I need to apply for a new visa?
- I have dual citizenship. Which passport should I use to travel to the United States?
- How can I extend my visa?
- Must I submit my visa application form electronically?
- What is "administrative processing?"
- How do I read and understand my visa?
- My visa will expire while I am in the United States. Is there a problem with that?
- What will happen when I enter the United States?
- I did not turn in my I-94 when I left the United States. What should I do?
- I have questions on submitting my DS-160 and printing the confirmation page. Where can I go for more information?
- I changed my name. Is my U.S. visa with my old name still valid?
Q.1 How long does my passport have to be valid in order to apply for a U.S. visa?
You must possess a passport valid for travel to the United States with a validity date at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the United States (unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions).
Q.2 Do I qualify for the Visa Waiver Program?
You qualify for the Visa Waiver Program if you are a citizen of a Visa Waiver Program country, possess a machine-readable passport, are traveling for temporary business or a visit of less than 90 days, meet other program requirements, and have obtained an authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
You must be a citizen of a Visa Waiver Program-eligible country in order to use this program. Permanent residents of VWP-eligible countries do not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program unless they are also citizens of VWP-eligible countries. We recommend you visit the Visa Waiver Program website before any travel to the United States to determine if you are eligible for the VWP.
Q.3 What is the fee for ESTA and who has to pay it?
ESTA registration is required for all travelers to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. There is a US$14 fee for ESTA registration. The fee can be paid online using a debit card or any of the following credit cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover. Third parties (travel agents, family members, etc.) can pay your ESTA fee for you if you do not have the correct type of credit card. If the ESTA registration is denied, the fee is only US$4.
Q.4 If I travel to the United States without ESTA, what happens?
Visa Waiver Program travelers who have not obtained approval through ESTA should expect to be denied boarding on any air carrier bound for the United States. If you are allowed to board, you can expect to encounter significant delays and possible denial of admission at the U.S. port of entry (i.e., arrival airport). ESTA registration usually only takes a few minutes to complete, authorization often arrives in seconds, and it is valid for two years, unless the traveler’s passport expires within that two-year period. In those cases, ESTA validity is limited to the passport’s validity.
Q.5 If I am a third-country national living in the Tunisia, can I apply for a nonimmigrant visa in Tunisia?
Applicants are generally advised to apply in their country of nationality or residence. Any person who is legally present in Tunisia may apply for a visa in Tunisia. However, applicants should decide where to apply based on more than just convenience or delay in getting an appointment in their home district. One thing to consider, for example, is in which consular district the applicant can demonstrate the strongest ties.
There is no guarantee that a visa will be issued, nor is there a guarantee of processing time. If refused, there is no refund of the application fee.
Q.6 Do all nonimmigrant visa applicants have to come to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General for an interview?
Yes, for most applicants. There are only a few exceptions to the interview requirement. The following applicants generally do not have to appear in person:
- Applicants for A-1, A-2 (official travelers on central government business), C-2, C-3 (central government officials in transit on central government business) or G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4 (central government officials traveling in connection with an international organization, or employees of an international organization)
- Children under the age of 14 if their parents have a valid nonimmigrant visa.
Q.7 I have a nonimmigrant visa that will expire soon and I would like to renew it. Do I need to go through the whole visa application process again?
Each nonimmigrant visa application is a separate process. You must apply in the normal manner, even if you had a visa before and even if your current nonimmigrant visa is still valid.
Q.8 My passport has expired, but the U.S. visa in it is still valid. Do I need to apply for a new visa?
No. If your visa is still valid you can travel to the United States with your two passports (old and new), as long as the visa is valid, not damaged, and is the appropriate type of visa required for your principal purpose of travel. (Example: tourist visa, when your principal purpose of travel is tourism). Also, the name and other personal data should be the same in both passports. Your nationality, as indicated in the new passport, must be the same as that shown in the passport bearing the visa.
Q.9 I have dual citizenship. Which passport should I use to travel to the United States?
If one of your nationalities is not American, you can apply using whichever nationality you prefer, but you must disclose all nationalities to the U.S. Embassy on your application form. U.S. citizens, even dual citizens/nationals, must enter and depart the United States using a U.S. passport.
Q.10 How can I extend my visa?
