SCI: Programs and Services

Visa Resources Page

Welcome to the NEW Visa Resources Department of Sister Cities International! This new department has been created to give our members up-to-date information for successfully applying for visas to the US, along with resources to make the visa application process less of a headache.

As an organization Sister Cities International is unable to process visas directly through the US Department of State. However, there are several resources outlined below that can help answer questions and properly prepare inbound and outbound travelers as they work through attaining passports and visas. For more information from the US Department of State on country requirements and news updates, you can check their website at http://travel.state.gov/.

Recent Legislation and Visa News

New! UK Visa Toolkit: For members traveling to the 2009 Sister Cities International Annual Conference in Belfast, Northern Ireland, this is an overview of the visa requirements for foreign nationals. Please click here for more information on the procedures for applying for a UK visa. Important Note: US and EU citizens are not required to have a visa when traveling to the UK for a duration of less than 90 days.
October 27, 2008: The SEVIS fee for F-1 and F-3 visa applications will increase to $200. It will increase to $180 for J-1 visa applications.
October 17, 2008: President Bush announced the imminent expansion of the Visa Waiver Program to include the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, the Republic of Korea and the Slovak Republic. However, the United States must still complete certain internal steps required by statute before it can complete VWP expansion. Nationals of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, the Republic of Korea and the Slovak Republic continue to require visas to travel to the United States during that period. Nationals of these countries are expected to be able to travel without obtaining a visa for tourist and business travel of 90 days or less beginning in mid- November. For more information visit the Visa Waiver Program page on the State Department’s website. More updates on the status of this expansion coming soon!
DS-160 (NEW): Coming Soon. The new DS-160, Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application, will eventually replace current nonimmigrant application forms DS-156, 157, 158, and other related forms. However, the roll-out of the new DS-160 will be gradual. Not all U.S. Embassies and Consulates will be required to use the form at the same time. Consular Officers will use the information entered on the DS-160 to process the visa application and, combined with a personal interview, will determine an applicant's eligibility for a nonimmigrant visa. Check http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/forms/forms_4230.html for more information on the future DS-160 Form.

Online Visa Toolkit

Now available online is an in-depth outline of the visa application process for a range of different visas, along with tips for having a successful consular interview, links to embassies and Department of State visa resources, and forms you will need to complete in order to apply for a US visa. The Online Visa Toolkit includes the following documents:

Visa Types for Inbound Travelers
Important Links and Resources for Inbound and Outbound Travelers
Inbound Visa Toolkit
Outbound Visa and Passport Toolkit
Important Forms for Visa Applications
Frequently Asked Questions

High School Homestay USA

Sister Cities International has partnered with American Cultural Exchange Service, a J-1 sponsoring organization, to help international students in the Sister Cities network get their J-1 visa for one year or semester of study in a US public high school. Anyone in the Sister Cities network can apply for this program. More information can be found in the Youth and Education Department webpage.

American Immigration Law Foundation (AILF)

This new networking partnership between Sister Cities International and AILF gives members access to immigration lawyers across the country and opportunities for educational conference calls and staff expertise to help make the visa process more manageable. More information about AILF can be found on their website at www.ailf.org.

Letters of Invitation

For programs organized by the DC Office, Sister Cities International can write letters of invitation for inbound visitors to help with the application process. This includes the biannual leadership meetings and the Annual Conference. For programs run by local sister city associations, letters of invitation must be written by the local officials responsible for the event. Sister Cities International can write letters of support for the exchange but a local letter will also be necessary and more effective. An Invitation Letter Template can be found in the Important Forms Section of the Online Visa Toolkit to be used as a guide for writing letters of invitation for international visitors.

Sister Cities International Staff Resources

If you have any questions or cannot find information on a particular aspect of the visa application process, please do not hesitate to contact:

Jennelle Root
202-347-8630 x 4003
jroot@sister-cities.org