Visa Type Inquiry

[Hatem 0]

I have been admitted to a 7 days summer school for graduate students in University of New Orleans, no enrollment process involved.

I believe since the duration is one week only I will be ineligible for student visa.

So what type of visa should I apply to?

Thanks in advance.

[Moosker 7]

You shouldn't need a visa to do the 1 week of summer school. Many people travel to the U.S. on vacation and they do not need a visa.

Have all of your paperwork for the class/housing/etc. and documentation proving that you are coming back upon completion of the class.

[LIFE'SJOURNEY 970]

I have been admitted to a 7 days summer school for graduate students in University of New Orleans, no enrollment process involved.

I believe since the duration is one week only I will be ineligible for student visa.

So what type of visa should I apply to?

Thanks in advance.

A visitor visa.

[LIFE'SJOURNEY 970]

You shouldn't need a visa to do the 1 week of summer school. Many people travel to the U.S. on vacation and they do not need a visa.

Have all of your paperwork for the class/housing/etc. and documentation proving that you are coming back upon completion of the class.

Unless the OP is from Canada they will need either a VWP or a visitor visa. Since they didn't indicate their country of residence it would be neglect on our part to say just come on over/down without permission granted.

[Moosker 7]

True, sorry, if you're coming from a country like Canada, you can just come over with no issue typically. Other countries you may need a temporary visitors visa.

[Ning 619]

I have been admitted to a 7 days summer school for graduate students in University of New Orleans, no enrollment process involved.

I believe since the duration is one week only I will be ineligible for student visa.

So what type of visa should I apply to?

Thanks in advance.

You really need to give the correct info to get a usable answer. Like indicating what country you live in. It isnt as simple as showing up at the POE & saying hello.

[Hatem 0]

You really need to give the correct info to get a usable answer. Like indicating what country you live in. It isnt as simple as showing up at the POE & saying hello.

Okay, I'm sorry. I did not know how much info I should give,

I'm from Egypt, which brings me to the other issue of traveling to another country to issue the visa from there since the US embassy in Egypt has suspended visa services since the beginning of the revolution.

Visitor's visa then. Thank you guys so much!

[Harsh_77 718]

You shouldn't need a visa to do the 1 week of summer school. Many people travel to the U.S. on vacation and they do not need a visa.

Have all of your paperwork for the class/housing/etc. and documentation proving that you are coming back upon completion of the class.

You shouldn't need a visa to do the 1 week of summer school. Many people travel to the U.S. on vacation and they do not need a visa.Have all of your paperwork for the class/housing/etc. and documentation proving that you are coming back upon completion of the class.

This statement is not 100% accurate, yes you could be living in country for which VWP applies but its only if you are citizen of those countries.

Also you will have to let them know the purpose of your visit, best guess would be contact consulate in your home country and ask them what visa you should apply for and they can guide you much better.

To me you are not eligible for student as you would not have i-20, nor you qualify for B2 as you are not tourist, might be B1 would be a good choice and your training could be considered as training.

ooh now you are saying you from Egypt - sorry my friend tourist visa on some 7 days course - not happening.

You can still give a try.

[Hatem 0]

Why should being from Egypt affect the eligibility of applying for a tourist visa?

[Little_My 464]

OK. "You shouldn't need a visa" is a really bad statement to make. The only situations where a visitor to the US does not need a visa to enter is when they are Canadian or coming from VWP countries - and with VWP countries, we still need ESTA clearance and a permission to come. Egypt is not a VWP country (nor Canada..), so the OP does most definitely need a visa to come to the US, no matter how short the visit might be. What type of a visa would be the right option is another matter. Many people DO NOT travel to the US without a visa and it is not fine to do so. That would be illegal. As said, VWP is the only exception to the rule, and even with VWP we cannot just fly to JFK and show up at POE without no paperwork. VWP does waive the need for an actual visa, but we still need clearance first through ESTA and have to have that with us at POE. Visitors from any other countries besides the 36 VWP countries and Canada NEED TO ALWAYS ENTER WITH A VALID VISA. No exceptions.

You won't be issued the traditional student visas (F1 or J1) since it is only for one week. I would say your only option is a tourist visa. the B1/B2 is for "persons desiring to enter the United States temporarily for business (B-1) or for pleasure, tourism or medical treatment (B-2)". I think you fit that category just fine. And, information on Travel.state.gov also continues to stay..

If you are going to the U.S. primarily for tourism, but want to take a short course of study which is recreational (and not for credit towards a degree), and the course is less than 18 hours per week, this is permitted on a visitor visa. As an example, if you are taking a vacation to the U.S., and during this vacation you would like to take a two-day cooking class for your enjoyment, and there is no credit earned, then this would be permitted on a visitor visa.

So. As long as your plan is NOT to immigrate to the US, you are not getting credits towards a degree, and can show enough ties to your home country to convince whoever interviews you that you do plan to return to Egypt after your trip, you can enter with B1/B2 for your summer course.

Edited March 31, 2011 by Mrs.Finland-USA

[Ning 619]

Why should being from Egypt affect the eligibility of applying for a tourist visa?

Because of the volume of fraud that is generated. Also the current situation with the government.

You will not be issued a tourist visa unless you can meet the " strongest ties " rule. This means you first have to understand the fact that all people entering the USA with visas are considered intending immigrants. For this reason you must PROVE beyond a doubt that you will return. If you feel you can do that you could spend the time & money to apply. That is once thew embassy opens again. There is no known date for that to occure.

Egypt has a fantastic history except when it comes to immigration matters. In this area things get very difficult. You have to live with what others have done. Same for where I came from.

[Hatem 0]

Mrs.Finland-USA: Thank you very much for your post, very helpful.

Ning: This is kind of scary. I am a faculty member, and it will be a constant thing to travel to USA on short visits to attend conferences and symposiums. However, I can easily show the ties to my home country. Thank you for your reply.

[FormerlyKnownAs 17]

The Egyptian embassy is open now. Feel free to call them. They were doing interviews for visas earlier today, so it's back to business as usual there.

[Hatem 0]

The Egyptian embassy is open now. Feel free to call them. They were doing interviews for visas earlier today, so it's back to business as usual there.

I believe this is only for the American citizens and those who won the DV lottery. Nevertheless, I'll give it a try tomorrow. Thank you =)

[Ning 619]

Mrs.Finland-USA: Thank you very much for your post, very helpful.

Ning: This is kind of scary. I am a faculty member, and it will be a constant thing to travel to USA on short visits to attend conferences and symposiums. However, I can easily show the ties to my home country. Thank you for your reply.

It can be very tough to meet the strongest ties rule. You have a better than average chance because of your job & the connected need to enter. You will never know until you apply because each situation is different. Be prepared to present your case with the certianty of returning as clearly stated as possible.