The validity of a visa cannot be extended regardless of its type. You must apply for a new visa.
Q.11 Must I submit my visa application form electronically?
Yes, you must complete the DS-160 and bring a printed copy of the DS-160 confirmation page with you when you go for your interview at the U.S. Embassy.
Q.12 What is "administrative processing?"
Some visa applications require further administrative processing, which takes additional time after your interview with a consular officer. You are advised of this possibility when they apply. Most administrative processing is resolved within 120 days of the visa interview. This web page on the Consular Affairs website has more information about administrative processing.
Q.13 How do I read and understand my visa?
As soon as you receive your visa, check to make sure all your personal information printed on the visa is correct. If any of the information on your visa does not match the information in your passport or is otherwise incorrect, please contact the issuing authority (i.e. the) immediately.
The expiration date of your visa is the last day you may use the visa to enter the United States. It does not indicate how long you may stay in the United States. Your stay is determined by the Department of Homeland Security at your port of entry. As long as you comply with the Department of Homeland Security decision on the conditions of your stay, you should have no problem.
Further information about interpreting your visa can be found at the Department of State's Consular Affairs website.
Q.14 My visa will expire while I am in the United States. Is there a problem with that?
No. You may stay in the United States for the period of time and conditions authorized by the Department of Homeland Security officer when you arrived in the United States, which will be noted on the I-94, even if your visa expires during your stay. You can find more information here.
Q.15 What will happen when I enter the United States?
Your airline should give you a blank Customs Declaration form 6059B. Only one Customs Declaration is required for a family traveling together.
A visa does not guarantee entry into the United States, but allows a foreign citizen coming from abroad to travel to a U.S. port of entry and request permission to enter the United States. The Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials have authority to permit or deny admission to the United States, and determine how long a traveler may stay. At the port of entry, upon granting entry to the United States, the Customs and Border Protection officer will determine the length of stay permitted. Previously, travelers received a paper I-94 (record of admission) with this information. This process is now automated, with some exceptions. The traveler will be provided with a CBP admission stamp on their travel document that shows the date of admission, class of admission, and admitted-until date. Learn more on the CBP Website. If a traveler needs a copy of their I-94 for verification of alien registration, immigration status or employment authorization, it can be obtained from www.cbp.gov/I94. You can review information about admission on the CBP Website.
Q.16 I did not turn in my I-94 when I left the United States. What should I do?
Previously, foreign travelers granted entry by CBP officials received a paper Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record). This process is now automated, with some exceptions. If you received a paper Form I-94 or I-94W and failed to turn in your paper Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record to the commercial airline or CBP when you departed the U.S., see the CBP Website for instructions. Do not send your paper Form I-94 or I-94W to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General.
If you received an admissions stamp in your passport instead of a paper Form I-94 when granted entry, the I-94 record was created electronically, and a paper copy was not provided to you. CBP will record your departure from the U.S. electronically. Learn more on the CBP Website.
Q.17 I have questions on submitting my DS-160 and printing the confirmation page. Where can I go for more information?
Our call center is unable to provide assistance on the application form. Any inquiries on completing the DS-160 can be addressed on the following website.
Q.18 I changed my name. Is my U.S. visa with my old name still valid?
If your name has legally changed through marriage, divorce, or a court ordered name change, you will need to obtain a new passport. Once you have a new passport, the Department of State recommends that you apply for a new U.S. visa to make it easier for you to travel to and from the United States.
FAQ - Visa Refusals
- What is Section 214(b)?
- How can an applicant prove "strong ties?"
- Is a denial under Section 214(b) permanent?
- Who can influence the consular officer to reverse a decision?
The United States is an open society. Unlike many other countries, the United States does not impose internal controls on most visitors, such as registration with local authorities. Our immigration law requires consular officers to view every visa applicant as an intending immigrant until the applicant proves otherwise. In order to enjoy the privilege of unencumbered travel in the United States, you have a responsibility to prove you are going to return abroad before a visitor or student visa is issued.
Q.1 What Is Section 214(b)?
Section 214(b) is part of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). It states:
Every alien shall be presumed to be an immigrant until he establishes to the satisfaction of the consular officer, at the time of application for admission, that he is entitled to a nonimmigrant status.
