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VISA SERVICES

What is the difference between an immigrant and a non-immigrant visa?

NON-IMMIGRANT VISAS:

A non-immigrant visa permits an individual to enter and remain in the United States for a temporary visit and to take part in the activities allowed under the particular visa classification issued.

Under immigration law it is assumed that all visa applicants are intending immigrants until they have demonstrated to a consular official at the time of visa application that they are not an intending immigrant and that they intend to return to their country after completing the purpose of their travel.

IMMIGRANT VISAS:

An immigrant visa gives an individual the right to residency in the United States.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  1. What is a non-immigrant visa?

    1. Validity of a non-immigrant visa and period of stay in the United States

  2. What do I need to do to apply for a visa?

    1. Do I have to apply in person?
    2. How much time does it take to process a visa?

  3. What do I present to apply for a visa?

  4. What type of visa do I need?

    1. Temporary Visitor for Business or Tourism (B1/B2)
    2. Medical Cases
    3. Transit Visas (C class)
    4. Crew Member (Ship or Airplane - C1/D)
    5. Student/Spouse or Child of Student (F1/F2)
    6. Exchange Visitor/Spouse or Child of Exchange Visitor (J1/J2)
    7. Special Work Visas (H class)

  5. Frequently Asked Questions

    1. I have a valid visa, but it is in my expired passport. May I still travel with the visa?
    2. How do I transfer or renew my B1/B2 visa?
    3. For how long must my passport be valid to receive a visa?
    4. What effect does my association with a citizen of the United States have on my application for a visa?
    5. My application for a visa was denied. How long do I have to wait to apply again for a visa?
    6. My visa application was denied. Is the $100.00 interview fee refunded?
    7. I lost my passport with my valid U.S visa. What do I need to present to have my visa replaced?
    8. I am a foreign national in Nicaragua without legal residency. Can I apply for a visa to the U.S here?
    9. How can I contact the Consular Section?

  6. Links to Related Sites

IMMIGRANT VISAS

An immigrant visa gives an individual the right to reside in the United States

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NON-IMMIGRANT VISAS

1. What is a non-immigrant visa?

A non-immigrant visa is issued in order that an alien may enter the U.S. for a temporary period of time. The alien may remain in the U.S. for the period of time determined by INS at the port of entry and may engage only in activities allowed for the assigned visa category.

According to U.S. Immigration and Naturalization laws and statutes, every applicant is presumed to be an intending immigrant until he/she establishes to the full satisfaction of the consular officer, at the time of interview and to the immigration officer at the time of application for admission at any port of entry, that he/she is entitled to non-immigrant status and intends to return to his/her own country after a temporary stay in the U.S.

1.1 Validity of a non-immigrant visa and period of stay in the United States:

A visa is used to apply for entry to the United States. The validity of a visa represents the time period during which the holder may apply for admission to the U.S. At the port-of-entry, an Immigration & Naturalization Service (INS) official will determine whether or not an alien is admitted to the United States.

The period of visa validity has no relation to the period of time the immigration authorities at a port of entry may authorize the alien to stay in the United States. When the holder of a visa applies for admission to the United States at a port of entry, an immigration official will issue an I-94 form that will indicate the length of time the holder of the visa is allowed to remain in the U.S.

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2. What do I need to do to apply for a visa?

Pay the USD 100 application fee at any branch of BANCENTRO; at time of payment the bank will schedule an appointment for each applicant. The bank receipt will show the date and time to apply for the visa. (Note; if you fail to arrive the day of the scheduled interview, you may return any day after the appointment day except Thursday or holidays, the bank slip is valid for 6 months).

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2.1 Do I have to apply in person?

Every alien seeking a non-immigrant visa is required to apply in person before a Consular officer in the consular district in which the applicant resides and to which they have their economic, family and professional ties. Minors between the ages of 2 to 18 yrs. old should be accompanied by their parents and present an original birth certificate at the time of the interview.


The consular officer may waive the requirement of personal appearance for:

  1. A child under 2 year of age;
  2. An applicant for a diplomatic or official visa.

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2.2 How much time does it take to process a visa?

In the majority of cases, visas that have been approved are issued the same day. In some special cases, more administrative time is needed. Once the visa is approved, it will be printed in the applicant's passport and returned via Correos de Nicaragua, a local courier service. The fee for the mandatory use of the courier service is US$5.00. Once the visa has been issued, general delivery time takes from 24 to 48 hours. The US$5.00 fee is paid upon collection of the passport from the designated Correos de Nicaragua branch. It is recommended that individuals apply at least a week before the intended date of travel.

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3. What do I present to apply for a visa?

The applicant must present:

  1. A completed copy of the Non-Immigrant Visa Application form (DS-156).
     

  2. All male applicants between the ages of 16 to 45 years old, must also fill-out the Supplementary Form DS-157 (available at the Consular Section, free of charge).
     

  3. A recent photo size 2”x2”(taken within last 6 months) on a white background.
     

  4. A full face photo is one in which the applicant is facing the camera directly. hats, eyeglasses, and other paraphernalia covering the face must be removed.
     

