A valid visa is required for legal entry into the United States. For U.S processing times and procedures, see U.S. Pat. Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Quick Facts About The US Visa:
Visa interview
A personal consular interview is usually required and you should schedule your appointment as soon as possible. Please note that there are many delays due to visa-free travel and visa processing times.
Background and security scanning
US embassies and consulates regularly screen visa applicants. In some cases, the checks have led to numerous delays in issuing visas. If you experience multiple delays in issuing visas, report to the International Student and Scholarship Services and your UT department.
Exception for Canadian citizens
If you are a Canadian citizen, you do not need to receive a US Visa Online stamp in your passport. However, if you plan to travel to UT as a F-1 or J-1 student, scientist, or researcher, you must pay a SEVIS fee before entering the United States.
Take family members with you
Family members (spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21) accompanying you to the United States may apply for visas for dependents. Visa application requirements
Application DS 160
Payment of the visa application fee
OUR. passport-style photographs for each visa applicant
The passport (s) is valid for at least 6 months in the future for each visa applicant
SEVIS fee (only F and J)
If you are applying for an F-1 or J-1 visa, you will have to pay a SEVIS fee. Make sure you pay at least three business days for the scheduled interview.
You will need the information listed on your I-20 or DS-2019 to complete the payment.
Pay by credit card or Western Union Quick Pay using Form I-901.
Print the electronic payment receipt immediately. You should show this to the consular officer during the interview.
F-1 students pay $ 350, while J-1 exchange visitors pay $ 220. The fee is non-refundable even if the visa application is rejected.
Dependent spouses and children do not have to pay a fee.
My passport’s visa stamp is about to expire, do I need a new one?
A visa stamp in your passport is only required to enter the United States. Once in the US, the visa stamp may expire if:
Passport valid for at least six months in the future
Unpaved I-20 (for F-1) or DS-2019 (for J-1)
I-94 identifies D / S (F-1 and J-1 only) as a future date
When you leave the country, you will need to apply for a new visa before returning to the United States.
U.S Visa in a third country
US visa holders who apply for a visa stamp in a country other than themselves are called “third country nationals”. To ensure that you are eligible to apply for a new visa as a third country, be sure to contact the U.S. embassy or consulate in that country before traveling.
If your US Visa Application is denied, you will not be able to re-enter the United States with an expired visa, and you will need to return to your country immediately. If your application is delayed due to a lengthy seriousness check, you will need to stay in that country until the check is completed.
Those wishing to apply to Mexico or Canada as a third country should discuss their plans with an ISSS consultant before taking any action. The ISSS generally does not recommend that third-country nationals apply for a US visa to Mexico or Canada.