Our consular officers have a difficult job. They must decide in a very short time if someone is qualified to receive a temporary visa. Most cases are decided after a brief interview and review of whatever evidence of ties an applicant presents. To qualify for a visitor or student visa, an applicant must meet the requirements of sections 101(a)(15)(B) or (F) of the INA respectively. Failure to do so will result in a refusal of a visa under INA 214(b). The most frequent basis for such a refusal concerns the requirement that the prospective visitor or student possess a residence abroad he or she has no intention of abandoning. Applicants prove the existence of such residence by demonstrating that they have ties abroad that would compel them to leave the United States at the end of the temporary stay. The law places this burden of proof on the applicant.
Q.2 How can an applicant prove "strong ties?"
Strong ties differ from country to country, city to city, and individual to individual. Some examples of ties can be a job, a house, a family, a bank account. "Ties" are the various aspects of your life that bind you to your country of residence: your possessions, employment, social and family relationships.
Imagine your own ties in the country where you live. Would a consular office of another country consider that you have a residence there that you do not intend to abandon? It is likely that the answer would be "yes" if you have a job, a family, if you own or rent a house or apartment, or if you have other commitments that would require you to return to your country at the conclusion of a visit abroad. Each person's situation is different.
U.S. consular officers are aware of this diversity. During the visa interview they look at each application individually and consider professional, social, cultural and other factors. In cases of younger applicants who may not have had an opportunity to form many ties, consular officers may look at the applicants specific intentions, family situations, and long-range plans and prospects within his or her country of residence. Each case is examined individually and is accorded every consideration under the law.
Q.3 Is a denial under Section 214(b) permanent?
No. The consular officer will reconsider a case if an applicant can show further convincing evidence of ties outside the United States. Unfortunately, some applicants will not qualify for a nonimmigrant visa, regardless of how many times they reapply, until their personal, professional, and financial circumstances change considerably.
An applicant refused under Section 214(b) should review carefully their situation and realistically evaluate their ties. They may write down on paper what qualifying ties they think they have which may not have been evaluated at the time of their interview with the consular officer. Also, if they have been refused, they should review what documents were submitted for the consul to consider. Applicants refused visas under section 214(b) may reapply for a visa. When they do, they will have to show further evidence of their ties or how their circumstances have changed since the time of the original application. It may help to answer the following questions before reapplying: (1) Did I explain my situation accurately? (2) Did the consular officer overlook something? (3) Is there any additional information I can present to establish my residence and strong ties abroad?
Applicants should also bear in mind that they will be charged a nonrefundable application fee each time they apply for a visa, regardless of whether a visa is issued.
Q.4 Who can influence the consular officer to reverse a decision?
Immigration law delegates the responsibility for issuance or refusal of visas to consular officers overseas. They have the final say on all visa cases. By regulation, the U.S. Department of State has authority to review consular decisions, but this authority is limited to the interpretation of law, as contrasted to determinations of facts. The question at issue in such denials, whether an applicant possesses the required residence abroad, is a factual one. Therefore, it falls exclusively within the authority of consular officers at our Foreign Service posts to resolve. An applicant can influence the post to change a prior visa denial only through the presentation of new convincing evidence of strong ties.
For information about visa ineligibilities other than 214(b), please visit the Department of State's Consular Affairs website.
FAQ - Business/Tourist Visa
- How long can I stay in the United States on a tourist or business visa?
- My visitor visa (B-1/B-2) expires after my intended date of arrival in the United States. Do I need to get a new visa before departure?
- My U.S. visa will expire in the next 6 months. Do I need to apply for a new visa after my current visa expires or can I apply in advance?
- I currently hold a valid B-1/B-2 visa, which is in my maiden name, in my old passport. I wish to transfer this visa to my new passport, which is in my married name. What is the procedure?
- My current U.S. visa was issued to me when I was working in my previous job. Now I have changed to a new job at a new company and my new employer wants me to attend a conference in the United States scheduled for next month. Can I use the same visa or do I have to apply for a new visa?
- My child is studying in the United States. Can I go live with him?
Q.1 How long can I stay in the United States on a tourist or business visa?
