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TOPIC: The New On-Line Visa Appointment Service
Discussion closes on Wednesday, 28 February 2007 (5:00 PM)
On March 5, 2007, the U.S. Embassy in Singapore will introduce an on-line visa appointment service. The on-line visa information service will continue to allow visa applicants to access accurate, up-to-the-minute information about U.S. visa matters from anywhere in the world, at any hour, and applicants will now enjoy the added ease of booking appointments for visa interviews on-line. The easy to use service is free of charge and can be accessed 24-hours a day. The Consul and the Visa Chief will answer questions about the appointment system and other visa issues, but will not address case-specific questions.
Suma 28 February 2007
Suggestion - There should be a official site from
US embassy of each country to update and keep the
right answers to the various Frequently Asked
Questions that the candidates would have raised
in the past. This FAQ's with the official answers
will be very useful for the candidates and also
reduces the work of answering repeated questions
even to the Embassy people. And these kind of
chats should be conducted regularly so that
candidates get valuable and reliable information
from the right people. Thank you so much.
Tracy Brown
That's a great suggestion and I'm happy to tell you that we have quite an extensive FAQ on our Embassy website. There are links to additional
country-specific information as well. Please take a look. http://singapore.usembassy.gov is your connection to the most recent visa application
and travel information.
I appreciate the interest you've shown and all the great questions from today's participants. I've really enjoyed this webchat and hope it can be
done on a regular basis.
Denise 28 February 2007
fromSingapore
Thanks for the information. I have another
question. My sponsor is an American citizen. So
will a letter and his bank statments suffice? Or
does he need to fill up an Affidavit Of Support,
I-864 as well?
Tracy Brown
You're welcome to submit an Affidavit of Support, but that is a lot of work and may not be necessary. Please remember that it is YOUR situation in
Singapore that the Officer is evaluating, not the financial status of your friends or family in the US.
33
from93185621711726520484156
Tracy Brown
There is no set time frame on the administrative processing. Some processing can take up to 4-6 weeks, while some is completed far sooner. This is
why we encourage everyone to apply at least 60 days ahead of their anticipated date of travel. Please allow yourself plenty of time in case
additional processing is required.
All applications are valid for one year from the date of receipt at the Embassy.
Ai Khian 28 February 2007
fromJurong
I'm Singapore PR anyway. Another question, I have
just started working for this company (less than
1 month) and they are require me to be going to
US for some project, do I have to wait for
certain amount of time before I'm eligible to
apply the visa?
Tracy Brown
There's no magic answer to this question. The interviewing officer will be looking at your over-all situation in Singapore, not simply your work
situation or your residency status. While you should bring an invitation letter from the US company providing the training as well as a letter from
your company concerning the training, you may also bring whatever you think will support your application and prove you will be returning to
Singapore following your business in the US.
Ryan 28 February 2007
fromSingapore
I'm entering the US with a five-year multiple
entry B1/ B2 visa. I've used it once in 2005. Do
I still need to bring any supporting documents to
show when I get there? I'm going for leisure and
also to attend a scientific conference. Thanks
Tracy Brown
It is normally not required for you to bring additional documentation with you. However, you must be able to clearly explain to the DHS Officer at
the Port of Entry why you are coming to the US, how long you intend to stay, and what you will be doing. Some people find it helpful to bring
conference registrations, etc., to support the information they are providing verbally.
MR LEE 28 February 2007
fromSINGAPORE
HI,
GOOD DAY TO YOU.
WHAT IS THE CONTACT NUMBER TO CALL IF I WANT TO
CHECK WHETHER MY VISA IS APPROVED?
THANK YOU
Tracy Brown
If your application for a visa is approved at the time of your interview, the Officer you speak with will tell you and will advise you when you can
pick up your visa. If there is additional processing required, the Embassy will notify you by email or by phone, whichever you prefer, to let you
know the processing has been completed. We will then give you further instructions on the final steps to obtain your visa.
