A slight increase of the non-immigrant visa fees expected this year

17/02/2010

In December last year the Department of State projected to augment the nonimmigrant visa application processing fees, also called the Machine-Readable Visa (MRV) fee.  The Department is proposing the increase to guarantee sufficient resources to cover the growing cost of processing nonimmigrant visas (NIVs).

The new structure was created to cover the higher price for processing certain categories of nonimmigrant visas that are more complex and require more in detail deliberation than most other categories of nonimmigrant visas.  U.S. law requires the Department to attempt to recover the cost of processing non-immigrant visas through the collection of the application fees.  Because of ongoing process and security enhancements, the $131 fee set on January 1, 2008 is lower than the current, real cost of processing non-immigrant visas.

Under the proposed regulation, applicants for all visas that are not petition-based, including B1/B2 tourist and business visitor visas and all student and exchange-visitor visas, would pay a fee of $140.

The Department will not begin collecting the new proposed fees until it considers public commentary and publishes a final rule.

Go to the USA as a cultural exchange visitor

14/01/2010

If you are a young person between 18 and 26 in Canada who wants to learn more about life in the USA, the best thing to do is to go to the USA as an au-pair. You need to have a secondary school diploma and a driver’s license. As an au pair you  will live in a host family, which will be your sponsor. You will help in the domestic duties and with children for an exchange for room, board and a small allowance. You need to apply for J-1 visa, which is a non-immigrant visa and will allow you to stay in the USA for a designated period of time. Once this time is over, the au-pair is allowed to remain in the USA for 30 more days, which she can use for travelling around the country and enjoy life there.  Documents required for this exchange program are a passport valid at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the U.S, a passport-sized photo, proof of residency in Canada, application forms DS-156 and DS-158 and an application fee.

Non-Immigrant Visas : Who needs them?

08/12/09

If you live in Canada, intend to visit the States on a  short term stay and you are a citizen of another country, which does not belong to one of the 35 countries in the US Visa Waiver Program then you will need to obtain a visa. The visa you need to apply for will depend on  why you want to visit America for example your reasons may revolve around tourism, business, a study course, medical treatment or temporary work. The United States embassy and consulates in Canada will only issue non-immigrant visas after a successful face to face interview. The location of your interview is irrelevant in fact you can choose to have your interview at any consulate in Canada regardless of where you currently live and indeed, some consulates have more appointment vacancies than others.

Temporary visas for studying in the USA

08/11/09

It’s good news for foreign students who love in Canada but want to study in the USA. There are currently numerous full time places at a multitude of learning institutions, all of which are USCIS approved. Many of them include universities, high schools and American language schools. In fact, if you intend to study for less than 18 hours each week, you could do this on a tourist visa.  If study is the main purpose of your visit and you will be learning for more than 18 hours a week then you must obtain an F-1 student visa, which will cover you for the full length of your US study course or an or M-1 visa, which will cover a year of studies specifically to vocational students. To apply you need to be accepted by an institution, which is approved by the USCIS; they will provide the relevant study forms for you to fill out to apply for your visa and co-sign them with you. You also need to fill out forms DS-156 Non immigrant Visa Application as well and DS-158. It’s worth bearing in mind that your passport should be valid for 6 months past the expiration of your study course. Another point to bear in mind is the fact that the busiest time to apply for your non-immigrant visa interview is during the summer vacation particularly before the beginning of the fall semester. Plan ahead to avoid this – your visa can be issued up to 120 days before you have to register for your study, although access to the US will only be given 30 days before your course commences.

Immigrant vs Non-Immigrant Visas: the real difference

08/10/09

Visa terminology is confusing at the best of times particularly when the difference revolves round one simple word – non. After all, what really is the difference between a Non-immigrant visa and an Immigrant visa? The answer lies in the purpose of your visit in the US and the length of time you intend to stay there. Your choice of visa is determined by the purpose of your travel to the United States. Your visa will be non-immigrant if your stay is merely temporary, but there are over 20 non immigrant visas to choose from, which range from study visas to tourist and business to name but a few. Immigrant visas are of a more permanent nature. They are given to those individuals and families who want to live and work in the US long term. Visas under this banner fall into 4 main groups namely those covering family-sponsorship, employer sponsorship, special immigrants and the immediate relatives of existing immigrants.