A U.S. nonimmigrant visa grants you permission to travel to a Port of Entry (airport/seaport) in the United States. When you arrive at your destination Port of Entry, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer who processes your entry will determine the length of time that you may remain in the country. You may travel to the Port of Entry during the validity of your nonimmigrant visa up to and including the last day the visa is valid. The visa duration does not determine the length of time that you may legally remain in the United States; only the Customs and Border Protection officer can decide this upon your arrival in the United States.
Q.2 My visitor visa (B-1/B-2) expires after my intended date of arrival in the United States. Do I need to get a new visa before departure?
You can arrive in the United States right up to the last date of validity indicated on the visa. The Customs and Border Protection officer on arrival determines the duration of your stay in the United States. Your visa can expire while you are still in the United States – just be sure that you do not overstay the period of time the officer grants.
Q.3 My U.S. visa will expire in the next 6 months. Do I need to apply for a new visa after my current visa expires or can I apply in advance?
You do not have to wait until your current visa expires. You can apply for a new visa even if your current visa is valid.
Q.4 I currently hold a valid B-1/B-2 visa, which is in my maiden name, in my old passport. I wish to transfer this visa to my new passport, which is in my married name. What is the procedure?
U.S. visas cannot be transferred from one passport to another. You can travel to the United States with both passports as well as your marriage certificate, or you can apply for a new visa.
Q.5 My current U.S. visa was issued to me when I was working in my previous job. Now I have changed to a new job at a new company and my new employer wants me to attend a conference in the United States scheduled for next month. Can I use the same visa or do I have to apply for a new visa?
You can travel to the United States on the same visa as long as your visa is valid for business or pleasure.
Q.6 My child is studying in the United States. Can I go live with him?
While you can use your own B-1/B-2 visa (or travel under the Visa Waiver Program, if eligible) to visit your child, you may not live with your child unless you have your own immigrant, work, or student visa.
FAQ - Work Visa
- What is a petition?
- Can I get a visa to do casual work?
- Is there an age limit for applying for a temporary work visa?
- Can my U.S.-based relative sponsor me for a work visa?
- When can I enter the United States?
- Who pays the Fraud Prevention and Detection fee and when do they pay it?
Q.1 What is a petition?
Before applying for a temporary worker visa at the U.S. Embassy you must have an approved Form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker, from USCIS. This petition must be submitted by your prospective employer no earlier than 6 months prior to your proposed employment start date. Your employer should file the petition as soon as possible within the 6-month period to allow adequate time for processing. Once approved, your employer will be sent Form I-797, Notice of Action. For more information, visit the USCIS Temporary Workers webpage.
Note: To verify your petition's approval the U.S. Embassy needs your I-129 petition receipt number, along with your approved Form I-797. Please bring both of these to your interview.
Q.2 Can I get a visa to do casual work?
No. There is no visa that covers casual work. All applicants who plan to work in the United States must have an approved petition prior to their visa appointment.
Q.3 Is there an age limit for applying for a temporary work visa?
No.
Q.4 Can my U.S.-based relative sponsor me for a work visa?
No. Only your employer can sponsor you.
Q.5 When can I enter the United States?
You may not enter the United States until 10 days prior to your initial employment start date, as noted on your Form I-797 or on your offer of employment letter.
Q.6 Who pays the Fraud Prevention and Detection fee and when do they pay it?
An applicant for an L-1 visa traveling on a blanket petition must pay the Fraud Prevention and Detection fee. On individual L, H-1B and H-2B petitions, the U.S. petitioner pays the Fraud Prevention and Detection fee to USCIS when the petition is filed.
FAQ - Student Visa
- What is an I-20 and how do I get it?
- How early should I apply for my student visa?
- I received my visa, when should I travel?
- Can a person on a visitor visa change his or her status to student while in the United States if he or she gains admission to a school and gets a Form I-20?
- What if I receive an I-20 to a different school?
- I was working as an H-1B and have now been admitted to a university as an F-1. Do I need to return to my country to apply for a student visa?
- Can an F-1 student work in the United States?
- What is the SEVIS system and how does it affect me?
- If I previously studied on a student visa in the United States (and that visa is still valid), do I need a new F-1 visa to return to the United States to attend a different school?
- When should I apply for student visa renewal?
- Can I renew my student visa in the United States?