  5. A valid passport.
     

  6. The bank receipt.

General requirement for non-immigrant visas:

The burden of proof is on the applicant to establish qualification for non-immigrant status and the type of non-immigrant visa for which the application is made. U.S consular officers base issuance or denial of visas on the requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, as amended. To obtain a visitors visa, applicants must demonstrate they have a residence abroad, sufficient financial resources to undertake the trip, and family and professional ties to their home country to establish that they will depart the U.S after completion of the trip.

Consular officers may require the submission of additional information or question an applicant on any relevant matters regarding their economic, family and/or social position in their native country if the information provided on the Non-immigrant Visa Application Form (Form DS-156) is not sufficient to determine the applicant's eligibility to receive a non-immigrant visa.

Additional original documents that could be requested during an interview as evidence of an applicants' ties to Nicaragua include, but are not limited to, work letters with listed salary, pay stubs, birth certificates, marriage certificates, passports of other members of the family with visas, bank statements, credit cards, property titles, business licence, school records and registrations. A list of Recommended Documents to Bring to Your Visa Interview can be obtained at the Consulate entrance.

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4. What type of visa do I need?

The purpose of entry into the U.S. determines the classification of the visa that is issued. The following is a list with the most commonly sought Non-immigrant Visas and an explanation for each.

4.1. Temporary Visitor for Business or Tourism

A temporary visitor for business or tourism is any alien who:

  1. Has a residence in a foreign country which they do not intend to abandon;
     

  2. Seeks admission for the sole purpose of engaging in legitimate activities related to business or pleasure;
     

  3. Intends to enter the United States for a period of specifically limited duration; and
     

  4. Has an adequate financial arrangement to enable him/her to carry out the purpose of the visit or and departure from the U.S.

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4.2. Medical Cases

To apply for a visa for medical treatment in the United States, the following guidelines are suggested:

  1. Information on the approximate costs of the treatment.
     
  2. Show proof on how those costs will be covered
     
  3. In the case of an individual sponsor, we would need to see evidence of sufficient financial resources to meet the sometimes substantial costs of medical treatment and/or surgery in the U.S.
     
  4. Affidavits from the hospital/organization that will cover the expenses beyond those borne by the individual sponsors
     
  5. An epicrisis from the Doctor that has been treating the patient (in Nicaragua)
     
  6. A signed letter from the Hospital explaining the treatment required, the amount of time the patient is expected to be treated and recovery time, and how much the treatment is estimated will cost.
     
  7. A signed letter from the Specialist that will be treating the patient explaining the medical procedure and the estimated length of treatment
     
  8. Evidence of the applicant’s economic and family ties to Nicaragua that demonstrate that the applicant intends to return to Nicaragua after being treated in the U.S.

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4.3. Transit Visas (C class)

An alien in Transit is any alien who:

  • Intends to pass in immediate and continuous transit through the United States;
     

  • Is in possession of a common carrier ticket or other evidence of transportation arrangements to the alien's destination;
     

  • Is in possession of sufficient funds to carry out the purpose of the transit journey, or has sufficient funds otherwise available for that purpose; and
     

  • Has permission to enter some country other than the U.S. following the transit through the U.S., unless the alien submits satisfactory evidence that such advance permission is not required.

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4.4. Crew Member (Ship or Airplane. C1/D)

A crewmember (Sea or Air) is any alien who is employed on board a vessel or aircraft of company and is employed in a capacity required for normal operation and service as a regular member of the crew.
 

For C1/D visas applicants should bring an original copy of their current employment contract letter from the company they work for and any current or expired visas from the last five years.
 

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4.5. Student / Spouse or Child of Student (F1/F2)

When applying for a student visa the applicant must present:

  1. An original I-20 form from the U.S. School properly completed and signed by the applicant.
     

  2. Fill out forms DS-156(non immigrant visa application ), DS-158 (Contact Information & Work History)
     

  3. All male applicants between the ages of 16 to 45 years old, must also fill-out the Supplementary Form DS-157 (form is available at the Consular Section, free of charge)
     

  4. One photo size 2”x2” on a white background.
     

  5. A valid passport
     

  6. The bank receipt of payment of the US$100.00 fee
     

  7. Present evidence of having sufficient financial resources to cover expenses while in the United States or information to satisfy the consular officer that other arrangements have been made to meet those expenses.
     

  8. Evidence that they intend, and will be able, to depart upon completion of studies.

The alien spouse and minor children of an alien who has been or will be issued a student visa may receive an F2 visa if the consular officer is satisfied:

  1. They will be accompanying or following to join the principal alien;
     

  2. That sufficient funds are available to cover their expenses during their stay in the United States;
     

  3. Present evidence of their ties to Nicaragua that will prove that they intend to leave the United States upon the termination of the status of the principal alien.

F2 visa applicants should also present original copies of marriage and birth certificates plus an original I-20 form if following to join the F1 visa holder.

