Might be just for Mexico
Source: http://mexico.usembassy.gov/eng/evisas_third_country.html
Visa Services
Third Country Nationals Who Live in the United States and Who Wish to Apply for Visas in Mexico
Third Country Nationals residing in the United States who wish to apply for a visa in Mexico may make their interview appointment at any of the ten posts comprising Mission Mexico on-line at http://www.usvisa-mexico.com/ (click on "English" if necessary) or by phone at 1-900-476-1212.
Appointment numbers are limited and may be unavailable at some posts because of other demands so flexibility in where you wish to apply is helpful.
Who Can Apply in Mexico
- Applicants seeking to renew their C1/D, D, F, H, I, J, L, M, O, P and R visas, if the initial visa was issued in the applicant's home country or at one of the border posts in the past few years.
Notice: Certain visa applicants may be subject to additional administrative processing. This administrative processing may last weeks, thus delaying visa delivery and the applicant's return to the United States. Every effort will be made to expedite these procedures; however, it is not possible to guarantee completion of this process by a particular date.
Who Cannot Apply in Mexico:
- Applicants for B1/2 visas, including renewals are not accepted from third country nationals who are not resident in Mexico.
- Applicants who entered the U.S. with a visa issued in their home country and changed status with Department of Homeland Security in the U.S. who seek a new visa in the new visa category
- Applicants who entered the United States in one visa category and are seeking to re-enter the U.S. in a different visa category.
- Applicants who have been out of status in the U.S. having violated the terms of their visas or having overstayed the validity indicated on their I-94s.
- Applicants who entered the U.S. under the auspices of the Visa Waiver Program.
- Applicants who obtained their current visa in a country other than that of their legal residence.
- PLEASE NOTE: If you were informed when you obtained the original visa in your home country that you are subject to National Security Entry Exit Registrations (NSEERs), are a national of North Korea, Cuba, Syria, Sudan or Iran, you are not eligible to renew your visa in Mexico.
*TCN Visa Renewals– Before deciding to apply at a consular section in Mexico, third country nationals should keep in mind that traveling to the country may require the appropriate Mexican visa from a Mexico’s embassy or consulate before making the trip. Potential applicants should be sure they have a visa, if necessary, and are prepared to wait several days in Mexico while their visa is being processed.
If you wish to know more about H1B visa stamping follow this link
http://murthyforum.atinfopop.com/4/OpenTopic?a=frm&s=1024039761&f=4724019812
Did mine in Nepal, and it went smoothly, but I think they are holding those whoever is thru dhoti consultancy. I think the main reason for this is PIMS verification. Generally the PIMS is not updated, so you can call or email consulate for PIMS verification before actually going for stamping.
source: http://www.murthy.com/news/n_pimsvu.html
PIMS Verification Update
Posted Dec 28, 2007
©MurthyDotCom
A recent U.S. Department of State (DOS) directive to U.S. consular posts now requires consulting an electronic record for visa issuance in nonimmigrant categories H, L, O, P, and Q. This was first reported to MurthyDotCom and MurthyBulletin readers in our December 7, 2007 article, PIMS Verification Required for Certain Nonimmigrant Visas. The verification of visa petition approvals is now carried out through the Petition Information Management Service, known as PIMS, even if a beneficiary takes an original I-797 approval notice to the interview. The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) asked the DOS to clarify the purpose and the functioning of this directive. In response, the DOS provided this important information to AILA members.
©MurthyDotCom
USCIS Must Send KCC Petition Approvals before Visa Issuance
©MurthyDotCom
The new verification system requires that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) send information on all approved petitions requiring visa issuance to the Kentucky Consular Center (KCC), which is part of the DOS. KCC scans and enters all pertinent information including Form I-129, employer support letter, and beneficiary's identification documents into PIMS. KCC also conducts database checks looking for fraud, violations, or other adverse history and records. A petition must be confirmed in PIMS by the U.S. consular post before issuance of the visa. The USCIS has not been transmitting petitions filed for change of status and extension of status to the KCC. Neither have all new petitions for consular processing been transmitted to KCC, resulting in delayed visa issuance to eligible applicants.
©MurthyDotCom
Benefits Provided by New Verification System
©MurthyDotCom
The DOS has indicated that most of the cases approved for visa processing are being entered into PIMS in a matter of hours. As a result of the new directive requiring multiple checks for fraud and other adverse information, the DOS is able to find forged and altered I-797 approval notices for companies that no longer exist or that never existed. In addition, if a visa applicant has neither an original nor copy of an approval notice and the information has been entered into PIMS, no such notice is required for visa issuance. While some posts still require original approval notices, the DOS is developing clear guidelines to eliminate this requirement.
©MurthyDotCom
Negative Effects of New System
©MurthyDotCom
Visa applicants whose information has not been entered into PIMS in a timely manner sometimes have to wait longer than the two days specified for visa issuance. There have been reports from individuals who have had to alter travel plans and arrangements to account for errors and delays in having all of their relevant information entered into PIMS. To remedy this problem, AILA has requested that the DOS provide a mechanism for notifying KCC directly to make sure that all the information on an approved petition is entered into the system before a beneficiary applies for a visa.
©MurthyDotCom
Conclusion
©MurthyDotCom
The DOS has indicated that it is willing to develop a mechanism to address any negative effects of the new requirement to verify petition approval information before issuing a visa in certain types of nonimmigrant petitions. MurthyDotCom and MurthyBulletin readers will be updated on this important matter when there are new developments.
Oh yeah, there is something called TAL(Technology Alert List). Be sure ur job doesnt fall into this category.