- Can my brother/sister/mother/father accompany me to the United States as a dependent?
- I’m also a U.S. citizen. Can I get a F-1 student visa and/or can my husband/wife and children receive a F-2 dependent visa?
- Can I bring my maid on a visa with me to the United States if I’m going on a student visa?
- What if my F-1 visa expires while I’m in the United States?
- When must I renew my F-1 visa?
- How long can I remain in the United States on my student visa after I complete my studies?
- Can I enter the United States on my F-1 visa after the date of study listed on my I-20?
- What if the Embassy/Consulate keeps my passport, but I don’t hear anything for weeks? Is the visa still being processed?
- Can I go on vacation to Mexico and return to the United States to study on my F-1 student visa?
- If I change schools, do I need to get a new visa?
- My academic program is starting very soon but there are no more appointments available this month. What should I do?
- It is three days before the start date on my I-20 and my visa is still being processed. What should I do?
- I am already in the United States studying but my spouse would like to apply for a visa and join me here. What does she/he need to bring to the interview?
- I am an umarried female student going to study in the United States. Can my father (or my brother) receive a student visa to accompany me to the United States?
- Will my student visa still be valid if I do not travel when I originally intended to?
- If I want to go earlier than 30 days prior to the start date of my I-20, can I go on my tourist visa (B1/B2), leave the United States by crossing an international border, then come back into the United States on my student visa?
- If I transfer to another school or from English Language Study (ELS) to my university, how to I change the visa?
- My dependent spouse on an F-2 visa is thinking about studying in the United States. Does he/she need a different visa?
- Should I still come in for the visa interview if I don’t have my I-20 or SEVIS fee receipt?
- I want to switch schools. What should I do?
- My spouse and son/daughter are going with me. Will they have to pay the SEVIS fee too?
Q.1 What is an I-20 and how do I get it?
The Form I-20 is an official U.S. Government form, issued by a certified school, which a prospective nonimmigrant student must have in order to get an F-1 or M-1 visa. Form I-20 acts as proof-of-acceptance and contains the information necessary to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee, apply for a visa or change visa status, and be admitted into the United States. The Form I-20 has the student's SEVIS identification number, which starts with the letter N and is followed by nine digits, on the upper right side directly above the barcode.
Q.2 How early should I apply for my student visa?
You are encouraged to apply for your nonimmigrant student visa as soon as you have your I-20. To ensure you get an early and timely date you may apply at any time. However, a student visa may be issued no more than 120 days prior to the start date mentioned on your I-20.
Q.3 I received my visa, when should I travel?
For your initial entry, you may only enter the United States within 30 days of the beginning of the course of study stated on your I-20, regardless of when your visa was issued.
Q.4 Can a person on a visitor visa change his or her status to student while in the United States if he or she gains admission to a school and gets a Form I-20?
Yes. In general, you may apply to change your nonimmigrant visa status if you were lawfully admitted to the United States with a nonimmigrant visa, if your nonimmigrant status remains valid, if you have not violated the conditions of your status, and you have not committed any actions that would make you ineligible. For more details, please visit the USCIS website.
Q.5 What if I receive an I-20 to a different school?
If you received an I-20 after scheduling your appointment, then you can inform the U.S. consular officer of the new I-20 at the time of the interview.
Q.6 I was working as an H-1B and have now been admitted to a university as an F-1. Do I need to return to my country to apply for a student visa?
No. Once you are in the United States, you do not need to apply for a new visa because the visa is only for entry into the United States. Check with USCIS to determine if you need to adjust status. If you leave the country, however, you'll need to apply for the student visa in order to re-enter the United States.
Q.7 Can an F-1 student work in the United States?
Full-time students on F visas may seek on-campus employment not to exceed 20 hours per week. After the first year in student status, an applicant may apply for employment off campus with authorization from USCIS. Please contact your student advisor for further information.
Q.8 What is the SEVIS system and how does it affect me?
The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) program requires schools and exchange programs to verify the enrollment status of all new and continuing foreign students and exchange visitors. Student visa applicants are required to pay a SEVIS fee before a visa can be issued. The SEVIS website has more details.
Q. 9 If I previously studied on a student visa in the United States (and that visa is still valid), do I need a new F-1 visa to return to the United States to attend a different school?
