Steps to Apply
for U.S. Visa Abroad
The events of September 11, 2001 have
resulted in many additional security measures to protect travelers and
others from terrorist attacks. Procedures and requirements for visa
application or renewal vary from consulate to consulate, and from
country to country. It is your responsibility to obtain information
regarding travel and visa application requirements before leaving the
United States (U.S.) Remember that the visa stamp in your passport does
not need to remain valid while you are in the U.S. Visa stamp renewal
is only required if you have left the U.S. and wish to return to
continue your studies, teaching/research activities, or temporary
employment. Remember that once you enter the U.S., your visa stamp does
not need to remain valid. If you plan to travel abroad and your visa
stamp has expired, you must apply for a visa stamp at a U.S. consular
post abroad.
The following resources will assist you
in gathering information about these requirements and taking the
necessary steps to ensure as smooth a visa renewal process as possible.
- Consult the Office of International
Affairs: If you plan to travel and your visa stamp is no longer
valid, contact your International Affairs Advisor well in advance to
determine what documents or signatures you will need from this
office to renew your visa stamp while you are overseas
- Review State Department General Information
About Applying for a U.S. Visa at http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov
- Visit the web page of the United States
consular post in the city and country where you plan to apply for
your visa at
http://usembassy.state.gov/. Look under “nonimmigrant visas” or
the specific visa type for which you will apply. Be sure to verify
the procedure to apply for the visa, and how long it may take for
the visa to be issued. Remember that this may vary from consulate
to consulate and may change without notice, so monitor the web site
frequently prior to your visa appointment.
- Read about general security measures
relating to visa issuance and renewal :
http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_1336.html
- Consider the Possibility of a Security
Advisory Opinion (SAO): Certain individuals applying for U.S.
visa stamps at consular posts abroad may be subject to a Security
Advisory Opinion (SAO) before the visa can be issued. If this
happens it will cause a delay of 20 days or longer before the visa
is issued. Some factors that might result in an SAO include:
- National of a country suspected to support
terrorism: Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Sudan, and
Syria are considered “state sponsors of terrorism”, but
nationals of other countries might also be required to undergo
an SAO
- Field of Specialization is on the
Technology Alert List (TAL): The fields listed are very broad,
e.g. “Biological Science”, so it is difficult to predict whether
an SAO will be required. These are referred to as “Visas Mantis”
clearances.
- Name Check “Hit”: Many people’s names are
similar or even identical. If a person with the same name is
listed in any of a number of government database lists as a
criminal suspect, you may be required to undergo an SAO to
determine that you are not that person
- Other information provided to consular
staff and/or consular staff intuition: A consular officer who
finds a visa applicant unusual or suspicious could require an
SAO
The State Department has revised it’s
regulations regarding the validity period of an SAO. Provided there is
no change in the “approved program” the following guidelines apply:
i.
F-1 student--duration of approved academic program up to four
years
ii.
J-1 exchange visitor--duration of approved program up to two
years
iii.
H-1B specialty occupation workers--duration of approved program
up to two year
- Notify Immediate Supervisor of Plans to
Travel: If possible, make a plan with your supervisor to cover
your duties in the event that your return to UTMB is unexpectedly
delayed.
- Schedule Time in Your Trip to Apply for the
Visa: Be sure to allow sufficient time to obtain a visa renewal
when making airline and other travel plans. Without an appropriate
valid visa stamp you will not be permitted to board your flight
and/or be readmitted to the United States.
- Visa Approval Cannot Be Guaranteed:
Remember that the outcome of a visa appointment cannot be
guaranteed. Whether to approve or deny the visa is the decision of
the consular officer. If the visa application is denied, you should
be given the reason(s) for denial in writing. This may help you
prepare for future visa applications.
- Provide Copies of Your New Visa Stamp and
Form I-94 to the Office of Diversity and International Affairs:
Once you return, please visit the Office of Diversity and
International Affairs so that we can make copies of your new
documents. Also, please share information regarding your
experiences in applying for visas overseas or in Mexico or Canada.
Your feedback is helpful to us in advising other international
students and staff.
This web page is
designed to assist UTMB staff. It is not intended to provide
comprehensive immigration information to the general public. For
detailed immigration information, please visit the
U.S. Citizenship
and Immigration Services (USCIS) web site.
Office of Diversity
and International Affairs
Rebecca Sealy Hospital,
Suite 1.120
301 University Blvd., Route 0106
Galveston, Texas 77555
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