Visa & Immigration Basics

Register in advance for a webinar to assist you in the visa application process, initial and renewals.

When you apply for a nonimmigrant visa, you must complete and submit the DS-160 Form before your visa appointment.

Students and scholars must apply for and obtain a valid visa stamp (also simply referred to as a “visa”) before entering the U.S.

Learn the difference between a “visa” and your “immigration status”.

If your visa has expired and you are traveling outside the U.S., you must apply for a new visa stamp through the same process as your initial visa application, in order to re-enter the U.S.

The U.S. Department of State may use a security clearance process when deciding whether to grant or deny a U.S. visa. This is called administrative processing, or, a Security Advisory Opinion (SAO).

This benefit allows certain nonimmigrants with expired visas to re-enter the U.S. after visiting a “contiguous territory” for 30 days or less.