No, students may enter the United States on an unexpired, valid F-1 visa even if they are attending a new school, as long as they have a valid SEVIS status. Students attending a new school should obtain a new I-20 and must pay the I-901 SEVIS fee again. Students only need to apply for a new visa if their visa has expired, been revoked or cancelled, or the student has changed visa categories.
Q. 10 When should I apply for student visa renewal?
As soon as possible, but the earliest we can issue a student visa is 120 days before the start of your studies as listed on your I-20. You may not need a new visa (see question 1). If you do, it’s never too early to schedule an appointment. You can even schedule your appointment while you’re still in the United States. You do not have to wait until you return to your home country to schedule your visa interview.
Q. 11 Can I renew my student visa in the United States?
No. Visas can only be obtained at U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad.
Q. 12 Can my brother/sister/mother/father accompany me to the United States as a dependent?
Only your spouse and children (unmarried, under the age of 21) can accompany you to the United States as dependents, usually on F-2 visas. If qualified, your close family members who don’t qualify for F-2 visas may be able to accompany you on a B1/B2 business/tourism visa. However, their stay is generally restricted to six months and they would need to apply for an extension with the immigration service (USCIS) in the United States if they wish to stay longer.
Q. 13 I’m also a U.S. citizen. Can I get a F-1 student visa and/or can my husband/wife and children receive a F-2 dependent visa?
No, a U.S. citizen cannot receive a visa to the United States. U.S. citizens must enter and depart the United States using their U.S. passports. The spouse and children of a U.S. citizen may not receive F-2 visas. As a U.S. citizen you may file a petition to begin the immigration process of acquiring permanent residency for your spouse and children.
Q. 14 Can I bring my maid on a visa with me to the United States if I’m going on a student visa?
No, we strongly discourage it.
Q. 15 What if my F-1 visa expires while I’m in the United States?
You are free to remain in the United States for the period of time indicated on your I-94. For students, this is typically indicated as “duration of status” which means that you may remain in the United States for the length of your studies. However, if you depart the United States after your visa expires, or if your visa expires while you are abroad, then you will need to apply for a new visa to re-enter the United States.
Q. 16 When must I renew my F-1 visa?
You must renew your F-1 visa if you decide to travel outside the U.S. and your current F-1 visa will expire before you re-enter the United States to continue your program. If this is the case, you will need to apply for another F-1 visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Q. 17 How long can I remain in the United States on my student visa after I complete my studies?
If you have completed your academic program and have not applied for another academic program, or post-graduation training, you can remain in the United States up to 60 days after your studies have ended. During this time, you may travel around the United States, but you may not re-enter on your student visa once you have departed, even if it is within 60 days of completing your academic program.
Q. 18 Can I enter the United States on my F-1 visa after the date of study listed on my I-20?
For your initial entry, you cannot enter after the date of study listed on your I-20. If the start date on your I-20 has already passed, you will need to get a new I-20 with a start date in the future.
Q. 19 What if the Embassy/Consulate keeps my passport, but I don’t hear anything for weeks? Is the visa still being processed?
While the majority of visas are processed within a few weeks, occasionally a visa will take longer to be issued. While the processing is ongoing, you may take back your passport by sending an email, along with your passport number, to support-Tunisia@ustraveldocs.com . When the processing is complete, we will contact you to send in your passport so that the visa may be printed
Q. 20 Can I go on vacation to Mexico and return to the United States to study on my F-1 student visa?
If you travel to a contiguous territory (including Canada and Mexico) and are there for less than 30 days, you do not need to have a valid F-1 visa to re-enter the United States. You must be in valid F-1 status, have a valid I-20, an unexpired passport and a valid I-94. Please contact the Mexican Embassy and Canadian Embassy for information on visa requirements for those countries for citizens of your country.
Q. 21 If I change schools, do I need to get a new visa?
If you change schools after you received your F-1 student visa, but before you make your first trip to the United States as a student, you will need to apply for a new visa. However, if you are changing schools after you have started your studies in the United States, you do not need to get a new visa. Please be sure to contact your student advisor at the old school to transfer your SEVIS registration to the new school. Before traveling to the United States to start a new school, please contact your student advisor to ensure that your SEVIS status is in initial or active status at the new school.
