Visitor ( B1 / B2 )

University Registration Program (URP)

Applicants Eligible to Apply through the URP

Eligible universities may use URP to schedule visitor (B) visa applications for the following persons who wish to travel to the United States for short-term business or tourism.

• Fulltime faculty or professional staff (typically employees required to have at least a bachelors degree), either Korean citizens or foreigners who work for the university in Korea under a long-term visa.

• Fulltime regular staff (maintenance workers, security guards, etc.) who have continuously worked in fulltime status at the university for at least the past five years.

• Employee’s children under 21 years of age and spouses
• Former U.S. legal permanent residents (LPR) or U.S. citizens if they submit proof of abandonment of LPR status (I-407) or Certificate of Loss of U.S. nationality (FS-348).

INELIGIBLE APPLICANTS FOR THE URP

The following employees cannot use URP.  They must schedule an appointment at www.us-visaservices.com

• Employees seeking to travel to the United States for purposes other than short-term business and/or tourism, e.g. students (F), exchange (J) or temporary work (H).
• Part-timers, interns or temporary employees.
• Whose spouses are U.S. citizens, LPRS or already in the United States.
• With any immigrant petition on file and/or PR passport holders.
• Non-Koreans who do not hold a long-term visa to Korea, i.e. visitors, part-time lectures.
• Employees refused any visa within the past year.
• Employees’ parents or other relatives who are not a spouse or child under the age of 21.
  

DOCUMENTATION

All URP submissions must include

• A signed passport valid for at least six months after your date of entry into the U.S., with any covers removed.
• If the employee has had prior US visas and has since received a new passport, all old passport(s) must be presented at the time of the interview.
• An electronic application form (DS-156) and DS-157 completed in English on the Internet, printed with bar code page and signed by the employee.
  
• Applicants must use the electronic application form (DS-156).
• After verifying the information on the DS-156/DS-157, the URP authorized signer at your university must sign in Block 40.
• The University must clearly indicate by rubber stamp that the application is being submitted through the URP
• The University's assigned URP Number written on the top right hand side of the DS-156/DS-157. The URP Number should also be included on any correspondence.
• A passport style photo taken within the past six months, 50mm x 50mm, with white background, attached to the DS-156.
• A receipt from Shinhan Bank for the visa processing fee attached to the DS-156.
• All application packages must be configured in the following manner:  First, Internet appointment slip.  Second, DS-156/157 with photo and MRV fee receipt and bar code sheet.  Last, the URP Registration Letter (see below).
  
• A completed URP Registration Letter for each application package.  The names and relationships of all family members applying for a visa must be included on the letter. The letter must be dated within one month of the application and be printed on university letterhead.
  
• If spouse or children are applying, submit a Family Census Register (Certificate of Family Relationship/Basic Certificate/Certificate of Marital Status/Adoption Certificate) as proof of relationship to employee.  If family members are applying separately, include a copy of the employee’s visa with the application package.
  
• Children not yet 14 years of age do not require an interview.  If a child’s parent already has a visa, the child can apply directly by an Embassy-approved courier, not using URP.
  
• Entry/exit records from Korean Immigration if a valid U.S. visa has been lost and a written English explanation of the loss. 
  
• For non-Koreans:
• Copy of employment contract showing the applicant’s hire date and expiration date.
• Copy of alien registration card showing period of validity and status.
  
• A courier receipt from an Embassy-approved courier company.

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Visa interview Procedures

URP applicants are seen 1:30-3:30 pm, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, except Korean and American holidays.

• Before appointment, ensure that all applications are completed with proper photo and Shinhan Bank MRV fee receipt attached to application. 
• URP applicant arrives at Embassy’s visa side entrance 15 minutes early to allow time for normal security check.
• After security check, the URP applicant goes to the 3rd floor, skipping the 1st floor intake.
• Please take a number at the URP number machine and wait for your number to be called. After your number is called, submit your documents to windows #310 and 311.
• Wait in line to be fingerscanned and interviewed at window #312.
• Passports with visas will be returned by courier within five business days.
  
  
  

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please go to USA VISA Information Services at http://www.us-visaservices.com. USA VISA Information Services is available 24 hours a day, and can be accessed from both inside and outside of Korea.

For nonimmigrant visa (NIV) inquiries (excluding E, H, L, O, P, Q visa inquiries), please e-mail us at : seoulniv@state.gov. For E, H, L, O, P, Q visa inquiries, please e-mail us at : seoulgoldteam@state.gov. The applicant, not the U.S. Government, assumes full responsibility for all documents and materials submitted in connection with any consular or visa matter, and for qualifying for the required visa or travel document in time to meet the applicant's needs.

This is an official U.S. Government source of information on the WWW. Inclusion of non-U.S. Government links or information does not imply endorsement of contents.

Updated July 18, 2008