Travel Advisory - Applying for a new U.S Visa
Any student who is traveling outside the United States and their U.S. visa has expired, will need to renew it at a U.S. visa issuing post abroad before they can return to the United States. In most cases, the visa application will be filed at a US consulate in your home country. Please note that the summer period is an extremely busy time at visa issuing posts due to large numbers of travelers and reduced embassy staff who may be taking vacation. Also, in the event of any protests, security threats, health concerns (such as SARS) or terrorist attacks that are judged to be threatening to U.S. embassy or consulate personnel, government officials at those posts may temporarily close or alter their operational hours without any advanced notice. It is advisable to check with the U.S. consulate or embassy, or its web site link: http://usembassy.state.gov for the most current information, although keep in mind that information on the website might not necessarily be up-to-date. Some visa issuing posts that previously only accepted visa applications by mail or through an approved "drop-off" facility now may require an in-person appearance by the visa applicant.
Allow plenty of time for the visa application process, and begin the process as soon as possible after you arrive home.
Nearly all U.S. consular posts overseas have their own websites. The initiative is part of an effort to disseminate information on visa application procedures specific to the individual posts. Information on consular post policies, procedures and documentary requirements can be obtained via these web sites which may be accessed from the State Department's main web page at: http://usembassy.state.gov
The consulate web sites are a valuable resource for international students and scholars. The State Department has also prepared two information sheets about student visas on its web site which may be useful to you as an international student. They may be obtained at
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Security Concerns And Special Registration :
Individuals from Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Sudan and Syria will not be eligible to obtain a new non-immigrant visa unless it can be determined that the individual does not pose a security risk.
Males between the ages of 16 and 45 from Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen who will need to renew their U.S. visas while abroad will be required to undergo security checks that may lengthen the processing time for their visa applications by as long as two weeks, and possibly longer.
These same individuals will be subject to Special Registration upon their return to the United States . Special Registration is part of the legislation passed by the U.S. Congress after September 11, 2001 . The U.S. government developed a National Security Entry-Exit Registration System (NSEERS) to help monitor the arrivals and departures of foreign nationals. Although many aspects of NSEERS systems have been suspended, visitors may still be subject upon arrival.
Individuals subject to Special Registration are fingerprinted, photographed and questioned under oath upon entry into the United States . The country list can be expanded at anytime with the publication of additional countries in the Federal Register.
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Technology Alert List and Sensitive Areas of Study :
Students who are considered to be researching / majoring in "sensitive areas of study" as determined by the U.S. government may also be required to undergo security clearances before a visa can be issued.
There is a document called the "Technology Alert List" that visa officers consult for this purpose.
China , India , Israel , Pakistan and Russia have received special mention by the U.S. State Department.
But even if you are not a citizen of one of the countries listed above, your field of study (especially if it is in the sciences, technology or engineering) might require your visa application to undergo a security clearance REGARDLESS of the country you are from. Such clearances can add weeks to the amount of time needed for visa approval. There are fifteen broad subject areas listed on the Technology Alert List, with detailed specializations within each broad area. Updated information on the Technology Alert List may be available at: http://travel.state.gov/visa_telegrams.html
If you find that your visa application is delayed due to a need for the consulate or embassy to send your file for review based on your field of study, please notify the IS office by e-mail, fax or telephone of the situation.
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Consular officials are required to verify your record and any F-2 dependents traveling with you in the SEVIS system before a visa can be approved. Under no circumstances should you apply for a new entry visa if your SEVIS record was completed or terminated by Stony Brook, even if your Form I-20 is still valid, i.e. the program end date is still in the future. If the consular official is unable to access your record in SEVIS and you have a SEVIS I-20 or DS-2019, please contact the IS office by e-mail, phone or fax to alert us to the problem.
Visa Application Requirements :
To apply for a new visa, you will need to complete application form DS-156 "Non-Immigrant Visa Application" and DS-158 "Contact Information and Work History for Non-Immigrant Visa Applicant." If you are male, you must also complete the DS-157, the "Supplemental Non-Immigrant Visa Application." Note that consular officers reserve the right to require a DS-157 from any applicant for any visa classification. You may download these forms at: http://www.state.gov/m/a/dir/c4456.htm . http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/forms/forms_1342.html These forms are also available as paper copies at any U.S. visa issuing post abroad.
You will also need one photograph http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/info/info_1287.html 1 and 1/2 inches square, showing full face, without head covering, against a light background. You will need to have sufficient currency http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/fees/fees_1341.html to pay the required visa fees, or a receipt showing that you have paid the visa fees. You will need your SEVIS Form I-20 or DS-2019 and a letter of good standing from your department.
You will also need to show the embassy / consulate proof of financial support, binding ties to your home country which you have no intentions of abandoning, and that you plan to return to your home country upon the conclusion of your studies. Some U.S. consulates will ask you how you plan to use your U.S. education in your home country. Many consulates will ask you to present copies of your academic transcripts to prove that you have been maintaining student status in the United States , and that you have been making satisfactory progress in your program. Plan to have copies with you, but do not present it to a consular officer unless specifically asked to do so.
Visa Applications In Canada Or Mexico :
New U.S. State Department regulations that took effect in April 2002 state that any non-immigrant who chooses to apply for a new visa while in Canada or Mexico (but is not a citizen of either of those two countries) and whose visa application is subsequently denied will not be permitted to re-enter the United States. International students should consider this matter carefully when applying for a U.S. visa in Canada or Mexico . See Section 4 for further details.
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