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http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2006&m=February&x=20060214173916aawajuk0.2542841&t=xarchives/xarchitem.html
14 February 2006
U.S. To Issue Student Visas 120 Days Ahead of Start of Classes
Measure part of Rice-Chertoff joint vision on secure borders, open doors
The United States has extended the length of time foreign students may be issued student visas, and will issue student visas up to 120 days before classes begin, as compared to 90 days under previous regulations, the State Department announced February 14.
Under the new regulations, students applying for initial-entry F-1 (academic student), F-2 (spouse or child of F-1) and M-1 (vocational training) and M-2 (spouse or child of M-1) visas now may be issued those visas up to 120 days before their academic program start date.
“[T]his change reflects our ongoing commitment to ensuring the safety of our citizens and our visitors by keeping our borders secure, while also taking significant steps to ensure that our doors remain open to those seeking to visit, study or conduct business in the U.S.,” according to the announcement.
The changes apply only to students entering the United States for the first time, the announcement said.
Continuing students may apply for new F or M visas at any time, as long as they have maintained their student status and their student and exchange visitor information (SEVIS) records are current. J-1 (exchange visitor) and J-2 (spouse or child of J-1) visas may be issued to J-1 visitors at any time before the beginning of their programs.
The measure is part of the Rice-Chertoff joint vision for secure borders and open doors in the information age, a three-part plan to welcome visitors to the United States without compromising security, announced by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff January 17. The joint vision aims to renew America’s welcome with improved technology and efficiency; develop travel documents for the 21st century; and create “smarter screening” of travelers. (See related article and fact sheet.)
Announcing the joint vision, Rice said the United States is working to renew its welcome to foreign visitors and is giving "top priority" to getting visas into the hands of prospective students. (See related article.)
For information on studying in the United States, see the State Department Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs EducationUSA Web site and the electronic journal, College and University Education in the United States.
Additional information on student visas and the visa application process is available on the State Department Bureau of Consular Affairs Web site.
Following is the text of the State Department media note with further details:
(begin text)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Media Note
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
February 14, 2006
Student Visas: Secure Borders and Open Doors in the Information Age
The Department of State is pleased to announce we have extended the length of time foreign students may be issued student visas. This is one of the elements of the recently announced Rice-Chertoff Joint Vision which will enhance border security while streamlining security processes and facilitating travel for visitors to the United States.
Students applying for initial-entry F-1, F-2, and M-1 and M-2 visas may now be issued those visas up to 120 days before their academic program start date (as compared to 90 days under previous regulations). J-1 and J-2 visitors may be issued visas at any time before the beginning of their programs.
These changes apply only to initial-entry students. Continuing students may apply for new F or M visas at any time, as long as they have maintained their student status and their Student and Exchange Visitor Information (SEVIS) records are current.
As part of the Joint Vision announced by Secretaries Rice and Chertoff, this change reflects our ongoing commitment to ensuring the safety of our citizens and our visitors by keeping our borders secure, while also taking significant steps to ensure that our doors remain open to those seeking to visit, study or conduct business in the U.S. | 
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发表于 2006-2-18 21:50:00
