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Education Abroad
Visa Updates
NAFSA: Association of International Educators
Consular Affairs Liaison Subcommittee
of the
Education Abroad Regulatory Practice Committee
NAFSA: Education Abroad Regulatory
Practice Committee
Chair:
Michael Steinberg
IES
Government Liaison
Financial Aid Subcommittee Chair
Consular Affairs Liaison (CAL) Subcommittee Chair
Consular Affairs Liaison Representative
Regulatory Compliance Representative
NAFSA: Consular Affairs Liaison Subcommittee
Chair: Kirsten McKinney
Hollins University
Country Coordinator: France
Consular Liaisons: France
Country Coordinator: Italy
Consular Liaisons: Italy
Country Coordinator: Spain
Consular Liaisons: Spain
Country Coordinator: UK
Consular Liaisons: UK
Country Coordinator: World-at-Large
Consular Liaisons: World-at-Large
Select one of the top four countries
or any “other” country.
Visit: http://www.nafsa.org/eavisahelp
Visit: http://www.nafsa.org/eavisahelp
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1000 characters
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UK • Two Student Routes
• Short Term Student Route
• Less than 6 months (no work, internships or
volunteering permitted)
• General Student Visa under Tier 4
• For courses longer than 6 months, and all
courses involving study + work/internship
• Streamlined application process for students
from low-risk countries attending Highly
Trusted Sponsor institutions
• Not required to include evidence of funding
• Consulate could still request proof
• Submit application to UK consulate at least
6 weeks before program start date
• Or choose Priority Processing ($156) at time
of application mailing
• UKVI aims to process most applications within
15 business days
• New Tier 4 Biometric Residency Permit
• New Health Insurance surcharge
Country Coordinator
Laurence Tuccori
University of Kentucky
Regional Liaisons
• Amber Schneider
• Christine Menand
• Katharine Reinhart
• Jessa Boche
SPAIN
Background checks
• Only required for student stays of more than 180 days. May be State Police issued check WITH Apostille stamp, or FBI Check.
Batch processing by study abroad offices/universities
• Allowed at most of the consulates except DC. San Francisco and NY allows batch drop-off and will mail passports back to students when finished.
• There are different requirements for individuals than for batch processing. Be sure to check their website!
Appointments vary
• Check with your specific consulate for times available for batching.
• Most consulates have on-line companies handling the scheduling of appointments and will not take walk-ins. DC takes walk-in (first-come, first-served) and does not accept appointments. Check the consulate websites to see updated information.
• The New York Consulate is piloting a program in 2014 that will no longer require in-person visits and may be all done by mail. Batch processing still does require an appointment, however.
Non-U.S. citizens
• Most consulates accept Schengen and student visa applications from non-U.S. citizens
• Always check Consulate website before submitting as changes can happen without notice.
Country Coordinator
Holly Zimmerman-LeVoir
University of Minnesota
Regional Liaisons
• Boston: Lee Frankel
• Chicago: Danette Bontrager
• Houston: Curtiss Stevens
• LA: Monica Reynolds
• Miami: Regina Foster
• NY: Eliza Camire-Akey
• SF: Stacy West
• Washington DC: Hilary Hartley
ITALY Two-step Immigration process
Student Visa Requirements (90 days or more) • US & Non-Schengen or –EU Nationals: Visa is required; use
National visa application form; no cost for study visa
Visa Requirements (less than 90 days) • US and Nationals of visa-waiver countries: No Visa • International students from non-visa waiver countries (China,
Haiti, etc.): Visa is required; use Schengen visa application form
Permesso di Soggiorno (Permit of Stay) • All students (not including Schengen citizens) staying 90 days
or more in Italy must complete the PDS kit
• Schengen citizens must make a declaration of presence if their
stay will be 90+ days
• Cost can vary depending on length of stay and other
circumstances but is generally ~155€ (split into various fees)
Updates and Important Notes • Fingerprinting requirement for Short-Stay Schengen visa
applicants (i.e., students from China, Vietnam, etc.) • Private program providers can no longer batch process • LA: Batch processing only • NY: Student’s name must be on bank letter • SF & Chicago: only accepts USPS for passport return (NOT
FedEx or UPS like most other consulates) • Chicago & Miami: Only AACUPI members may batch apps • No 1 problem: Financial documentation • Visa Requirements vary by consulate – check websites!
Encourage students to begin the application process as soon as possible within the 90 day window before their program start date.
Country Coordinator
David Younger
University of Notre Dame
Regional Liaisons
• Boston: Aliki Karagiannis
• Chicago: Angela McNutt
• Detroit: David Younger
• Houston: Maria Jose Angel Mex
• LA: Katerina Georgieva
• Miami: Sarah Egerer
• NY: Gael Noyes
• SF: Noah Kuchins
• Washington, DC: Karen Wardzala
Open Liaison Positions – Inquire if interested:
• Philadelphia
FRANCE • CampusFrance Updates
• Assigned consulate will be enforced. Students need to be mindful as they create their PASTEL account.
