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It is your responsibility to investigate and meet visa requirements for entry of citizens from your country into the USA (see below). For a visit of short duration, the most straightforward approach is to obtain a tourist visa. A student visa is not appropriate in this case because those are intended for students enrolled and paying tuition to an academic institution for a longer term of study. If you must apply for a visa, certainly you will want to include the letter of acceptance to the School in the application documents.
For any participant receiving a grant for international travel, please be advised that there will be a strict stipulation to travel on a U.S. carrier. Codeshare is allowed as long as the ticket is issued by the US airline. Grants are provided from a National Science Foundation grant, and this is a strict requirement.
Helpful information on US visas can be accessed at:
http://www.usimmigrationsupport.org/
Recently, the U.S. has updated its visa policies to increase security for citizens and visitors. It will likely take you longer to get a visa than it used to, and you will find that a few new security measures have been put into place. For details that may apply specifically to your country, see information posted by your nearest consulate or embassy. While individual differences may differ slightly, here are the basic steps you should follow and what you can expect throughout the process.
Basic steps for obtaining a U.S. visa:
- Schedule an appointment at the U.S. embassy or consulate in your country. Be sure to do this early, because there may be a wait.
- Ask the embassy what applications or forms you will need and where you can obtain them. Get the forms.
- Ask the embassy about what fees you must pay before your appointment. Pay these fees and get a receipt.
- Ask the embassy what documentation you will need for your appointment. Get your documentation ready, including:
–a valid passport
–any required application forms
–any required documentation such as employment details, reason for travel and financial status
–proof of payment of fees
–If you are applying for a student visa, talk to the U.S. school or exchange program to obtain all the forms you need to present them with your application.
- Submit your application, passport and supporting documents to the U.S. embassy or consulate for review.
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