US Consular Officer to Visitto Assist Persons Applying for Student Visas
The Portfolio of Internal and External Affairshas been advised by the US Embassy in Jamaica that an officerwill be visiting Grand Cayman on Thursday and Friday, 1st and2nd August to meet with students who are applying for US studentvisas.
A previous press release issued recentlyby the Portfolio informed students who were applying for a USstudent visa for the first time that they would have to visitthe US Embassy in Jamaica to be interviewed in person.
Students in this category would howeverbe able to acquire a visa the same day of the interview once alldocumentation was in order. Students applying for a renewal ofa US student visa have the option of sending their documents viacourier to the US Embassy in Jamaica which can take up to threeweeks before the process is completed.
While the visit of a US consular officerto the Cayman Islands was the preferred arrangement from the beginning,the Portfolio was initially informed that this would not be feasiblethis year. The Portfolio is now pleased that the US Embassy inJamaica has re-considered and the visit is now in place.
The Portfolio is aware that a number ofstudents have already traveled to Jamaica and were successfulin acquiring a visa. A few students were however not successfulfor whatever reason and this is now an opportune time for themto have their application further reviewed. It is expected thatonce all documentation is in order and accepted by the visitingofficer, he will take them back to the US Embassy with him andthey are expected to be returned to the Portfolio in approximatelyone week after the interview. Students who have not already traveledto Jamaica to apply for a student visa should contact the Portfolioon telephone 244-2403 or 244-2408 to request an appointment.
Students are reminded that the followingdocuments are necessary to allow an interview to be conducted:-
(i) a fully-completed application form [available at the PassportOffice];
(ii) a valid I-20 form supplied by the university, college ortechnical training facility where the study will occur. This originaldocument should specify the duration of study and the fees involved;
(iii) a passport valid for six months or longer; persons mustbe legally resident in the Cayman Islands;
(iv) a recent passport-size photograph [37mm x 37mm];
(v) a current Police Clearance Certificate [with no convictionlisted];
(vi) a draft for US$65.00 made payable to the Embassy of the UnitedStates of America and drawn on a bank with an affiliate bank inthe United States;
(vii) evidence of financial support from the person responsiblefor paying tuition fees, book fees, living expenses and othersupport funds [such as bank statements, parents' job letter showingearnings, affidavit of support, scholarship letter, etc]. Anyof these documents submitted must be an original. Financial supportingdocuments must show dollar value and provide proof that sufficientfunds are available to cover the full amount indicated on the1-20 form.
It is also recommended that school transcriptsbe available in the event that the officer requests to see these.
The Cayman Islands Government will chargea fee of $40.00 [for administrative and courier expenses] to eachstudent who wishes to meet with the officer.
It is also stressed that these appointmentsare for students only and does not extend to persons wishing toapply for a visitor's visa.