A country other than your home country is often called a “third” country.  Applying for visa in a third country is oftentimes more difficult than applying at home and there are additional risks.  If a third country US consulate has concerns about your application, it will be denied.  Although unlikely, if your application is subject to a security clearance (administrative processing) then you may be stuck waiting in the third country for several weeks while waiting for your approval.  Denial of a visa application in a third country is especially problematic because you will not be allowed to return to the US until you have returned to your home country and obtained a visa there.

In order to apply for a visa in a third country, you must:

  • Have been continuously maintaining lawful non-immigrant status during your stay in the US.
  • Have a valid non-immigrant status document from the University of Vermont (see below). 
  • Have a “valid” reason for applying in the country where the consulate is located.  Your application is likely to be denied if the only reason for applying in that country is to avoid your home country consulate.  Examples of “valid” reasons include attending a conference and visiting family or friends.
  • Be able to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the consular officer that you have enough funding to complete your J-1 program and that you plan to return to your home country. If you have relatives that are US citizens or permanent residents, this will be more difficult to do.

​N.B. Workers in H status benefit from dual intent. Dual intent implies that that individual may choose to remain in the US on a more permanent basis (as a permanent resident, also called “green card holder”). Therefore, visa applicants at a US consulate overseas should not be overly concerned about the need to prove ties to home country.

Step 1: Find Out if You Need a Visa to Enter all Countries 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. Plan ahead because the visa application process can be time consuming. If your plane connects in another country then you may need a visa for that country as well. This is true even if you do not plan to exit the plane.

Step 2: Contact the US Consulate in the Third Country to Determine the Procedure

US consulates and 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.

Step 3: Obtain and Carry all the Documents You May Need to be Granted the Visa

When you go for your visa appointment, be sure to take the documents below.  While all of this documentation may not be strictly required, it is safest to bring as much as possible with you in the event you are asked for it. You will also need to have the visa application fee, photos and other standard visa application materials as specified by the consulate.  Details can be found on the Department of State's website.

  • Valid passport
  • Valid status document (H-1B approval notice or DS-2019).  DS-2019 holders are required to have a travel signature on the bottom right hand corner of the DS-2019 which is less than 1 year old.
  • Expired visa (if available)
  •  Invitation/appointment letter regarding your program from your UVM department
  • Letter of invitation or other pertinent document(s) from person or organization in the third country which helps explain the reason you are traveling to that country (if available this is important)
  • Financial support information showing proof of necessary funds to cover costs for your time in the US

 

Still have questions?  Contact us at InternationalScholars@uvm.edu or 802-656-4296.