• Passwords can no longer be retrieved by CampusFrance staff. Consider using a single password for group.
• Group mailings are now possible. Reduces processing time from three weeks to roughly one week from receipt of materials. New option for school to submit single check or money order for whole group. (See handout)
• Consulate Updates
• Most consulates are experimenting with batch processing for U.S., Canadian and Australian passport holders, but until there is an official announcement, the current process remains in effect unless otherwise noted.
Country Coordinator
Jason Sanderson, PhD
Georgetown University
Regional Liaisons
• Boston: Emily Brazer
• Houston: Loy Macari
• LA: Briana Sapp
• NY: Rebecca James
• SF: Noah Kuchins
• Washington, DC: Jason Sanderson
• Chicago: Brock Price
• Atlanta: Sally Turnbull
Open Liaison Positions – Inquire if interested:
• Miami
SCHENGEN
STATES
• Schengen and the E.U.
• 6 E.U. member states (U.K., Ireland, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania) are not currently part of Schengen Area
• 4 E.U. non-member states (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) are part of the Schengen Area
• Biometrics
• Effective May 15, 2014 all U.S.-based consulates of Schengen countries are linked to the Visa Information System (VIS). All applicants’ biometrics will be taken at their appointment
• Schengen vs. National Visas
• Schengen visas are limited to 90-day stays in the Schengen Area
• U.S. passport holders are generally exempt from obtaining a Schengen visa
• 90-day limit out of 180 rolling calendar days (see handout for calculator website URL)
• No central authority to refer cases – each country may interpret treaty differently
Coordinator
Jason Sanderson, PhD
Georgetown University
World-At-Large • WAL Team offers best
practices
• Based on information and
visa processing experience of
the group members
• Do not have consulate
Liaisons
• Reference the
www.nafsa.org/eavisas for
updates on recent visa changes
for various countries
Country Coordinator
Miguel Ayllon
University of Missouri
World-at-Large Liaisons
• Lisa Brown
• Clementine Hakizimana
• Rochelle Keesler
• Debbie Miller
• Joe Milostan
• Joe Sevigny
• Jolie Roetter
• Mike Trost
FBI Record
• First determine if the consulate does indeed want a record from the FBI. Otherwise, a state police record may suffice and is much faster to obtain. Your consulate website should indicate what they require.
• When authentication of the FBI record is required, send record to the Office of Authentications at the US State Department to request an Apostille stamp.
• Fingerprints from any police station or local law enforcement office will be required. Call ahead for fingerprinting office hours. Request 2-3 sets of prints.
• Processing time is approximately 10 to 12 weeks.
• Students with strict time limits who wish to expedite the Department of State authentication process are encouraged to work with a visa processing service (may be able to get authentication within 24 hours) It is recommended that you work with an FBI approved channeler for this process.
• Nearly 25 percent of requests for records are denied because of missing information, illegible fingerprints, or incorrect payment.
• FBI: http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/background-checks/faqs
International Student Visas
• Many Countries require visa for non-US students
• Countries may require entry visas (even if U.S. citizens are not required to obtain a visa)
• Visa fee may vary based on the country of origin of the applicant
• Students may have to appear in person
• Some countries may require transit visas even if that country is not the student’s final destination
• Countries may require a valid US. Visa at the time of application
• Non-US citizens should check with their advisors to obtain information for reentry to the US prior to travel for study abroad
Visa Process
• Visa application process:
• Home institutions takes charge of application process
• Program sponsor takes charge of application process
• Student is responsible for application process
• Consider the possibility of using a visa processing agency
for relevant countries to ensure accurate review of visa
applications and support
Upcoming Collegial
Conversations
• Wednesday, June 10th - Student Visas for France
• Tuesday, June 16th - Student Visas for the United
Kingdom
• Thursday, July 9th - Student Visas for Italy
NAFSA Help
• Committees
• Education Abroad Regulatory Practice Committee
• Consular Affairs Liaison Subcommittee
• Online
• Visa Updates: www.nafsa.org/eavisas
• Visa Assistance: www.nafsa.org/eavisahelp
• Publication
• Student visas: What you need to know before you go
Publication
• Student Visas
• Top 10 do’s and don’ts
• FAQs
• Passport information
• Helpful web sites
• Glossary of visa terms
• Purchase online
Thank You
Get involved: Receive visa updates - Make connections with your
consulate - Help others in the field!
To find out about volunteer opportunities with CAL or the Visa Education Subcommittee, please visit www.nafsa.org/openpositions