Traveling to the United States

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• Traveling to the United States
• An Overview of the F1 Visa Process

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Presentation Objective

• Defining Secure Borders / Open Doors
• Clarifying the ABCs of the visa process
• Reviewing SEVIS
• Explaining the appointment system
• Answering specific questions / concerns

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The Myth
Yeah Right!!!

• America Open Doors...

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 The Reality 

• Despite 9/11, the U.S. continues to welcome
  foreign visitors, particularly students.
• While some people think student visas are hard to
  get, this is not true Students are a high
  priority and have the highest approval rates.

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Application Process ABCs

• Request I20 from the US school
• Pay the SEVIS fee (www.fmjfee.com)
• Schedule your interview (212-340-4444)
• Pay the 100 visa processing fee (Fortis)
• Complete the necessary application forms
• Prepare your documents
• Interview

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DS-2019 Important Facts

• All students need an I20 form.
• Are they required for the interview?
• Yes! Without the I20 form you will not be able
  to interview!

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The Infamous SEVIS Fee (1)

• Who pays?
• How much?
• 100 for students

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The Infamous SEVIS Fee (2)

• When to pay?
• As soon as possible after receiving the SEVIS N
  number 72 hour update
• How to pay?
• Credit card www.fmjfee.com
• Local banks print the PDF file
• Remember No SEVIS payment, no interview its
  the law

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SEVIS Violators

• If you drop out of school, you must go home.
• SEVIS rule violators may have a very hard time
  qualifying for another visa.

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Making the Appointment

• Normal Procedure
• Purchase a PIN - 16.00
• Schedule the interview (212-340-4444)
• Summer Work-Travel
• Your consultant will schedule!!
• Group appointment system
• Remember schedule early!

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Visa Processing Fee

• How much?
• 100 for all applicants
• Non-refundable
• Where to pay?
• Any Fortis branch
• Remember No Fortis receipt, no interview

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Required Application Forms

• DS 156 - for all applicants
• DS 157 - for men 16-45
• DS 158 - for students
• electronic application form gets you a faster
  interview!

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Other Required Documents

• 5 x 5 photograph (strict rules!)
• Fortis receipt
• SEVIS receipt
• I-20 form
• Sealed transcripts

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Supporting Documents?

• Consulate no longer accepts documents during
  in-take process
• Officers rely on the interview, not the documents
• Hint Be organized! If the officer asks, produce
  documents quickly

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The Interview

• Why are students refused?
• unclear answers!
• First impressions (Pay attention watch for your
  number!)
• They have not told the truth.
• Interview length 1 - 3 minutes
• The central question Will the applicant return
  to Turkey?

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Qualifying for a Visa

• In 2006, 85 of student applicants received a
  visa
• Strong grades, good English, family ties to
  Turkey
• Remember Everyone is a presumed immigrant!

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Visa Delivery

• UPS delivery service
• Delivery take 2-3 days
• Cost for UPS service - 7 YTL

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Maalesef...

• 221(g) refusals Whats missing?
• 214(b) refusals Should you reapply?

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Visit Our Website for Complete Information

• Type www.usconsulate-istanbul.org.tr
• Click on the Non-Immigrant Visa link