VISA UPDATE - BEST PRACTICES. NAFSA Education Abroad Regulatory Practice Committee & Consular Affairs Liaison Subcommittee Regional Conference 2011

Transcription

1 VISA UPDATE - BEST PRACTICES NAFSA Education Abroad Regulatory Practice Committee & Consular Affairs Liaison Subcommittee Regional Conference 2011

2 MEMBERS SUPPORTING MEMBERS Chair Regulatory Practice Committee Government Liaison Financial Aid Monitor Consular Affairs Liaison Subcommittee Chair Country Coordinators Consular Liaisons Consular Affairs Liaison (CAL) Subcommittee Chair CAL Country Coordinator Rep to Committee Conference Coordinator Working to make government regulations easier to understand and manage

3 MEMBERS SUPPORTING MEMBERS NAFSA Education Abroad Consular Affairs Liaison Subcommittee Chair: Heidi Soneson, University of Minnesota Country Coordinators (France, Italy, Spain, UK) Consular Liaisons (France, Italy, Spain, UK) Country Coordinator World At Large (priority on Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, China) Consular Liaisons World At Large Working to make government regulations easier to understand and manage

4

5

6

7

8 Jason Sanderson Georgetown University Regional Liaisons Liliane Spenle, Atlanta Emily Brazer, Boston Janis Halpern, Chicago Jane Chandler, Houston Elaine Padilla, LA Rebecca James, NY Telisa Gunter, SF Giselda Beaudin, Miami WHATS NEW: FRANCE CampusFrance Updates: CampusFrance requires admission letters with exact program dates, and the name and contact information of the US study abroad advisor. Conditional approval letters cannot be accepted. CampusFrance fees for study abroad students will increase to $100 in 2012 (exact date TBD). Consulate Updates: Biometric procedures in effect at all consulates since January. All consulates have now harmonized the supporting documentation they require. Students may now apply at the consulate of their home address jurisdiction or school address jurisdiction. Consulates now require bank statements to document sufwicient funds (currently $820 per month in France). Required amounts are adjusted for students on Winancial aid.

9 Jason Sanderson Georgetown University Regional Liaisons Liliane Spenle, Atlanta Emily Brazer, Boston Janis Halpern, Chicago Jane Chandler, Houston Elaine Padilla, LA Rebecca James, NY Telisa Gunter, SF Giselda Beaudin, Miami WHATS NEW: FRANCE Consulate Updates (cont): Single semester students ( days) have the choice of whether or not to go through OFII. They decide at the time of application at the consulate. Visa fees for both options will remain the same (current dollar equivalent of 50 ). Students who opt out of the OFII process will NOT have the right to work, nor will they be able to extend the validity of their visa in France. Students studying in France longer than 180 days are still required to go through the OFII step. OFFI Updates: Since students who opt out of the OFII process will be issued a different type of visa from other students, they CANNOT change their status on site and decide to go through the process. Several OFII ofwices have begun summonsing students via . This pilot program applies for U.S. passport holders only.

10 Karen Wardzala Georgetown University WHATS NEW: ITALY There are no updates to processes or procedures, but here is a recap of the most recent changes: As of September 1, 2010, Student visas are no longer required for U.S. students who study in Italy for up to 90 days. This also applies to International students who are citizens of countries that are exempt from applying for a visitor visa. Regional Liaisons Debbie Miller, Boston Rosemary Sands, Chicago Dianne De Salvo, Detroit Erika Payán Zanetti, Houston Sarah Egerer, Miami Suzanne Shane, New York Scott Keller, Philadelphia Dana Rosen, Los Angeles Kati Bell, San Francisco Karen Wardzala, Washington, DC U.S. citizens studying in Italy for more than 90 days will need to complete the new National visa application form. The new Schengen visa application form (in use since April 2010) should be used for students on short study programs (under 90 days) who are citizens of countries that are NOT exempt from applying for a visitor visa (China, Haiti, etc.). Housing requirements: The NY Consulate requires the students address in Italy in the acceptance letter issued by the US or host institution. The Miami Consulate prefers the students address in the acceptance letter, however they continue to accept a statement that housing will be provided (as in the past). Remaining consulates continue to accept a statement that housing will be provided by the host institution or program. Reminder: Consulates reserve the right to change their requirements and/or request additional information at their discretion.

11 Angela Perryman Colorado State University Regional Liaisons Lee Frankel, Boston TBD, Chicago Minita Santizo, Houston Angela Perryman, Los Angeles Regina Foster, Miami Tina Breakell, New York Stacy West, San Francisco Katherine Kammann, Washington, DC WHATS NEW: SPAIN Spanish Consulates are allowing students to again submit state issued background checks from the students state of residence with the Apostille issued by the Secretary of States ofhice to fulwill the CertiWication of absence of police records requirement. Students now have two options: 1. Submit the FBI Background Check (this is still the preferred documentation). As federal documents, the FBI Background check must be submitted to the U.S. Dept. of State to secure the Apostille of the Hague stamp. 2. Submit a state issued background check from the state of residence (generally these are issued by the State Bureau of Investigation). The State Background Check must also be veriwied with an Apostille from the Secretary of States ofwice of the issuing state. This documentation is only required for stays of 180 days or longer.

