Please read the following updates carefully if you are planning on applying for a visa at a U.S. consulate or are traveling outside the U.S.

OBTAINING VISAS

Following September 11, 2001, the U.S. embassies and consulates have increased their scrutiny of people applying for visas to enter the U.S. Due to these changes, visa applicants should be prepared for a process that may ask for extra documentation, include an extra visa application form, and take more time to complete.

If you are a new or a continuing international student or exchange visitor/scholar, Berkeley International Office (BIO) recommends that you check the website of the U.S. consulate at which you will apply for the visa for information regarding what forms, fees, and other documentation will be needed. The website should also give information regarding that consulate's particular application process. Links to most U.S. embassy and consulate websites can be found at http://www.travel.state.gov/links.html. In cases where the website does not include specific visa processing information, we suggest you, or someone in your home country, contact the consulate by phone in advance of your visit.

DS-157 - A NEW FORM: Effective immediately, all male nonimmigrant visa applicants between the ages of 16 and 45, regardless of nationality, must complete and submit a Form DS-157, in addition to the Nonimmigrant Visa Application (Form DS-156), when they are applying for a visa at a U.S. consulate. The U.S. Department of State has also stated that "consular officers reserve the right to require a DS-157 from any applicant for any visa classification."

AREAS OF SENSITIVE TECHNOLOGY: In some circumstances where the consular officer determines that a visa applicant may be involved in research or other work in an area of "sensitive technology", the process of obtaining a visa may take at least an additional three weeks for the consulate to obtain a security advisory opinion from the State Department.

APPLYING DURING TRAVEL TO A THIRD COUNTRY: If traveling to a country other than your home country for visits (consultations, conferences, vacations, etc.), please note that some U.S. consulates will not issue visas to third country nationals (TCNs). Check carefully for this information at the consulate's website.

TRAVEL DELAYS: Because of the above changes, the visa application process may take longer than it has previously. Traveling J, F, H, and O status holders should remember that for re-entry to the U.S., you must have a new "travel endorsement" on your I-20 or DS-2019 at least once every 12 months. A "travel endorsement" is a signature by a Berkeley International Office Adviser that affirms that you are a student or exchange visitor/scholar in good standing. BIO has a flyer, "Travel Outside and Re-entry to the U.S." with more information. H-1B, TN and O-1 status holders must obtain travel documents from BIO at least five working days before your departure. If you have questions about the visa application process and concerns about re-entry after travel outside the U.S., please call Berkeley International Office at 642-2818.

OBTAINING VISAS IN CANADA AND MEXICO - UPDATE: Persons physically present in the U.S. or Canada may be able to obtain an appointment and apply for a nonimmigrant visa at one of the U.S. consular posts in Canada, but should be aware that it is generally more difficult for applicants to obtain visas when they apply outside their own country. Consular officers in Canada or Mexico may be unable to properly assess the circumstances of and/or evaluate foreign documents presented by applicants who are visitors in Canada and Mexico. In such cases, the consular officer may deny the visa application and recommend that the applicant return to his/her country of normal residence. We recommend that you first discuss your case with an International Adviser in the Berkeley International Office before trying to obtain visas in either of these countries.

Berkeley International Office (BIO) at the University of California at Berkeley provides this moderated list as a service to Berkeley's staff supporting international scholars. The advice given to these staff members at Berkeley may differ from the advice given to support staff working with international scholars elsewhere. If you have a personal question or comment, please email BIO at internationaloffice@berkeley.edu or call (510) 642-2818.

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