You will need supporting documents to apply for a nonimmigrant visa that confirm your employment or activities at UVM. What documents you need will depend on the type of visa you are applying for:

• H-1B Employees will be provided with an I-797 Approval Notice for the H-1B petition that must be approved by USCIS prior to the visa application.
• J-1 Scholars and Visitors will be provided with a DS-2019 form after you and your department complete the required forms in iStart.
• TN-2 Employees will be provided with a letter confirming the proposed employment at UVM.
• E-3 Employees will be provided with a letter confirming the proposed employment at UVM and a certified Labor Condition Application.

When you receive your documents, please review them and notify the OIE immediately if any information appears incorrect.

Complete the Form DS-160 online to begin the visa application process. You will be asked which consulate or embassy you will apply to. If you are unsure, find the location closest to you at USEmbassy.gov. After you have completed the Form DS-160 you will need to pay the visa fee. Usually you can pay this online after completing the DS-160. Keep your receipt, as you will need it for your visa interview. While the DS-160 fee is standardized, US embassies and consulates in some countries charge an issuance fee as well. The US Department of State’s website will tell you the current fee for the DS-160 and if you will be subject to additional issuance fees.

After you complete the Form DS-160, carefully read the instructions at the end of the form for how to schedule the visa interview. Then, prepare for your interview by gathering the necessary supporting documents. In addition to the documents that the OIE will provide, you will be expected to present evidence of your credentials and other documents that show your eligibility for the visa classification. For some visa classifications (J-1, TN, E-3), you may also be asked at your appointment to explain your ties to your home country or show that you do not intend to stay in the USA permanently.

H-1B Documents for Visa Interview

• Nonimmigrant visa application confirmation page
• Proof of payment for the visa fee
• Passport (valid for at least 6 months)
• Original I-797 H-1B Approval Notice
• Copy of complete H-1B petition
• Diplomas, transcripts, or other documents showing degree(s) obtained
• Resume or CV
• For renewal or visa application made after start of employment: recent paystubs and/or letter from OIE confirming continued employment

J-1 Documents for Visa Interview

• Nonimmigrant visa application confirmation page
• Proof of payment for the visa fee
• SEVIS fee receipt (Form I-901)
• Passport (valid for at least 6 months)
• Form DS-2019 from University of Vermont (or in some cases your sponsoring organization)
• Proof of funding (bank statement, scholarship statement, etc.)
• Proof of ties to home country (if available - see above)
• Invitation or offer letter to the University of Vermont
• Any other documents requested by the US embassy or consulate
• Any other documents you think may assist your visa application

TN Documents for Visa Interview (Mexican citizens only)

• Nonimmigrant visa application confirmation page
• Proof of payment for the visa fee
• Mexican Passport (valid for at least 6 months)
• Diplomas, transcripts or other documentation demonstrating possession of a professional degree in a TN-eligible field. Degrees, diplomas, or certificates received by the beneficiary from an educational institution located outside of the United States, Canada, or Mexico must be accompanied by an evaluation by a reliable credentials evaluation service
• Letter from OIE confirming proposed employment at UVM
• Proof of ties to home country (if available - see above)
• Any other documents requested by the US embassy or consulate
• Any other documents you think may assist your visa application

Be ready to explain in English the purpose of your time at the University of Vermont. Always speak for yourself, and do not bring friends or family or mention what plans they may have for you.

Tips for the Visa Interview

• Answer all questions clearly but briefly. Do not give extra information that was not specifically requested.
• Speak honestly, politely, and directly to the officer. Maintain a positive attitude.
• Be ready to explain how your time at the University of Vermont fits your academic and/or career goals.
• If you do not understand a question, politely ask the officer to repeat it.

Check the US Department of State’s website for a list of visa wait times according to the US embassy or consulate where you applied. You will not be able to enter the US until your visa has been approved and your passport has been returned to you.

For some visa applicants, this processing can take a long time. Occasionally, applicants must go through something called administrative processing. There is no way to know in advance if your application will need to go through administrative processing.

Applicants In Administrative Processing May be asked to submit additional documents after their interview, such as the following:

• Invitation or Employment Offer Letter - Please discuss with the OIE if the consulate has specific requirements for the letter.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) - You should provide a detailed resume or CV including your professional and academic background and a brief list of all of your publications. It should also have a brief description of your current position.
• Supervisor's CV - Your supervisor or the principal investigator (PI) for your lab/research group should provide a detailed resume/CV, including his/her professional and academic background and a brief list of all publications. It should also have a brief description of his/her current position.
• Research - You should provide a complete and detailed description of your current and past research, and any research you intend to conduct in the US. The description should include a description of the practical applications of your research or study.
• Proof of Funding - How will you pay for your stay in the US, if you will not be employed by UVM? If you are using personal funding or have sponsorship from another organization, you should provide appropriate documentation (bank statements, sponsorship letter, etc).
• Itinerary - You should provide your trip itinerary with contact information about where you will be staying in the US. If you are a graduate student, provide the contact information for the professor who will be overseeing your studies.
• Travelers - You should provide a list of the names of people coming with you to the US, including family members and colleagues.
• Travel - For this, you should list the dates and location of all your international travel for the past ten years, including travel to the US.
• If your visa application is delayed due to administrative processing, contact us to discuss your timeline for arrival at UVM.

CAN I ATTEND MY VISA INTERVIEW IN A COUNTRY OTHER THAN MY HOME COUNTRY?

This is also called applying in a "third country" and may be possible, but there are additional steps you will need to take. First, you will need to find out if you need a visa to enter the country(s) you are traveling through. Whether or not you need a visa to enter a specific country depends on your country of citizenship and legal permanent residence. Check with the Embassy or Consulate of each country to find out whether or not you need a visa. A good resource for finding foreign embassies or consulates in the US is www.embassy.org. Contact the US Consulate in the "third country" to understand the process. US Consulates/Embassies may have different processes and timelines for visa applications. Before you finalize your travel plans, consult the US Department of State website for procedures at individual consulates and to make sure they accept third country visa applications and to see how long it will take to obtain a visa appointment.

CAN I APPLY FOR A NEW VISA BEFORE MY CURRENT VISA EXPIRES?

Yes, if you will be traveling and your visa will be expiring soon, you can renew your visa before your current one expires. Check with your consulate office to learn more, as there may be rules at your consulate about how early you can apply for a renewal.