Visas for U.S. Students Studying Abroad: Tips, Pointers and Help ! Education Abroad Practice Resource

Created by: Joe Sevigny AVP of Enrollment Management IES Abroad Ismael J. Betancourt Director of Education Abroad Northern Arizona University Adapted from their 2010 NAFSA Annual Conference Presentation

Today’s Agenda Overview of the State of Student Visas Best Practices for Processing Student Visa Applications Preparing Students/Parents for the Visa Application Adventure NAFSA Knowledge Community & Visa Subcommittees Q & A

The State of Visas Today Driven by current political climate Driven by state of relationships between nations Visa regulations are an easy political target The guiding principle in determining visa regulations between nations: RECIPROCITY! AKA: TIT FOR TAT

RECIPROCITY In international relations and treaties the principle of reciprocity states that favors, benefits, or penalties that are granted by one state to the citizens or legal entities of another, should be returned in kind. RECIPROCITY IN ACTION: Visa fees Required documents Required financial support amounts Requirement to appear at embassy/consulate Processing time Length of visa validity

RECIPROCITY The Flip Side WHY ARE ‘THEY’ DOING THIS TO ME???? WHAT ARE WE DOING TO THEM????? Helping students understand the concept of reciprocity in the realm of student visa regulations will help better prepare them for the adventure ahead by adding important context and history to the experience. In addition understanding reciprocity will hopefully add to their intercultural competence.

Processing Visa Applications Three Methods For Processing Visa Applications: Direct Application Direct Application Batch Processed Batch Processed Obtain Required Document After Arrival Obtain Required Document After Arrival

Processing Visa Applications DIRECT APPLICATION Student applies directly to consulate Important Considerations: Personal appearance (travel) Personal appearance (travel) Dealing directly with consular officers Dealing directly with consular officers Understanding of which documents to bring Understanding of which documents to bring Relinquishing passport Relinquishing passport Timing Timing

Processing Visa Applications DIRECT APPLICATION Student applies directly to consulate Pitfalls to Avoid: Insufficient/incorrect documents Insufficient/incorrect documents Time required to obtain documents (FBI clearance) Time required to obtain documents (FBI clearance) Is an appointment required and did you make one? Is an appointment required and did you make one? International travel during the application processing period International travel during the application processing period Correct payment type Correct payment type Securing the return of your passport Securing the return of your passport

Processing Visa Applications BATCH PROCESSED APPLICATIONS School/Office collects and delivers batches of visa applications to consulate Important Considerations: Sufficient Staffing Sufficient Staffing Establishing relationship with consulate Establishing relationship with consulate Deadlines Deadlines Required Documents Required Documents Time required to process/follow up Time required to process/follow up Maintaining security of documents Maintaining security of documents Travel to consulate Travel to consulate Liability issues Liability issues

Processing Visa Applications BATCH PROCESSED APPLICATIONS School/Office collects and delivers batches of visa applications to consulate Pitfalls to Avoid: Unclear/ambiguous communication with consulate Unclear/ambiguous communication with consulate Setting up appointment(s) Setting up appointment(s) Method for return of passports (courier or postal service?) Method for return of passports (courier or postal service?) Clarity of deadline to student Clarity of deadline to student Time required to process/follow up Time required to process/follow up Budgeting for travel to consulate Budgeting for travel to consulate

Processing Visa Applications APPLY FOR REQUIRED STATUS ONSITE Student applies for required non-immigration document after arrival Important Considerations: Must bring required documents Must bring required documents Pre-program travel within country Pre-program travel within country

Processing Visa Applications APPLY FOR REQUIRED STATUS ONSITE Student applies for required non-immigration document after arrival Pitfalls to Avoid: Understanding the correct documents to bring (official transcript, financial support documentation, police clearance, etc.) Understanding the correct documents to bring (official transcript, financial support documentation, police clearance, etc.) Pre-program travel within country (ticking clock) Pre-program travel within country (ticking clock) Fees for processes Fees for processes Relinquished passport time Relinquished passport time

Preparing Students and Parents for the Visa Application Adventure Mandatory visa orientation meeting(s) Mandatory visa orientation meeting(s) Highlight importance of visas by creating a stand-alone visa orientation separate from main pre-departure orientation Highlight importance of visas by creating a stand-alone visa orientation separate from main pre-departure orientation Provide concise, pertinent information Provide concise, pertinent information Create a timeline with dates Create a timeline with dates Create step-by-step process guides Create step-by-step process guides

Example - Visa Checklist

Example - Visa Application Form

Example - Visa Application Key

Example - Visa Consulate List

Example - FAQs

Top 5 Ways to Prepare Students for the Visa Application Adventure 5) Contact consulate immediately and gather your documents 4) Mind your “P”s: Patience, Persistence, Politeness 3) Understand the concept of RECIPROCITY 2) Double check all documents before submission 1) Read everything… TWICE!