12 Kirsten McKinney Hollins University Regional Liaisons Bridget Donoghue Shima Gorgani Laurence Tuccori Christine Menand WHATS NEW: UK Two Student Routes: (1) Student Visitor: less than 6 months (no work); $125 for visa national effective April 6, 2011 (2) General Student Visa Under Tier 4 $421 All applications processed in NY Tier 4: 28 day rule for proof of funds (continuous) CAS required as of February 2010 Remember to submit original documents! Guidance state to allow for 6 week min. processing time; or choose Priority ($150) or Premium processing ($100) at time of application mailing Internships (50% rule/bunac) remain intact for university level courses (66/33 for non HEIs from April 2012) Student Research Tier 5 with UK institution serving as sponsor (Government authorized exchange) Business Visitor Route (faculty leading short term programs less than 6 months)

13 Kirsten McKinney Hollins University Regional Liaisons Bridget Donoghue Laurence Tuccori Christine Menand WHATS NEW: UK UK Student Immigration Reform (announced March 2011) What we know now; reforms for 2012 From April 2012, all sponsors must achieve Highly Trusted Sponsor status; interim limit on CAS until reached. Must reapply (new app and new fee) every 12 months. QAA oversight required for study abroad programs without US accreditation themselves or for US full degree programs in the UK. Streamlined app process for students from low risk countries attending HTS institutions); will no longer need to provide evidence of funding (but must have on hand as Consulate could still request). English prowiciency for students not holding a passport from a majority English speaking country; HEIs can make own assessment and note in CAS. Students at universities and study abroad programs sponsored by overseas HEI (UK campus and third party) retain current work permissions (50/50 rule still applies) Only postgraduate and Government sponsored students will be permitted to bring dependents.

14 Kristin Amos Abanyie WHATS NEW: OTHER COUNTRIES NAFSAs education abroad visa web site offers visa information for a variety countries including Australia, China, Czech Republic, and Mexico. Priority Countries: Argentina Australia Chile China Brazil: Motumbo Kabesele Central America: Beth Laux Kristins team will attempt to assist with visa guidance for any country. Submit your request to IssueNet. Kristin welcomes additional liaisons to join her team. Please contact Kristin through IssueNet. Additional liaisons: Aaron Caplan, Perry International Joe Sevigny, IES Elizabeth Lauze, CIEE

15 FBI Clearance The Attorney General establishes rules and regulations for individuals to obtain copies of their FBI Identification Record. Nearly 25 percent of requests for records are rejected due to insufficient data (e.g., missing information, illegible fingerprints, incorrect payment) Fingerprints should be solicited from any police station or local law enforcement office. There may be specific times when fingerprinting can be done during business hours, so students should be sure to contact the station beforehand and potentially schedule an appointment. If possible, the student should ask for 2-3 sets of prints. If the consulate requires the FBI record to be authenticated, the students original application to the FBI should indicate that it must be authenticated by the DOS. The document will be given a special stamp by the FBI. Once received, the document must be forwarded to the Office of Authentications at the DOS to obtain an apostille stamp. Extensive efforts have been made to reduce processing times at the FBI, which hitherto had been as long as ten weeks. Students facing strict time limits that wish to expedite the DOS authentication process are encouraged to work with a visa processing service, as they can guarantee 24-hour processing in some cases. Additional information can be found at or on NAFSAs EA Spain visa website. Requests for assistance can also be submitted to NAFSAs IssueNet.

16 International Student Visas Obtaining Visas for International Students International students visas require a very different process then US citizen visas Each international student has unique circumstances Most countries require entry visas of international students even when U.S. citizens are not required to obtain a visa International students should be prepared to go to the consulate or embassy which holds jurisdiction for their school Most consulates/embassies require an in person interview Check with the Consulate/Embassy to see if documents can be sent ahead of the interview time to be reviewed so that there is only one visit required Some smaller countries only have one location in the US to obtain a visa (i.e. Embassy of Slovenia in Cleveland, OH is the only location to issue visas) International students should check with their international adviser regarding their US student visa status International students need to make sure their US student visa will be valid upon their return to the U.S.

17 Visa Education Best Practices The newest addition in the Education Abroad Series of booklets, Student Visas, What You Need to Know Before You Go! Helps to inform students about the entire student visa process. It provides much needed information and common sense steps to smooth the visa application process and avoid last minute problems why they need a student visa, navigating the process, working with the consulate, and the pitfalls to avoid. Booklet includes top ten do's and don'ts, FAQs, passport info, helpful Web sites, glossary of visa terms, and much more. Available in single copies or packs of 40. By: Kenya Casey and Mary Ryan Dando, 2008

18 Your NAFSA Resources EA Visas Updates EA Visa Assistance Note: register for a NAFSA ID and password in advance to facilitate submissions to NAFSA s EA Visa Help!

19 ENSURE CLARITY! No matter what Student and staff confusion does not further our mission. Take the time to write down your offices visa policy in your student materials.

20 Visa Education - Best Practices Three questions to consider in deciding on a plan:? 1. What level of assistance do your students REALLY need? 2. What amount of time and resources does your ofwice have to commit to this task? 3. What are the possible benewits and risks?

21 THANK YOU! We are seeking volunteers. Consider getting involved! Contact us via