Lev Kobrin
05-21-2009, 02:39 PM
DOS Releases Cable On Student and Exchange Visitor Update
May 20, 2009
Student and Exchange Visitor Update
Reference Document: STATE 017314, Date 2/09
TO ALL DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR POSTS
1. SUMMARY: The F, M, and J FAM notes have been extensively updated to reflect current guidance. VO/P has established a Student and Exchange Visitor Visa Center to answer F, M, and J case inquiries. Please remember that while the SEVIS record is the definitive proof of F, M and J eligibility, applicants currently are required to present accurately completed I-20 or DS-2019 paper forms. The CCD reports for SEVIS lookups have been enhanced. While not required for F or M applicants, medical insurance could help establish an applicant's eligibility. Admission to a lesser-known college or English language program is not in itself a reason for refusal, although all applicants should be able to explain their school choice and educational plan. The J-1 Skills List has been updated and is nearing publication in the Federal Register. This cable also provides reminders on the Summer Work/Travel program, an overview of F/M/J validation studies, and an update on two J-1 pilot programs. End Summary.
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UPDATED FAM NOTES
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2. As part of the extensive 2008 9 FAM revisions, the 9 FAM notes for 41.61 and 41.62 have been updated to include all recent guidance on F, M, and J visas. Suggestions for further revisions or clarifications are always welcome and should be sent to VO/L/R and your VO/F/P post liaison officer.
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NEW: THE STUDENT/EXCHANGE VISITOR VISA CENTER
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3. VO's Public Inquiries Division has created a unit to respond to inquiries about individual student and exchange visitor visa cases. The Center can be reached via email at [email protected] and typically receives almost 900 inquiries a month.
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FORMS
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4. The SEVIS record is the definitive record to determine student or exchange visitor visa eligibility (see 9 FAM 41.61 N2.2 and 41.62 N 8.1). The new version of SEVIS, expected to be released by spring 2010, will remove the requirement for the paper forms, but until then F/M/J visa applicants must present signed I-20 or DS-2019 forms. If there are minor errors on the form (e.g., a program start date that is off one day) you can process the case using that form. However, if the form indicates an unrealizable program start date, or has a typographic error in the bio data, you must verify that the information is correct in SEVIS. You should then consider whether the error on the form would cause the traveler difficulty at the port of entry. If it would, you should request that the applicant travel with a corrected hard copy of the form. 9 FAM 41.61 N3.1 and 9 FAM 41.62 N3.1 will be updated to include this information.
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STUDENTS AND LESSER-KNOWN PROGRAMS
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5. Please remember that, as noted in 9 FAM 41.61 N 7.2, attendance at a lesser-known college, English language program, or a community college is not, in itself, a reason for refusing a student visa applicant. A student must establish that he/she has a plan for his/her education. A plan that includes initial attendance at a community college or English language program, and then a transfer to a four-year college, certainly is acceptable. Which school a student chooses is not nearly as important as why he/she chose it.
6. We encourage you to welcome community college or other university recruiters to brief your section on their schools and programs. You may wish to ensure your post website has links to USG sites such as www.exchanges.state.gov, www.educationusa.state.gov, www.ed.gov, and educational association sites such as www.communitycollegeusa.com, www.edupass.org, or www.iie.org.
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MEDICAL AND TRAVEL INSURANCE
----------------------------
7. Per 22 CFR 62.14, J-1 and J-2 travelers are required to have adequate medical insurance in order to participate in an exchange program. While F and M students and their dependants are not required to have U.S. medical or travel insurance in order to qualify for a visa, most universities require students to have medical insurance. Assurance that a student would be able to afford any health care expenses in the United States could certainly help a student overcome public charge concerns. 9 FAM 41.61 N6.1-3 and 41.62 N 8.1 (c) will be added to reflect this reminder.
См. продолжение
May 20, 2009
Student and Exchange Visitor Update
Reference Document: STATE 017314, Date 2/09
TO ALL DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR POSTS
1. SUMMARY: The F, M, and J FAM notes have been extensively updated to reflect current guidance. VO/P has established a Student and Exchange Visitor Visa Center to answer F, M, and J case inquiries. Please remember that while the SEVIS record is the definitive proof of F, M and J eligibility, applicants currently are required to present accurately completed I-20 or DS-2019 paper forms. The CCD reports for SEVIS lookups have been enhanced. While not required for F or M applicants, medical insurance could help establish an applicant's eligibility. Admission to a lesser-known college or English language program is not in itself a reason for refusal, although all applicants should be able to explain their school choice and educational plan. The J-1 Skills List has been updated and is nearing publication in the Federal Register. This cable also provides reminders on the Summer Work/Travel program, an overview of F/M/J validation studies, and an update on two J-1 pilot programs. End Summary.
-----------------
UPDATED FAM NOTES
-----------------
2. As part of the extensive 2008 9 FAM revisions, the 9 FAM notes for 41.61 and 41.62 have been updated to include all recent guidance on F, M, and J visas. Suggestions for further revisions or clarifications are always welcome and should be sent to VO/L/R and your VO/F/P post liaison officer.
-------------------------------------------
NEW: THE STUDENT/EXCHANGE VISITOR VISA CENTER
----------------------------------------------
3. VO's Public Inquiries Division has created a unit to respond to inquiries about individual student and exchange visitor visa cases. The Center can be reached via email at [email protected] and typically receives almost 900 inquiries a month.
---------
FORMS
---------
4. The SEVIS record is the definitive record to determine student or exchange visitor visa eligibility (see 9 FAM 41.61 N2.2 and 41.62 N 8.1). The new version of SEVIS, expected to be released by spring 2010, will remove the requirement for the paper forms, but until then F/M/J visa applicants must present signed I-20 or DS-2019 forms. If there are minor errors on the form (e.g., a program start date that is off one day) you can process the case using that form. However, if the form indicates an unrealizable program start date, or has a typographic error in the bio data, you must verify that the information is correct in SEVIS. You should then consider whether the error on the form would cause the traveler difficulty at the port of entry. If it would, you should request that the applicant travel with a corrected hard copy of the form. 9 FAM 41.61 N3.1 and 9 FAM 41.62 N3.1 will be updated to include this information.
----------------------------------
STUDENTS AND LESSER-KNOWN PROGRAMS
----------------------------------
5. Please remember that, as noted in 9 FAM 41.61 N 7.2, attendance at a lesser-known college, English language program, or a community college is not, in itself, a reason for refusing a student visa applicant. A student must establish that he/she has a plan for his/her education. A plan that includes initial attendance at a community college or English language program, and then a transfer to a four-year college, certainly is acceptable. Which school a student chooses is not nearly as important as why he/she chose it.
6. We encourage you to welcome community college or other university recruiters to brief your section on their schools and programs. You may wish to ensure your post website has links to USG sites such as www.exchanges.state.gov, www.educationusa.state.gov, www.ed.gov, and educational association sites such as www.communitycollegeusa.com, www.edupass.org, or www.iie.org.
----------------------------
MEDICAL AND TRAVEL INSURANCE
----------------------------
7. Per 22 CFR 62.14, J-1 and J-2 travelers are required to have adequate medical insurance in order to participate in an exchange program. While F and M students and their dependants are not required to have U.S. medical or travel insurance in order to qualify for a visa, most universities require students to have medical insurance. Assurance that a student would be able to afford any health care expenses in the United States could certainly help a student overcome public charge concerns. 9 FAM 41.61 N6.1-3 and 41.62 N 8.1 (c) will be added to reflect this reminder.
См. продолжение