This document provides information about nonimmigrant visa categories for temporary visits to the United States, including categories for tourism, business, studying, work, and more. It outlines the application process for student visas and details what to expect after applying, including preparing for an interview and receiving a decision. The document provides links for additional visa information and requirements.

2. Ealeen Scheyder Gordo Sanchez

3. Visa Categories
Nonimmigrant visas allow for temporary stays in the United States.
Listed below are the general categories of nonimmigrant visas you
can apply for at the U.S. Embassy in Bogota.
For detailed information on all types of visas and temporary travel,
please visit the U.S. State Department’s website regarding travel
for temporary visitors to the U.S.

4. • Tourism and Business (B1/B2)
• Studying in the U.S. (F & M)
• Exchange Programs – Au Pairs, Summer
Work Travel, Bilingual Teachers, etc. (J)
• Temporary Workers (H, L, O, P)
• Religious Workers (R)
• Domestic Employees (B1, A-3, G-5)
• Members of a Commercial Ship or Flight
Crew (C1,D)
• Traders and Investors (E1, E2)
• Press & Media (I)
• Diplomats and Officials (A, G, C-3)
• Human Trafficking and victims of Crime
(S,T,&U)

6. In March 2011, President Barack Obama launched
"100,000 Strong in the Americas," an initiative to
increase international study in the Western Hemisphere.
The purpose of 100,000 Strong is to foster region-wide
prosperity through greater international exchange of
qualified students, who are our future leaders and
innovators.
Applicants who wish to study in the United States should
apply for an F or M visa. An applicant who wants to study
in an academic program, such as at a university or
intensive English language institute, must apply for an F
visa. An applicant who wants to study in a vocational or
nonacademic program, such as a culinary institute or
flight training, must apply for an M visa.

7. If you are a student, the U.S. Embassy will make
every effort to ensure that you get an
appointment and, if qualified, a visa in time to
start classes. Appointments for students and
Exchange Program participants are generally
available within three business days.
A complete overview of student visas can be
found on the following websites:
• Travel.state.gov – Student Visas (in English)
• Education USA (in English and Spanish)
• ICE – Student and Exchange Visitor Program
• Study in the USA

9. Once you have applied for and have been accepted into a
certified school in the U.S, then you may apply for a
student visa, following the instructions on the How to
Apply for a Visa page. Please apply as early as possible to
provide ample time for visa processing. The Immigration
and Nationality Act is very specific about the
requirements which must be met to qualify for a student
visa. An applicant must demonstrate the following:
• Acceptance at a school
• Possession of sufficient funds to pursue the proposed
course of study
• Preparation for the course of study
• Intention to leave the United States upon completion
of the course of study
• Unless coming to participate exclusively in an English
language program, sufficient knowledge of the English
language to undertake the course of study

11. The required documents for this type of
application are the following:
• A valid passport
• The confirmation page from the DS-
160 Application form
• A photograph (for requirements see
TIPS for the DS-160 )
• Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for
Student Status
• SEVIS Fee Receipt

12. • Visa Validity
Student visas for Colombian citizens are issued
for up to five years, depending on the duration of
the program.
• Family Members
Spouses and children under the age of 21, can
apply for and receive derivative F-2 or M-2 visas
to accompany or followtojoin the principal
applicant in the United States. Derivatives receive
the same visa validity as the principal applicant.

13. • Employment as a student
Students on F visas may be able to work during their
studies under certain conditions with permission from
the Department of Homeland Security. Students on
either F or M visas may work after their studies
under three different practical training programs
(curricular, option, or STEM – Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Mathematics). When authorized,
practical training is temporary employment directly
related to the student’s area of study. To learn more,
please refer to the ICE Student and Exchange Visitor
Program.
• Tourism
If you are planning to travel to the United States
primarily for tourism but want to take a short course
of study that is recreational, and the course is less
than 18 hours per week, you may be able to do so on a
B-1/B-2 visa. However, if your primary purpose of
travel is to study, you will need a student visa.

15. The personal interview with a consular officer and
the information that the applicant provides in writing
on the online DS 160 application form are critical
elements of the visa process. As a result of the large
number of people applying for visas each day, the
interviews are often short.
It is essential that the visa applicant be able to
describe a clear, coherent travel plan and provide
accurate answers to all written and oral questions.
Inconsistent, inaccurate or unrealistic answers make
it difficult for the consular officer to conclude that
the proposed trip is temporary in nature, or that the
applicant is otherwise qualified for a visa.

16. For information on what to bring to your interview, see our list
of Required Documents.
Please be aware of the following when you come to your
appointment:
Arrival at the Embassy
Please arrive at the Embassy at the time of your scheduled
appointment and no sooner. Applicants who arrive late will not be
admitted and will have to contact the CSC Visa Information
Center to request a new interview date.

17. Security
We do not permit third parties to attend nonimmigrant visa
interviews. This rule also applies to third parties who are U.S.
Citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents. Only the visa
applicant will be admitted, unless the applicant is a minor or
senior citizen. Minors may only be accompanied by a parent or
legal guardian. On a case-by-case basis, the Embassy will allow
visa applicants with disabilities or other special needs to be
accompanied. You will be screened by security personnel
before entry. Certain items are not permitted inside the Visa
Waiting Area.
Interview Procedures
On the day of your interview, you will pass through 3 stations:
Application Processing (where your application and required
documents will be reviewed)
Verification of fingerprints
The Interview with the Consular Officer

19. We suggest that all applicants apply well in
advance of planned travel to ensure there is
enough time for visa processing. Please do
not purchase nonrefundable airplane tickets
until you have your visa.

20. If your visa application is approved…
You will receive an email with additional information in
the next few weeks. Your passport will be delivered
to the DHL location you selected when you made your
appointment through the CSC Visa Information
Service. Please bring your official identification and
DHL Waybill number in order to pick it up.
In the event there is an emergency or other
compelling reason that you must travel immediately,
you may ask the consular officer during your
interview to expedite the delivery process.
Note: Passports (with visa) must be claimed from DHL
within 30 days of delivery.

21. If your visa application is still pending…
If your case was refused under a “221
(g)” of the Immigration and Nationality
Act for more information, administrative
processing, or a decision on a waiver of
an ineligibility, it could take significantly
more time for you to receive your
passport and visa – on average 90
additional business days. You may check
the status of your application online by
following the instructions on the Visa
Application Status page. No further
information is necessary unless you are
contacted by an Embassy representative.

22. If your visa application is
refused…
If your visa was refused, you will
receive your passport back on the
day of the interview with a written
explanation of the reason for
refusal. For more information on
reasons for refusal, see
our Refusals page.

23. Traveling to the U.S.
A U.S. nonimmigrant visa gives you permission to travel to the
United States, but does not guarantee your entrance nor
determine the length of time you will be allowed to stay. When
you arrive to the U.S., an immigration officer from U.S. Customs
and Border Protection of the Department of Homeland Security
makes the decision as to whether or not to admit you into the
United States and how long you may stay.
The officer will review your passport, visa and capture your
photo and fingerprints. If you are approved for entry, you will
be directed to the baggage and customs inspection areas to
collect your luggage.

24. In most cases, CBP will no longer process the paper form
upon arrival. Instead, travelers will be provided with a CBP
admission stamp in their travel document. If you have
further questions regarding this new system, please consult
the Department of Homeland Security
website: www.cbp.gov/I94.
For information on destinations in the U.S., please
visit Discover America.

25. • http://spanish.bogota.usembassy.gov/visas_de_no_i
nmigrante-/despus-de-la-entrevista.html
• http://bogota.usembassy.gov/nonimmigrant_visas/
after-the-interview.html