Visa application pointers

We recommend that you review the following information before applying for a U.S. visa stamp.  Many of the items below are recommendations that UMMS students, employees and residents have made based on their personal experiences at U.S. consulates in various locations.

  • Review the information on the ISSO travel and visa information website
  • Review the information about initial entry to the U.S. and applications for U.S. visa stamps on the ISSO website. Schedule an appointment with an ISSO Coordinator if you have questions.
  • Consult the Department of State website for appointment scheduling and visa processing information for any U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad. Be aware that Consulates in some countries appointments must be scheduled several months in advance.
  • You may experience delays at U.S. Embassies and Consulates due to special processing requirements that have been imposed on non-immigrant visa applicants (particularly for certain nationalities and fields of research). This may lead to a delay from several weeks to several months in visa issuance. 
    • Plan for a minimum of 2-3 weeks leave from UMMS. Employees who do not have the appropriate UMMS vacation time may need to be put on unpaid leave of absence (LOA). The department administrator must inform the ISSO when an international employee will have a delayed re-entry to the U.S. and should be on LOA.
    • For individuals conducting research in certain technologically sensitive fields, DOS is required to conduct a security clearance (SAO) prior to issuing an initial U.S. entry visa or extension of visa through a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad. Clearance may take one month to several months.If you believe there is a possibility that a security clearance will be conducted, we recommend that you submit a letter from your faculty sponsor with your visa application. When in doubt, we suggest that you submit the letter.  Please review the ISSO's information on visa delays and security clearances for more details.
  • The SEVIS fee is only required of F-1 and J-1 applicants who are making their initial visa application in this status.  If you are applying for a renewal of your F-1 or J-1 visa stamp, you do not need to pay the SEVIS fee again.
  • Information about required forms can be found on the website of the specific consulate at which you will make your visa application.  Please be aware of the following:
    • All nonimmigrant visa applicants must complete and submit Forms DS-156 (Nonimmigrant Visa Application) and DS-158 (Contact Information and Work History for Nonimmigrant Visa Applicant).
    • Some Consulates will only accept the electronic version of Form DS-156 that generates a unique bar code. Please check with the Consulate at which you will apply for your visa to determine if the electronic form is required.
    • All male nonimmigrant visa applicants between the ages of 16 and 45, regardless of nationality and regardless of where they apply, must complete and submit a DS-157 (Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application) in addition to the DS-156 and DS-158. Others may be asked to complete the DS-157 as well.
  • It may be possible to request a visa stamp renewal even if your current visa is still valid fur up to six months into the future so long as you can provide a valid reason for making the request. Check with the consulate where you plan to apply to confirm this before making an appointment. It would be a shame to waste your time if they do not allow an early renewal of the visa stamp.

Pointers for visa applications in Canada (for non-Canadians)

  • Review ISSO information about travel to Canada.
  • For individuals on the Visa Waiver Program (VWP): Border posts are aware that people who enter the United States under the VWP may not change their status. If you attempt to change your status through a trip to Canada or Mexico, Visa Officers have been instructed to consider cases based on their individual merits.
  • Although U.S. visas are typically granted in one to two days, this cannot be guaranteed. Therefore, it is always best to plan on the possibility of at least an overnight stay to a delay of several weeks or even several months. Please note that you will NOT be able to return to the United States until your visa is granted.
    • DO NOT BRING ANY ELECTRONIC DEVICES (cell phones, laptops, etc.) TO YOUR APPOINTMENT. You will not be able to bring these into the consulate.
    • Halifax does not process H1B visas.
  • It is not easy to make appointments in Canada. The on-line system can be complicated and frustrating and last minute appointments are impossible to get. However, the phone system is even worse! You must plan well in advance if you are going to Canada for visa application.
  • Prepare for the worst – but don’t expect it . . . The worst case scenario would be that you would be required to fly directly to your home country to apply at a U.S. Consulate there. This is rare since U.S. Consulates in Canada pre-screen applicants and will not take an appointment if lengthy SAO clearance is required (as they don’t want you stuck in Canada).

General Hints for proving ‘non-immigrant intent’ for J-1 and F-1 visa applications

  • Frequent visits to the home country while on U.S. visa show that strong ties have been maintained.
  • Property, bank accounts, job offers, family ties are other typical means to establish non-immigrant intent (Voter ID and Ration Card recommended as well for citizens of India)