2005 Press Releases

Student and Work Permit Visa Processing

June 10, 2005

The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Port of Spain announces an important change to procedures regarding non-immigrant visa procedures for students, holders of work permits, and intra company transferees. Please note that these changes do not apply to legal permanent residents, or “green card” holders.

Effective Monday June 20, 2005, all applicants for student visas (visa categories F, M and J), work permit visas (visa category H1B), and intra company transfer visas (visa category L) will be processed on Monday through Thursday afternoons from 1:00 PM until 3:00 PM. All applicants for these categories of visas must submit electronic application forms. Electronic application forms can be accessed at https://evisaforms.state.gov/ds156.asp.

Applicants must fill the form out completely on line at this website and then print out the completed application form. Applicants must bring all printed pages of the application form, including the bar code on page 3, on the interview date. Do not send the application electronically.

Also, we would like to remind all student visa applicants enrolling in a new program after September 1, 2004 that the student SEVIS I-901 fee should be paid directly to the Department of Homeland Security prior to the date of the visa interview. For information regarding payment of this fee please see http://www.ice.gov/sevis, or contact your school’s international advisor.