Natalia 28 February 2007
fromSingapore
Hello, I'd like to know if there's any way to
verify that my I-94 form has been correctly
submitted at the time I left the US. I'm now back
in Singapore. Thank you.
Tracy Brown
I am not certain of the answer to your question, but I know others who have directly contacted the Department of Homeland Security, which is
responsible for administering this program. There is a link on their websites (www.ice.gov or www.dhs.gov) to contact them with questions.
CHAN BROTHERS 28 February 2007
fromSINGAPORE
HI,
MY CLIENT WHO IS A PR IN SINGAPORE AND HAS
ALREADY OBTAINED HIS H VISA. HIS FAMILY WHO ARE
ALSO PR IN SINGAPORE ARE JOINING HIM IN THE USA.
CAN THE FAMILY APPLY H4 VISA AT THE EMBASSY?
THANK YOU AND BEST REGARDS.
Tracy Brown
Anyone who is resident, and physically present, in Singapore may apply for a non-immigrant visa at the Embassy here in Singapore.
Shawn 28 February 2007
fromSingapore
I am a US citizen. In 2001, I applied for my
parents (who are Iranian citizens) to become US
PRs. My mother's application was approved and
processed. My father's application was approved
but seemed to have gotten lost in the system as
he was not called in for his appointment. The
application and approval came from the US
consulate in Naples, Italy. I am not able to get
through to anybody in Naples to enquire about the
status. I'd like to get this case back on track.
What's the best way to proceed given that I am
not getting any replies from the consulate in
Naples? Can the case be transfered to Singapore
(I'm on assignment in Singapore for the time
being). Thank you!
Tracy Brown
Unfortunately, we cannot address case-specific questions. I would encourage you to email the Consular Section in Naples if you have been unable to
contact someone by telephone. Also, there may be a link on their website which could be used to inquire as to the status of your case.
Monica 28 February 2007
fromSingapore
I have already filled in the form and made the
appointment to apply for a tourist visa. I hold a
dependant pass, my husband is working here in
Singapore. I do not work. Which documents will I
need to take to the appointment?
Tracy Brown
Details on which documents are required are contained on our website, but, in general, you should document your husband's employment in Singapore,
as well as your financial situation. We will also be interested in learning about your status in Singapore.
Denise 28 February 2007
fromSingapore
I would like to apply for a B-2 visa. If i have a
sponsor who's covering part of my expenses while
in the US, do i need to submit any application
forms or documents when i have my interview?
Tracy Brown
The most important thing to remember is that the interview is conducted to make sure you have strong ties to Singapore and clear intent to return to
Singapore. "Ties" are those things that demonstrate you have firmly established your life here in Singapore, such as family, social, professional,
or financial ties to Singapore. If you have a financial sponsor who is assisting in the costs of your trip, you should bring a letter from them
stating their support, as well as documentation of their financial situation.
Ashok 28 February 2007
fromAustralia
Do the people who already applied for visa and got
a 221(g) administration processing required also
have to apply for appointment in the new website
or the 221(g) document given earlier by the
Embassy is enough for the re-entry into Embassy
to re-appear for the petition evaluation ?
Tracy Brown
Applicants who have already interviewed and received the 221(g) letter do not need to make an appointment in order to return to the Embassy. When
the Embassy notifies you that the administrative processing has been completed, the letter you received will allow you access to the Embassy to
complete the application process.
Ai Khian 28 February 2007
fromJurong
Hi,
Other than what is listed below, what else I should bring or do
to apply for the visa? I got this from my female
friend who just got her visa approved. Is there
any different between male and female
applications?
Apply for the visa online & print it out before going to
the embassy with the items below:
(gotta be there b4 10am for the interview)
1. white background photo,
2. a company letter
3. passport
4. cashier voucher to us embassy 160
Tracy Brown
It sounds like you have done your homework! There is one difference between applications for males and females: an additional form is required from
male applicants between the ages of 16 and 45. This form is the DS-157 and there is a link to this form on our website. You may also
consider bringing in financial information, such as bank statements or tax returns. The interviewing officer will be looking to determine your ties
to Singapore. Anything you have that will document your life here will enhance your application.
