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April 2010 U.S. Embassy, Ottawa Slide 2 What is a U.S. Visa? Allows the holder to apply for admission to the United States, in a given status, at a port of entry Customs and Border Patrol officer decides permitted length of stay at port of entry I-94 issued at port of entry includes length of stay Slide 3 Who needs a Visa? Canadian Permanent Residents Third Country Nationals Individuals possessing Canadian Work or Student Permits Nationals from Visa Waiver Countries do not need a visa if the purpose of their trip is tourism or business 90 days Slide 4 Visa Categories Visitor (business / tourism)Visa (B-1/B-2) Student Visa (F-1) requires I-20 J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa (J-1) requires DS-2019 Temporary Work Permit (H1-B) requires I-129/I-797 Slide 5 Application Requirements DS-156 and DS-157 (in the near future, the online DS-160 will be required) Currently $131 (U.S. currency) fee Recent color photograph with white background Passport (preferably with at least six months of validity) Canada ExpressPost envelope Digital fingerprints taken on-site Interview Slide 6 Additional Documents for Students Official transcripts showing grades from completed courses Certification of enrollment Scholarship or sponsorship letter Proof of other financial support Slide 7 Students in the Sciences Students pursuing independent research in Science based fields should also bring: A current Curriculum Vita (CV) listing all papers and presentations An abstract of current research A letter from academic advisor The conference invitation if going to attend a conference Slide 8 Not everyone gets a Visa Refusals do happen Come prepared with documents Entering the U.S. for the purpose stated Returning to Canada Strong ties to Canada Refusal is not permanent, but time is typically required to establish stronger ties Slide 9 Validity and Issuance The length of the Visa varies Different visa types Different countries Generally the length of valid student status in Canada Reciprocity fees Sent by ExpressPost mail Administrative Processing Slide 10 DS-160 Online Application Replaces the following forms: DS-156 Nonimmigrant Visa Application DS-157 Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application DS-158 Contact Information and Work History for Nonimmigrant Visa Applicant Will be mandatory for Ottawa in the coming months Slide 11 Pay Fee At ScotiaBank Make Appointment At VFS Website In person at VFS Complete Form Online at https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/ Interview At Embassy Fingerprint Receive Visa After processing Sent via ExpressPost Only the application form has changed Other parts of the process remain the same DS-160 Application Process Slide 12 Completing the DS-160 Step 1 Accessing the Application https://ceac.state.gov/genniv Step 1 Accessing the Application https://ceac.state.gov/genniv Read the instructions and press Start Application Slide 13 Completing the DS-160 Step 2 Choose the Embassy Choose the Embassy or Consulate where you will apply Step 2 Choose the Embassy Choose the Embassy or Consulate where you will apply Step 2 Choose the Embassy Choose the Embassy or Consulate where you will apply Press Test Photo to begin uploading your photo Slide 14 Completing the DS-160 Step 3 Upload Photo Browse to your photo and press Upload Selected Photo Slide 15 Completing the DS-160 Step 3 Upload Photo Browse to your photo and press Upload Selected Photo If your photo meets the quality standards, you can press Continue Using This Photo Slide 16 Completing the DS-160 Step 3 Upload Photo Browse to your photo and press Upload Selected Photo If your photo meets the quality standards, you can press Continue Using This Photo If your photo does not pass, press Continue Without A Photo (BRING A PASSPORT PHOTO) Slide 17 Completing the DS-160 Step 4 Complete Form Complete all questions carefully and accurately. Providing inaccurate information or leaving required items blank will only delay your application Slide 18 Completing the DS-160 Saving an Application If you cant finish in one sitting, you can save the application to your hard drive and continue later Press Save at the bottom of any data entry page Slide 19 Completing the DS-160 Saving an Application If you cant finish in one sitting, you can save the application to your hard drive and continue later Press Save at the bottom of any data entry page Press Save Application to File Slide 20 Completing the DS-160 Saving an Application If you cant finish in one sitting, you can save the application to your hard drive and continue later Press Save at the bottom of any data entry page Press Save Application to File Press Save and navigate to the place you want to save your application Slide 21 Completing the DS-160 Tips If a question doesnt apply to you, you must check the Does Not Apply box Slide 22 Completing the DS-160 Tips If a question doesnt apply to you, you must check the Does Not Apply box Answer fully and include as much detail as you can Slide 23 Completing the DS-160 Tips If a question doesnt apply to you, you must check the Does Not Apply box Answer fully and include as much detail as you can Be especially careful with the yes/no questions near the end misrepresenting the facts can result in a permanent ban Slide 24 Completing the DS-160 Step 5 Reviewing Your Application You have an opportunity to review and edit all your answers before submitting your application Check carefully that everything is correct its impossible to make changes later Slide 25 Completing the DS-160 Step 6 Submitting Your Application Once you submit your application, you cant change it Pressing Sign and Submit Application constitutes your electronic signature, certifying that all the answers on the application are true Slide 26 Completing the DS-160 Step 7 Printing Your Confirmation Page Print the confirmation page You only need to bring the printed confirmation sheet to the interview Slide 27 Completing the DS-160 Step 7 Printing Your Confirmation Page Print the confirmation page You only need to bring the printed confirmation sheet to the interview You can print the entire application for your own records if you wish Slide 28 Completing the DS-160 Step 7 Printing Your Confirmation Page Print the confirmation page You only need to bring the printed confirmation sheet to the interview You can print the entire application for your own records if you wish You can e-mail the confirmation to someone else (e.g., if you are completing the application for another person) Slide 29 Completing the DS-160 Step 7 Printing Your Confirmation Letter (cont) This is what the confirmation page looks like if your photo was not uploaded You will need to bring a photo with you to the interview Slide 30 Reminder The DS-160 replaces only the application forms. Other items are still required Students: I-20 Exchange Visitors: DS-2019 Diplomats and Officials: Diplomatic Note And most applicants still need evidence of ties to their place of residence Slide 31 Questions? www.consular.canada.usembassy.gov/ottawa.asp www.consular.canada.usembassy.gov/nvars.asp