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EmailFrequently Asked Questions - Visa Applicants from State Sponsors of Terrorism Countries
The information below provides answers tofrequently asked questions that are specifically pertinent to visa applicants who are citizens of Cuba, Iran, Sudan and Syria, since these four countries are designated as State Sponsors of Terrorism.
Iran does not have a U.S. Embassy. Where can Iranians apply for nonimmigrant visas?
Why do some countries only receive single entry visas?
How long may I stay in the United States on my student visa?
If I am student with a single entry visa, will I be able to renew my visa to continue my studies if I leave the United States
for a trip?
When I enter and depart the United States, how do I comply with the registration requirements of NSEERS (National Security
Entry-Exit Registration System)?
Do different U.S. embassies and consulates have different standards for approving visas?
What is the general policy for people who wish to obtain visas to come to the United States?
Iran does not have a U.S. Embassy. Where can Iranians apply for nonimmigrant visas?
Iranians may make appointments and apply for nonimmigrant visas at any nonimmigrant visa issuing post. However, if you do not speak English or a language commonly spoken in the country where you plan to apply, you should be aware that the interviewing officers' lack of familiarity with local conditions in your country may make it more difficult to demonstrate your qualifications for a visa. We have Farsi-speaking consular officers in Dubai and Ankara, and many Iranian nonimmigrant visa applicants choose to apply in those posts.
Why do some countries only receive single entry visas?
Current visa validity for Iranians is limited to one entry and three months, which is based on reciprocity for Americans traveling to Iran. Similarly, the visa validity for citizens of Cuba, Sudan and Syria is based on type of visa and reciprocity for Americans traveling to those countries. To learn more see the Reciprocity Tables by country.
How long may I stay in the United States on my student visa?
When you enter the United States on a student visa, you will usually be admitted for the duration of your student status. That means you may stay as long as you are a full time student, even if the F-1 visa in your passport expires while you are in America. For a student who has completed the course of studies shown on the I-20, and any authorized practical training, F-1 students are allow an additional 60 days to prepare for departure from the United States or to transfer to another school. If you depart the United States with an expired visa, you will need to obtain a new one before being able to return to resume your studies. A student visa cannot be renewed or re-issued in the United States; it must be done at an Embassy or Consulate abroad.
You will need to obtain a new student visa if you depart the United States during the course of your studies. You will need to be interviewed again by a consular officer and qualify for the student visa. Generally, continuing students who can show that they are in good standing in their academic programs should be able to qualify for new student visas to return and resume their studies. Continuing students should be prepared to provide evidence of progress in their program, along with evidence on continuing ability to cover tuition and living expenses. You should make an appointment for your interview as early as possible, so any additional processing required can be completed before your next academic term begins.
If you are subject to NSEERS registration, it is important that you properly register your entry into the United States AND your departure from the United States with the Department of Homeland Security at the port of entry. You can find detailed information about NSEERS at http://www.ice.gov/pi/specialregistration/index.htm.
Do different U.S. embassies and consulates have different standards for approving visas?
No. The procedures for processing visa applications may vary, but the same standards under U.S. law and policy apply wherever one applies for a visa.
What is the general policy for people who wish to obtain visas to come to the United States?
For nonimmigrant visas, generally, the applicant will make an appointment at a convenient embassy or consulate and pay the application fee. The applicant will have an interview in-person with a consular officer, who will ask questions and review documentation to determine whether the applicant qualifies for a visa. After the interview, and any necessary administrative processing, if the applicant qualifies the post issues a visa. Applicants for immigrant visas wishing to reside permanently in the United States must first be the beneficiary of a petition filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Petitions are most often based on family relationship or employment, but can also be self-generated by investors. In the case of an immediate relative, after the petition is approved, the State Department’s National Visa Center notifies the beneficiaries to schedule an interview with a consular officer at an embassy or consulate. If the consular officer determines the applicant is qualified, and there are no security concerns, the Department will issue an immigrant visa entitling the applicant to immigrate to the United States. Find out more about the immigrant visa process at www.travel.state.gov.