Q. 22 My academic program is starting very soon but there are no more appointments available this month. What should I do?
Please make an appointment for the earliest available date on the appointment website, even if it is after the date you need to be in the U.S. At the end of this process you will be able to request and submit an emergency appointment. You must explain briefly what your emergency is, give your SEVIS number and I-20 start-date, and give two or three dates that are convenient for your to come in for an interview.
Q. 23 It is three days before the start date on my I-20 and my visa is still being processed. What should I do?
Please contact your school and request an extension letter or a new I-20. Inform them that your visa is still being processed. When you receive your extension letter or new I-20, please send a copy to the Embassy/Consulate immediately. Please remember, visa processing cannot be expedited.
Q. 24 I am already in the United States studying but my spouse would like to apply for a visa and join me here. What does she/he need to bring to the interview?
In addition to the standard required documents, your spouse should bring an I-20 (for dependents), a copy of your F-1 student visa and a copy of your marriage certificate.
Q. 25 I am an umarried female student going to study in the United States. Can my father (or my brother) receive a student visa to accompany me to the United States?
For F-1 students studying in the United States only children under 21 and spouses qualify for accompanying F-2 status. Other family members who wish to accompany the student must apply for a Business and Tourism (B1/B2) visa. This means that the family member will not be able to live in the United States for the full term of your F-1 visa, and must exit the country within the time given by the Customs and Border Protection officer. Most visitors on a B1/B2 visa are admitted for six months, after which they must depart or seek an extension from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS).
Q. 26 Will my student visa still be valid if I do not travel when I originally intended to?
You must be in the United States by the start date on your I-20 for your visa to be valid. If it is close enough to your start date you may show a letter of extension from your school at the Port of Entry or a new I-20 with a new start date. You will need a new visa if the new I-20 has a different SEVIS number, or if you have missed the original start date by more than 4 months.
Q. 27 If I want to go earlier than 30 days prior to the start date of my I-20, can I go on my tourist visa (B1/B2), leave the United States by crossing an international border, then come back into the United States on my student visa?
Yes.
Q. 28.If I transfer to another school or from English Language Study (ELS) to my university, how to I change the visa?
You usually do not need to change the visa. Make sure you have an updated and correct I-20 and that your designated school officials in both schools keep the SEVIS system updated.
Q.29. My dependent spouse on an F-2 visa is thinking about studying in the United States. Does he/she need a different visa?
If they are studying fewer than 18 hours a week, they do not need to change status. If they are studying full time or more than 18 hours, they will need an I-20 and a change of status to F-1 by filing form I-539 with USCIS. This can be done in the United States. However, if they leave the United States they will need a new visa to re-enter and should apply through standard procedures.
Q.30 Should I still come in for the visa interview if I don’t have my I-20 or SEVIS fee receipt?
Yes, but doing so is likely to cause delays as it’s harder to conduct the visa interview without the I-20/SEVIS fee receipt. Both are necessary for the visa to be issued. Be prepared to answer questions about possible schools you'd like to attend and what your long term educational plans are. Once you obtain your I-20 and SEVIS fee receipt, send them in as soon as possible the visa cannot be printed without them.
Q.31 I want to switch schools. What should I do?
Before the interview: either bring in the I-20 for your new school, or inform the consular officer about the change during the interview.
After the interview: If the visa is not printed, inform the consular office and send the I-20 to us. If the visa is printed: check the SEVIS number. If it is the same, you do not need a new visa. If the SEVIS number is different, you will need a new visa and must reapply.
Q.32 My spouse and son/daughter are going with me. Will they have to pay the SEVIS fee too?
No, but they do need their own I-20 showing dependent status so they can get F-2 visas. Contact your school for this.
FAQ - Exchange Visitor Visa
- I received my visa, when should I travel?
- What is the SEVIS system and how does it affect me?
- What is the "two-year rule?"
- Can the two-year rule be waived?
Q.1 I received my visa, when should I travel?
Exchange visitors may only enter the United States within 30 days of the beginning of the program, as stated on your Form DS-2019, regardless of when your visa was issued.
Q.2 What is the SEVIS system and how does it affect me?
