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Visa Resources Page

Welcome to the Visa Resources page. This page was created to give our members up-to-date information for successfully applying for visas to the U.S., along with resources to streamline the visa application process.

As an organization, Sister Cities International is unable to process visas directly through the U.S. Department of State. However, there are several resources outlined below that can help answer questions and properly prepare inbound and outbound travelers as they work through attaining passports and visas. Visit http://travel.state.gov/ for more information from the U.S. Department of State on country requirements and news updates.

Visa News

NEW! Exchange Visitor Website

The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) State officially launched the J-1 Visa: Exchange Visitor Program website. The site contains a wealth of information on all aspects of J-1 visa exchange programs, including resources specifically for:

Participants (such as how to find the right J-1 program and sponsor)
Sponsors (including information on SEVIS, program regulations, and designations)
Host families/employers/schools (such as how to apply host J-1 exchange participants).

State Department Creates Smart Traveller App

The U.S. Department of State recently released its new iPhone App Smart Traveler, which "invites you to see the world with easy access to frequently updated official country information, travel alerts, travel warnings, maps, U.S. embassy locations, and more", according to the Department's website.

The App draws upon content also posted to www.state.gov and http://travel.state.gov and allows users to, among other things, see travel warnings and alerts issued by the State Department, gather background information about different countries, and find U.S. embassies and consulates overseas.

Online Visa Toolkit

Now available online is an in-depth outline of the visa application process for a range of different visas, along with tips for having a successful consular interview, links to embassies and Department of State visa resources, and forms you will need to complete in order to apply for a US visa. The Online Visa Toolkit includes the following documents:

Visa Types for Inbound Travelers
Important Links and Resources for Inbound and Outbound Travelers
Inbound Visa Toolkit
Outbound Visa and Passport Toolkit
Important Forms for Visa Applications
Frequently Asked Questions

Visa Audio Seminars

Choosing the Best Visa for Your International Visitor: (January 2009) This seminar was a basic introduction to the B (Business and Tourist), F (Student), and J (Exchange) Visas. Lois Magee, an immigration and visa expert from the American Immigration Law Foundation, provided insight into the process of applying for these different visas and fielded questions about the challenges that local Sister Cities are facing when trying to bring visitors to the US. Click on the following link to hear the Audio Recording of the January Visa Audio Seminar.

Demystifying the J-1 Visa - Consular Processing and Maintaining SEVIS Status: (October 2008) Produced and moderated by the American Immigration Law Foundation, this seminar covered such questions as: Who is the Visa Officer behind the window? Why are some countries more difficult than others in securing a J-1 visa? What do I do when my visa application is denied? Listen to a panel of experts discuss the importance of demonstrating home ties and how to work with US Consulates to successfully acquire a J-1 visa. Click on the following link to hear the Audio Recording of the October Visa Seminar.

If you are interested in receiving a CD of both seminars, please email Jennelle Root at jroot@sister-cities.org.

High School Homestay USA

Sister Cities International has partnered with American Cultural Exchange Service, a J-1 sponsoring organization, to help international students in the Sister Cities network get their J-1 visa for one year or semester of study in a US public high school. Anyone in the Sister Cities network can apply for this program. More information can be found in the Youth and Education Department webpage.

Letters of Invitation

For programs organized by the DC Office, Sister Cities International can write letters of invitation for inbound visitors to help with the application process. This includes the biannual leadership meetings and the Annual Conference. For programs run by local sister city associations, letters of invitation must be written by the local officials responsible for the event. Sister Cities International can write letters of support for the exchange but a local letter will also be necessary and more effective. An Invitation Letter Template can be found in the Important Forms Section of the Online Visa Toolkit to be used as a guide for writing letters of invitation for international visitors.

Contact Jennelle Root, Special Programs Manager, at jroot@sister-cities.org or 202-347-8635 with questions regarding the visa application process.

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