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4.6. Exchange Visitor / Spouse or Child of Exchange Visitor (J-1/J-2)

An alien is classifiable as an exchange visitor (J-1) if the consular officer is satisfied the alien:

  1. Fill out forms DS-156, DS-157 (for men between 16-45 years old) and DS-158 (all available at the consular section).
     

  2. Has been accepted to participate, and intends to participate, in an exchange visitor program designated by the United States Information Agency as evidenced by the presentation of a properly executed DS-2019 (Former IAP-66) (Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor);
     

  3. Has sufficient funds to cover expenses or has made other arrangements to provide for those expenses
     

  4. Has sufficient knowledge of the English language to undertake the program for which selected, or the sponsoring organization is aware of the language limitation and has nevertheless indicated willingness to accept the alien.

The spouse or minor child of an alien classified J-1 is classifiable as J-2.

Please note that the Name and Date-of-Birth on the Form DS-2019 must exactly match the Name and Date-of-Birth as it appears in the passport.

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4.7. Special Work Visas (H-1, L-1, O-1, P & Q)

A Special Work Visa is the end result of a petition to be filed with INS by the prospective employer. To be considered for a Special Worker Visa, an applicant must present the consular officer with a form I-797A Notice of Approval or the Consulate must be in receipt of an approved Form I-129 notification from the Immigration and Naturalization Service in the United States. It should be noted that an approved petition does not guarantee that an applicant will receive a visa if they do not otherwise qualify. Applicants for these type of work visas should bring additional documentation to demonstrate that they are qualified for the work which s/he will be performing.

As there are certain countries from which travelers do not qualify for immediate transit without visa under U.S. immigration laws, it is recommended that before traveling, individuals consult with the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Managua or directly with the airline. Nicaraguan citizens are eligible to use the transit without visa (TWOV) system.

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5. Persons in Immediate transit without visa (TWOV)

Nicaraguans and third countries nationals (excepts visa waiver nationals) are not eligible to transit without visa.
 

6. Frequently Asked Questions:

6.1. I have a valid visa, but it is in my expired passport. May I still travel with the visa?

You may travel with both passports.

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6.2. How do I transfer or renew my B1/B2 visa?

To apply for a visa, visa renewal or visa transfer to new passport:

  1. Applicants must FULLY complete and sign the visa application form DS-156 and DS-157 supplemental nonimmigrant visa application (for men between 16 and 45 years old only).
     

  2. Attach one recent photo size 2”x2” and white background taken within the last six months.
     

  3. Applicant must pay USD 100.00 (one hundred dollars) of application fee at any branch of BANCENTRO; the bank receipt will show you the date and time to apply for the visa. Upon arrival at the Consulate submit visa application, receipt, photo, prior visa in passport, and valid current passport.
     

  4. It is strongly recommended that an applicant bring all his/her passports since the last visa issuance.

DROP BOX SYSTEM IS NOT LONGER AVAILABLE FOR APPLICANTS.

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6.3. For how long must my passport be valid to receive a visa?

Passports must be valid on the date of application.

6.4. What effect does my association with a citizen of the United States have on my application for a visa?

An individual can be invited by a citizen of the United States. However, every applicant must qualify for the visa on their own individual merits. Letters of support by an organization or individual may be submitted, however, the applicant himself (or herself) must overcome the presumption of immigrant intent.

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6.5. My application for a visa was denied. How long do I have to wait to apply again for a visa?

Individuals that are denied a visa can reapply anytime, provided they pay the US$100.00 and present themselves on the day and time of the interview appointment reflected on the bank slip. In other words, there is no “waiting period” for applicant to reapply.

6.6. My application was denied. Is the US$100.00 interview fee refunded?

No, is not refundable. The fee covers the administrative costs of providing services to the public.

6.7. I lost my passport with my valid U.S. visa. What do I need to present to have my visa replaced?

Persons that have lost their passport with a valid visa have to present themselves for a personal interview to have the visa replaced. They should bring the following documents:

  1. A copy of the police report explaining the loss or theft of the passport.
     
  2. A "Movimiento Migratorio", is a document issued by the Nicaraguan immigration authorities.
     
  3. A letter explaining the situation.
     
  4. A photocopy of the visa if available.
     
  5. All the requirements indicated on "What do I need to do to apply for a visa".

6.8. I am a foreigner living in Nicaragua without legal residency. Can I apply for a visa to the United States here?

Individuals who are not residents of Nicaragua should apply for a visa to the United States in their country of residency due to the difficulty in demonstrating their ties to their home country when outside of that country.

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6.9. How can I contact the Consular Section?

From the United States:
Mailing address:
American Embassy
Unit 2710, Box 10
APO AA 34021
Tel: 011 (505) 268-0123
Fax: 011- (505)-266-9943

within Nicaragua:
P.O. address:
Apdo. Postal 327
Managua, Nicaragua

Physical address:
Kilometro 4 1/2 Carretera Sur
Managua, Nicaragua
E-Mail: Consularsect@amemb.org.ni

Visa information: http://www.usembassy.state.gov/managua

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[Privacy Statement]

Our contact address is: EmbassyInfo@state.gov
For specific consular questions, please address them directly to: ConsularManagua@state.gov