THE END RESULT!!!

NAFSA Visa Resources NAFSA recently approved a change to the structure of the Education Abroad subcommittees responsible for student visa issues, concerns and information. Education Abroad Consular Affairs Liaison Subcommittee (reporting to the EA Regulatory Practice Committee) Education Abroad Visa Education Subcommittee (reporting to the EA Knowledge Community)

NAFSA Visa Resources Education Abroad Consular Affairs Liaison Subcommittee: The Mission Chair: Heidi Soneson – University of Minnesota Respond to visa related questions from EA professionals Respond to visa related questions from EA professionals Liaise with consulate staff to clarify visa procedures Liaise with consulate staff to clarify visa procedures Disseminate regulatory information to the field Disseminate regulatory information to the field Make recommendations to the EA KC’s Visa Education Subcommittee for needed educational resources related to student visas Make recommendations to the EA KC’s Visa Education Subcommittee for needed educational resources related to student visas

NAFSA Visa Resources Education Abroad Consular Affairs Liaison Subcommittee: In Action Monitor input/questions from the field (discussion forums, listservs, IssueNet, KC, etc.) Monitor input/questions from the field (discussion forums, listservs, IssueNet, KC, etc.) Identify/prioritize countries and consulates needing the most attention Identify/prioritize countries and consulates needing the most attention Respond to submissions and point them toward existing resources Respond to submissions and point them toward existing resources Identify, develop and maintain contacts at consulates Identify, develop and maintain contacts at consulates Collaborate with KC and KC Subcommittees to create resources for the field Collaborate with KC and KC Subcommittees to create resources for the field

NAFSA Visa Resources Education Abroad Consular Affairs Liaison Subcommittee: In Action Consular Liaisons - Initial Country List: FranceItalySpain United Kingdom

NAFSA Visa Resources Education Abroad Visa Education Subcommittee (EAVES): The Mission Chair: Joe Sevigny – IES Abroad Provide visa related educational resources for professionals in the field Provide visa related educational resources for professionals in the field Monitor input from the field and determine when new resources are needed Monitor input from the field and determine when new resources are needed Ensure that posted resources and information are up- to-date, accurate and authoritative Ensure that posted resources and information are up- to-date, accurate and authoritative GOAL: Make the EA-KC area of the NAFSA website the definitive source for visa-related information, research and resources GOAL: Make the EA-KC area of the NAFSA website the definitive source for visa-related information, research and resources

NAFSA Visa Resources Education Abroad Visa Education Subcommittee (EAVES): In Action Currently auditing EA KC section of NAFSA website to organize resources and prioritize future needs Currently auditing EA KC section of NAFSA website to organize resources and prioritize future needs Ideas for future resources: Ideas for future resources: A Guide to Working with a Consulate A Guide to Working with a Consulate Information about the various international education associations (AACUPI, APUNE, AASAP, etc) Information about the various international education associations (AACUPI, APUNE, AASAP, etc) What happens to students when they arrive at a border? What happens to students when they arrive at a border? How to successfully batch process student visa applications How to successfully batch process student visa applications An aggregated list of consulate contact information by country An aggregated list of consulate contact information by country Helping parents understand the visa application process Helping parents understand the visa application process Webinars on various visa-related topics Webinars on various visa-related topics

NAFSA Visa Resources NAFSA Website Resources Related to Student Visas IssueNet

NAFSA Visa Resources NAFSA Website Resources Related to Student Visas Main EA KC Regulatory Page

NAFSA Visa Resources NAFSA Website Resources Related to Student Visas Updates on Student Visas

NAFSA Visa Resources NAFSA Website Resources Related to Student Visas EA KC Discussion Forum

Questions?