Jacques Gimeno 28 February 2007
fromSingapore
Hello! I have been trying to change my interview
appointment online but your website displayed an
error message saying that there was no such
appointment made. This, after I provided the
correct information asked of me. What else can I
do to change my appointment? Thanks
Tracy Brown
It may have appeared that you had scheduled your appointment, but we have learned that if the appointment confirmation sheet is not printed as
instructed the appointment is not completed and does not register on the web-based system. It may be necessary for you to simply use the barcode
you have and schedule an appointment at the desired time.
Jyoti 28 February 2007
fromSingapore
At what stage in the non immigrant visa
application process is a personal interview
required?
Tracy Brown
The first step in the application process is to complete the EVAF on-line and print it out. Step two is to schedule your appointment through a link
on the US Embassy website (http://singapore.usembassy.gov). The EVAF must be printed first so that you have the barcode which prints in the lower
right hand corner of page one of the application. Step three is to gather all necessary supporting documentation (information on this is also
contained on our website.) Step four is to appear on time for your scheduled interview. Be sure to print out your confirmation letter when you
schedule the appointment and follow carefully the instructions on that sheet regarding your personal appearance at the US Embassy.
MR LEE YONG SOON 28 February 2007
I DO NOT HAVE A COMPUER AT HOME. CAN I SUMIT MY
MANUAL HAND WRITTEN DS-156 FORM ?
Tracy Brown
New global regulations require all DS-156 -- also known as the Electronic Visa Application Forms or EVAFs -- to be computer generated. They must be
completed on line and printed out to be brought to the Embassy at the time of the interview. In the lower right hand corner of the first page of
the EVAF, a barcode prints out. That barcode is required to schedule your interview. If you do not have a computer at home, you can use a friend's
computer or one at an internet cafe. Alternatively, you can submit the application through a travel agent. Further information on travel agencies
who can assist with this is available on the Embassy web site at http://singapore.usembassy.gov.
Vatsala 28 February 2007
fromSingap
My daughter will be pursuing her higher education
in the U.S. later this year. She is waiting for
her I-20 form so she can apply for her student
visa. But she wants to visit the University
campus in the next month or so. If she applies
for a tourist visa now, will she have problems
getting a student visa later?
Tracy Brown
Students often have to visit their University in the U.S. prior to their actual admission date. To accommodate this, the tourist visa issued for the
visit to the University is annotated and does not adversely impact their later application for a student visa. If your daughter is a Singapore
citizen, and meets the parameters of the Visa Waiver Program, she will not need to apply for a visa to visit the University.
Vijaya 28 February 2007
fromSingapore
My son has been accepted at a U.S. University for
the Fall 2007 intake. He is required to
enroll/register at the University by by
mid-August. When should he begin the application
process for a student visa? His nationality is
Indian; he was born and schooled in Singapore.
My husband & I are Singapore Permanent Residents.
Tracy Brown
That's a very good question. We encourage all visa applicants to apply at least 60 days in advance of their estimated travel date. Because your
son is expected to arrive at the University in mid-August, it would be best for him to schedule an appointment for early June. Appointment slots
are currently available on the website through June 8th.
Monica 28 February 2007
fromSingapore
I have already an appointment to get my tourist
visa. For how long will the visa service keep my
passport?
Tracy Brown
At the time of your visa interview, the Officer will tell you if your visa is approved. If it is approved, we require two business days to print
the visa. For example, if your visa is approved on Monday, it will be ready for pick up on Wednesday afternoon.
US Embassy 27 February 2007
fromSingapore
Visa Chief Tracy Brown will provide answers to all
of your questions.
US Embassy - Singapore 27 February 2007
fromSingapore
Join us on Wednesday, February 28th, from 4:00 to
5:00 p.m. for a LIVE web chat on the new online
Visa Appointment Services!
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