Jun 2, 2011 - reapply for my visa? No. Visa processing begins with the application, which must be submitted at a U.S. em
Frequently Asked Questions Q&A with State Dept about New Visa Policy for Iranian Students – June 2, 2011 What are non-technical and non-sensitive fields? Is there a list indicating which fields are considered non-sensitive or non-technical? Non-sensitive, non-technical fields of study and research are those that do not contribute to the Iranian government’s proliferation activities. There is no list identifying these fields. Applications are processed on a case-by- case basis and depend on the field of study, special concentrations, and the university selected by the student. A consular officer at the embassy or consulate where you apply for a visa will review your specific program of study to determine whether it is in a non-sensitive or non-technical field. For information about applying for a U.S. visa, contact the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs or visit our website, travel.state.gov: o E-mail:,
[email protected] o Phone: (202) 663-1225 Can we get a letter from our university that indicates our field is not sensitive? Such a letter may help, but it is more important for you to be clear about your research and field of study during your interview. Can Iranian students in the United States go to Mexico or Canada to apply for visas with the new, longer validity? Students with multiple-entry visas can enter and exit the United States without applying for a new visa, as long as the existing visa is still valid. If your current visa has expired, you must apply for a new visa before you can seek reentry to the United States. Students and others who apply at a U.S. embassy or consulate in Mexico or Canada should be aware that necessary administrative processing may preclude a timely return to the United States. Russian and Chinese students with expired U.S. visas can travel to Mexico and Canada and return without applying for a new U.S. visa. Can you make it so Iranian students can too? Iranian students issued 24-month, multiple-entry visas may depart from and return to the United States as often as they would like within the 24-month validity of their visas. Once the visa expires, the student must apply for a new visa outside of the United States in order to return to the United States. Although some holders of expired U.S. visas from certain countries and in certain limited instances may return to the United States from Mexico or Canada without obtaining a new visa, this policy does not apply to nationals from countries designated as State Sponsors of Terrorism, such as Iran. We foresee no changes to this policy.
Can students apply at any U.S. embassy or consulate around the world? Or, are there preferred or suggested locations? Iranians can apply for U.S. visas at any U.S. embassy or consulate that issues visas, but for those who prefer to be interviewed in Persian, we suggest applying in Ankara or Dubai, which have Persian-speaking officers in the consular sections. I am currently a student with a single-entry F1 visa and I want to apply for a J1 visa. Can I get a multiple-entry visa without leaving the United States? No. You must be outside the United States to apply for a visa. However, you may apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to change status while in the United States. See the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov for more information. When you leave the United States after changing your status, you will need to apply for a new visa to re-enter the United States. Is it possible to mail the application to one of the U.S. embassies or consulates outside the country, and go there to pick up the visa? There is no way to apply for a U.S. visa while you are in the United States. The application process starts with an in-person interview at one of the U.S. embassies or consulates outside the United States. Is it possible to start my background check in the United States before I travel abroad to reapply for my visa? No. Visa processing begins with the application, which must be submitted at a U.S. embassy or consulate outside the United States. Can we expect that someday students will be able to re-apply for their visas in the United States? You should not expect this policy to be changed soon. Iranian students in the United States in non-sensitive and non-technical fields should plan to apply for new visas from outside the country. Is it possible for current Iranian students in the United States to be rejected the second time they apply for a U.S. visa? Yes. Each application is adjudicated on its merits. While previous visa issuances will be considered, they do not guarantee issuance in the future.
I applied for a U.S. visa before May 20, 2011, but I haven’t received the visa yet. Am I eligible for a multiple-entry visa? It depends on the visa issue date, not the application date. If your visa is issued after May 20, 2011, you will be considered for a multiple-entry visa. If your visa was issued before May 20, 2011, you will not receive a multiple-entry visa. The administrative process for issuing a U.S. visa is very long. Is it possible to shorten this period? The State Department is constantly working to streamline the visa process. The amount of time it takes to complete administrative processing varies from case to case. What happens after the two-year visa expires? Can we revalidate our visas after that? Status in the United States is determined by the Department of Homeland Security. Many students are able to remain in the United States for the duration of their studies, even if their visas have expired. If students choose to leave the United States and their current visas have expired, then they must reapply for new visas before they can seek reentry. There are often long waits for appointments for Iranian citizens. Can you shorten the time needed? We understand that students have a very specific timeframe from when they are accepted at an educational institution to when they need to be in the United States for their studies. U.S. embassies and consulates abroad regularly adjust their appointment schedules to accommodate more students during the high season. U.S. Consulate General Dubai, for instance, has already increased the number of appointments available to Iranian F1 applicants.