The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) program requires schools and exchange programs to verify the enrollment status of all new and continuing foreign students and exchange visitors. Exchange visitor visa applicants are required to pay a SEVIS fee before a visa can be issued. The SEVIS website has more details.
Q.3 What is the "two-year rule?"
The "two-year rule" is the common term used for a section of U.S. immigration law which requires many exchange visitors to return to their home countries and be physically present there for at least two years after the conclusion of their exchange visit before they can return to the U.S. under certain types of visas, specifically H-1, L-1, K-1 and immigrant visas. It is important to note that only a preliminary finding of whether the two-year rule applies to you is made on your DS-2019 when your J-1 visa is issued. The final decision will be made only if you later choose to apply for an H-1, L-1, K-1, or immigrant visa.
J-1 visa holders subject to the two-year rule are not permitted to remain in the United States and apply for an adjustment/change of status to a prohibited nonimmigrant status (for example, from a J-1 visa to an H-1 visa) or to apply for legal permanent resident status (Green Card) without first returning home for two years or obtaining an approved waiver. Whether you are subject to the two-year rule is determined by a number of factors, including your source of funding and your country's "Skills List." It is not determined by the amount of time you spend in the United States.
Q.4 Can the two-year rule be waived?
Possibly. Only the Department of State's Visa Office can grant waivers of the two-year rule. The Visa Office is also the final authority on whether you are subject to the rule, regardless of what is annotated in your passport. If you are subject to the two-year rule, you may be able to obtain a waiver. Even if you are subject to the two-year rule, you may still qualify for a tourist visa or any other nonimmigrant visa except those noted above.
FAQ - Transit/Ship Crew Visa
Q.1 I plan to stop in the United States for a day and take a flight to another country on the next day. Do I need to apply for C-1 visa or a B-1/B-2 visa?
If you seek layover privileges for purposes other than transiting through the United States, such as to visit friends or for sightseeing, then you must qualify for and obtain the type of visa required for that purpose, such as a B-2 visa.
FAQ - Religious Worker Visa
Q.1 I am applying for a religious worker visa, but do not have an approved petition. I have been to the United States previously with an R-1 visa and was not required to have the petition. Can I apply for an R-1 visa without the petition since I had an R-1 visa in the past?
The requirement for an approved petition went into effect November 28, 2008. All applicants applying for an R-1 nonimmigrant visa are required to have an approved petition from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). For more information, please visit the USCIS website.
FAQ - Track My Passport
- How will I get my passport back after the interview?
- What types of ID are acceptable as proof-of-identity?
- Can someone besides me pick up my passport?
Q.1 How will I get my passport back after the interview?
Your passport will be available for pick up at the U.S. Embassy.
Q.2 What types of ID are acceptable as proof-of-identity?
You must present an original government-issued photo ID.
Q.3 Can someone besides me pick up my passport?
Yes. However, your representative - even in case of family members - must present your ticket stub, which is obtained after a successful interview. Passports may be picked up between 1 to 2 pm, Monday through Friday, excepting public holidays and closures.
FAQ - Application Profile
- How do I reset my password?
- What should I do if I move to another country after I have registered my profile on www.ustraveldocs.com and did not apply yet for my visa, or if I want to submit a new visa application in another country than my previous application?
Q.1 How do I reset my password?
Click the Forgot Your Password? link at the bottom of this web page. Enter your email address in the Username field and click Submit. The email address you type must match the email address you used when you began your visa application. A new password will be sent to your email address.
Note: The email with your new password will come from no-reply@ustraveldocs.com. Some email applications have rules which filter unknown senders into a spam or junk mail folder. If you have not received your email notification, please look for the message in your junk and spam email folders.
Q.2 What should I do if I move to another country after I have registered my profile on www.ustraveldocs.com and did not apply yet for my visa, or if I want to submit a new visa application in another country than my previous application?
You do not need to create another profile if it is also serviced by CGI. You can simply contact us through the Contact Us section on this website and share your passport number, UID or email address so we can retrieve and update your profile with the new country where you plan to apply for your US Visa.
If you are applying in a country that is not covered by CGI, you will be invited to create a new profile. As a reminder, MRV fee receipts paid in one country are non-transferable to the other country.