Lauren Derebey Vice Consul Visiting, Working, and Studying in the U.S. U.S. Consulate General - Vancouver

VISITING AS A TOURIST THE MAJORITY OF VISA APPLICANTS ARE SEEKING A TOURIST VISA PURPOSE OF TOURIST VISA: BUSINESS OR PLEASURE EXAMPLES: VACATION, SHOPPING TRIPS, VISITING POTENTIAL UNIVERSITIES, ATTENDING JOB INTERVIEWS, CONFERENCES.

QUALIFYING FOR A TOURIST VISA A residence abroad that you don’t intend to abandon Intent for a temporary visit to the United States Financial ability to pay for your trip APPLY ONLINE AND INTERVIEW AT CONSULATE

Canadians and Visa Waiver Program participants You don’t need a visa to visit the United States You need a visa to work in the United States, but you can apply for the visa at the border.

Obtaining an employment visa 1.Find a job and an employer in the U.S. 2.Have your U.S. employer petition for your employment through U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) 3.Once you obtain your approved petition, set an appointment for visa interview 4.Attend visa interview U.S. Consulate General - Vancouver

H visas – Skilled workers H-1B workers H-1B workers − Workers with specialized skills (engineers, computer professionals, and so on) − Must have Bachelor’s degree or higher − Total period of stay no more than six years

L visa – Intracompany transfer Petitioner is same company for whom you are employed abroad Petitioner is same company for whom you are employed abroad You are a manager or executive, or have specialized knowledge, and are taking a managerial or executive position or a position requiring specialized knowledge You are a manager or executive, or have specialized knowledge, and are taking a managerial or executive position or a position requiring specialized knowledge You must have one year prior continuous qualifying experience within the previous three years You must have one year prior continuous qualifying experience within the previous three years

J-1 – Exchange visitor Accepted into designated exchange visitor program Accepted into designated exchange visitor program Financial ability to pay for expenses Financial ability to pay for expenses Adequate English language ability Adequate English language ability Intend to return to country of residence Intend to return to country of residence Qualified for program Qualified for program Two-year rule may apply Two-year rule may apply U.S. Consulate General - Vancouver

B-1 – Temporary visitor for business Engage in commercial transactions which do not involve employment in the U.S. Engage in commercial transactions which do not involve employment in the U.S. Negotiate contracts Negotiate contracts Consult with business associates Consult with business associates Litigate Litigate Participate in scientific, educational, professional or business conventions, conferences or seminars Participate in scientific, educational, professional or business conventions, conferences or seminars Undertake independent research Undertake independent research U.S. Consulate General - Vancouver

Qualifying for an employment visa Are you qualified for the position? Are you qualified for the position? − Bring your degree, transcripts, etc to prove you do Does the position you have been offered qualify as a specialty skill job? Does the position you have been offered qualify as a specialty skill job? Will you be likely to be paid as petitioned? Will you be likely to be paid as petitioned? − Bring your employer’s labor certification U.S. Consulate General - Vancouver

Studying in the United States U.S. Consulate General - Vancouver

What kind of study visa do I need? F1 – for academic study F1 – for academic study − College, university, seminary, conservatory, or other academic institution or in a language training program J1 – for exchange programs J1 – for exchange programs − Work/travel, au pair, company/medical internship, or academic research U.S. Consulate General - Vancouver

Qualifying for an F1 / J1 visas Students are required to demonstrate: Students are required to demonstrate: − Intent to return to their country of residence upon completion of their studies − Financial ability to pay for schooling (tuition plus expenses) − Commitment to full-time course of study − English language ability − CONSULT WITH YOUR SCHOOL ADVISORS!!!! U.S. Consulate General - Vancouver

Can I stay in the U.S. after I graduate? You may apply for one year work permission (Optional Practical Training) for employment in your field after you graduate. Students in some fields may be able to apply for longer employment authorization. Discuss with your student advisor. You may apply for one year work permission (Optional Practical Training) for employment in your field after you graduate. Students in some fields may be able to apply for longer employment authorization. Discuss with your student advisor. Beyond OPT, you must obtain an employment- based visa or immigrant visa. Beyond OPT, you must obtain an employment- based visa or immigrant visa. The J visa may require that you return to your country of residence for a period of 2 years before you can apply for certain work-based or fiancee visas. The J visa may require that you return to your country of residence for a period of 2 years before you can apply for certain work-based or fiancee visas. U.S. Consulate General - Vancouver

Can spouses or children also work or study in the U.S. ? F1: F1: − Dependents and spouses cannot work − Children of F1 applicants MAY study full-time − Spouses cannot study full-time unless they qualify for an F1 visa in their own right. J1 dependents may work if authorized by DHS J1 dependents may work if authorized by DHS U.S. Consulate General - Vancouver

Can I work while I’m a student? On an F1 visa, you can: On an F1 visa, you can: − work on-campus for up to 20 hours a week while school is in session − work off-campus for up to 20 hours a week in a position related to your field of study during subsequent years of study IF you have been authorized by the designated school official; full time employment may be authorized during academic breaks. Talk to your advisor! However, on an F1 visa, you may NOT: However, on an F1 visa, you may NOT: − continue to work on-campus after you have completed your course of study

Applying for a visa U.S. Consulate General - Vancouver

How to apply for a visa Make an appointment: Make an appointment: − − (Vancouver) − (toll free) Pay the MRV fee Pay the MRV fee Attend the interview Attend the interview Please plan ahead; you may not get an appointment immediately Please plan ahead; you may not get an appointment immediately U.S. Consulate General - Vancouver

DS-160 form DS-160 form Proper form (I-797, DS-2019, I-20) Proper form (I-797, DS-2019, I-20) Passport and photo Passport and photo Proof of legal status in Canada Proof of legal status in Canada For complete list: For complete list: What to bring to the visa interview U.S. Consulate General - Vancouver

What to expect at the Consulate Be prepared to answer questions about your qualifications and abilities. Your documents alone are not enough. Be prepared to answer questions about your qualifications and abilities. Your documents alone are not enough. BE HONEST! BE HONEST! Some applicants will require additional administrative processing which can take days to months to complete. Some applicants will require additional administrative processing which can take days to months to complete. U.S. Consulate General - Vancouver

Visa approved! Do not finalize your travel plans until your U.S. visa is in your hands! Do not finalize your travel plans until your U.S. visa is in your hands! Go to the U.S. with your visa and obtain the proper status. Go to the U.S. with your visa and obtain the proper status. U.S. Consulate General - Vancouver

Visa refused – Why? Presumption of immigrant intent Presumption of immigrant intent Failure to meet the requirements of the visa for which you are applying Failure to meet the requirements of the visa for which you are applying Each case is determined on its own merits Each case is determined on its own merits U.S. Consulate General - Vancouver

Questions on working in the U.S.? Temporary Workers in the United States Bureau of Consular Affairs U.S. Consulate General Vancouver

Questions on studying in the U.S.? Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Study in the United States For international students The student visa

THANK YOU! U.S. Consulate General - Vancouver