WEBCHAT WITH CONSUL GENERAL DAN KELLER

July 11, 2008
US Embassy, Madrid

US Embassy organized a webchat with Consul General, Daniel Keller, on Program for U.S.-Bound Travelers From Visa Waiver Countries. Deadline to send questions was July 1. Here are the Q/A.

Question: Alexandre Gomes Leao

Hello friends from US Embassy.

I'm Alejandro from La Coruña city. My question is, if I'm inside America like tourist and I decide to stay as English student, can I change my immigration status for student visa or do I have to leave the country and come back to Spain to get a student visa?

Thanks a lot.

Alejandro


Answer: Consular General Dan Keller

Thanks for asking Alexandro, this question comes up often and is very important to address. Being able to enter the U.S. without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program for tourism or short business trips is extremely convenient for Spanish passport holders, but one of the restrictions that goes with it is the inability to extend or change the purpose of your visit once you arrive in the U.S.. So you have two choices – one is to enter the U.S. without a visa, apply to a school and have them generate the necessary forms for a student visa, then return to Spain, apply for your student visa here in Madrid, and reenter the U.S. as a student. Alternatively, you can make an appointment with the Embassy in Madrid to apply for a visa for business or pleasure (B1/2) as a prospective student, and if approved, enter the U.S. on that visa with the ability to change to a student visa later on by applying to the Department of Homeland Security without leaving the U.S.. When you apply for the prospective student visa, you must let the consul know of your intentions. I hope that clarifies things for you a bit, but you can find more information on what you can or can’t do under the Visa Waiver Program here: http://madrid.usembassy.gov/cons/nonimmigvwpimportant.html

Also, please note that there are important changes to the Visa Waiver Program in the works and we encourage anyone who is even considering travel to the U.S. under this program to find out more about the new Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) which will require all Visa Waiver travelers to register online before flying to the U.S.. All of the details are available by following the ESTA links on our Embassy Homepage http://madrid.usembassy.gov

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Question: Dulcinea Urbáez

Señor Cónsul General Daniel Keller,
mi pregunta es la siguiente: para el proximo mes de octubre mi pareja y yo pensamos ir de vacaciones durante 15 dias a Puerto Rico, con la intención de llevar a mi hijo a ver a sus parientes paternos que residen allí (mi hijo es huérfano de padre), el año pasado intentamos sacarle el visado, ya que él aún depende economicamente de nosotros y se la negaron. Ahora queremos intentarlo de nuevo para la fecha indicada anteriormente y queremos saber si sería beneficiado teniendo el respaldo nuestro o no? Le informo que mi pareja y yo somos de nacionalidad española y que mi hijo tiene la tarjeta comunitaria.

Agradecemos la antención que pueda merecer nuestra inquietud.

Reciba nuestro cordial saludo,

Alfonso Gómez Cerezo y Dulcinea Urbáez


Answer: Consular General Dan Keller

While we can’t comment on any specific case, applicants for non-immigrant visas are required by U.S. law to demonstrate sufficient economic and social ties to their country of residence. There are many, many factors our consular officers take into consideration when evaluating an applicant’s connection to Spain and these criteria apply to all applicants, regardless of age. Applicants who have been found ineligible are always welcome to reapply, but we encourage them not to do so until their situation in Spain has fundamentally changed.

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Question: Giancarlo Camara Bianco

my question is:
I want to live in USA. What shuold I do to apply for a visa E80 as non permanent resident? Can you explain us how to apply and requirements for this type of visa? Thanking you for your time.

Giancarlo Camara Bianco


Answer: Consular General Dan Keller

The E category of non-immigrant visas is reserved for persons wishing to invest in, or trade with, a company in the U.S.. There is no E-80 visa that we are aware of, but details on all types of non-immigrant visas can be found on our website: http://madrid.usembassy.gov/cons/nonimmigvisatypes.html

Which type of visa you need always depends entirely on what you will be doing in the U.S., whether it be working, studying, participating in a cultural exchange, etc.


 

Thanks to all web chat participants for their questions and interest in visiting the United States. Please continue to check the U.S. Embassy Madrid website periodically for the latest details on the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) and other information on visa requirements.


Dan Keller
Consul General
U.S. Embassy Madrid
 

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