The Technology Alert List (TAL)
And
It’s Visa Issuance Implications
International faculty, scholars and students (hereinafter visa applicants) coming to the United States to engage in an activity identified in the Technology Alert List (hereinafter TAL) may encounter lengthy delays at United States Consulates or maybe ineligible to obtain a visa if the proposed activity is subject to the United States technology transfer laws.
Originally designated to help and maintain technological superiority over the Warsaw Pact, it was later revised to cover current laws restricting or prohibiting the export of goods and technologies. In particular the TAL was designed to assist in the implementation of INA §212 (a)(3)(a) which renders inadmissible foreign nationals who are believed to be seeking entering the United States to violate or evade United State laws prohibiting the export of goods, technology or sensitive information.
The TAL consists of two parts: (1) “Critical Fields List” which lists the major fields of technology transfer concern, and (2) the Department of State List of designated State Sponsors of Terrorism. The first test applies to nationals of all countries while the second test is intended to remind the Consular Officers that applicants from listed countries warrant special scrutiny and are subject to a mandatory Visa Mantis checks. To obtain a complete copy of the Critical Field List visit www.tamu.edu/isd or http://international.tamu.edu/iss/.
A Visa Mantis Check is a request made by the Consular Officer to the Department of State to seek advisory assistance for the specific case at hand. Processing times for this type of check vary widely and the visa applicants may experience delays (from one to seven months or more) that may jeopardize their plans to work or study in the United States.
However, most of the information taught in academic courses is not subject to United States technology transfer controls. Moreover, information in the public domain used for many research projects may not fall under these types of controls. Nonetheless, Consular Officers have an obligation to prevent the loss of United States technology or sensitive information, and accordingly must enforce INA §212 (a)(3)(a).
- What does the visa applicant need to do?
It is clear from the guidance given by the Department of State on this issue that the foreign national needs to provide the Consular Officer with as much information as possible to aid him/her in making a determination as to whether or not the visa petition is subject to a Visa Mantis check. This information needs to come from two sources: the applicant and the employing department (if an employee) or the University (if a student). This aids the Consular Officer and reduces the probability of being subjected to this type of security check.
- Reducing the risk of Visa Mantis checks
When the visa applicant files a petition, the Consular Officer will review the type of activity that the applicant will be engaged in upon arrival in the United States. The Consular Officer will also take into consideration all other relevant factors pertaining to the petition. It is, therefore, paramount to provide the Consular Officer with detailed information pertaining to the visa applicant’s background, proposed activities and travel plans.
In addition to the documents one would normally take to the United States Consulate to obtain a visa stamp, such as I-20, DS-2019, H-1B approved petition and supporting documentation [for a complete list of documents and requirements to obtain a U.S. visa stamp www.tamu.edu/isd (if an employee) or http://international.tamu.edu/iss/ (if a student)] the visa applicant should take to the interview the following additional documentation:
I. Background Information (to be provided by the visa applicant)
The visa applicant’s background information should include:
(A) For New Scholars or Faculty Members
- Complete resume
- List of publications, including samples
- Project Description in which the visa applicant is or has been involved
- Description of the specifics of his work and points of contact in his home country
- Letters of recommendation from the institution where the applicant is or has been working prior to coming to the United States
- Evidence and explanation of the source of funding if the scholar is being sponsored by his/her government or he/she is providing his/her own funding
(B) For Current Faculty/Scholar Employees (continuing activities)
- Complete resume
- List of publications, including samples
- Evidence and explanation of the source of funding if the scholar is being sponsored by his/her government or he/she is providing his/her own funding
- Description of the specifics of his/her work in the United States and points of contact in his home country
(C) For Currently Enrolled Students
- List of courses taken to attain the degree (degree plan) and the specifics of his/her interest to study in the United States
- A copy of the departmental description of the degree program
- Complete resume
- List of publications (if any), including samples
- Letters of recommendation from the institution where the applicant is or has been studying prior to coming to the United States
- Source(s) of funding for the education
- If the student is receiving a research assistantship, a description of the employment including who is the and the employer (principal investigator)
(D) For Newly Admitted Students
- The specifics of his/her interest to study in the United States
- Complete resume
- List of publications (if any), including samples
- Source(s) of funding for the education. If the student will receive a research assistantship, a description of the employment including who is the and the employer (principal investigator)
II. Proposed or Continuing Activities in the U.S.A. (to be provided by the University)
(A) For New Scholars or Faculty Members
o Letter of recommendation from the employing department
o Description of the specifics of the teaching position or the research project in the United States including any specifics as to the need for security clearance, and point of contact (Department Head or PI)
o Copy of the job offer letter or the extension of the employment
(B) For Current Faculty/Scholar Employees (continuing activities)
o Description of the specifics of the ongoing teaching work or research project at TAMU in the form of a letter from the Department Head or PI regarding same, including any specifics as to the need for security clearance
o Copy of the job offer letter or the extension of the employment
o Letter of recommendation or support from the employing department
(C) For Currently Enrolled Students
o Copies of the University’s brochure in which academic programs are listed
o Letter from the academic department, admissions office regarding the proposed degree for which the student has matriculate, with a detailed explanation, in layman’s terms, of the content of those courses that could be subject to TAL.
o If the student will receive a research assistantship, a description of the employment including who is the and the employer (principal investigator)
o Letters of recommendation from professors if they know the student
(D) For Newly Admitted Students
o Letter from the academic department regarding the proposed degree fro which the student has matriculated, with a detailed explanation, in layman’s terms of the content of those courses that could be subject to TAL. If the student will receive a research assistantship, a description of the employment including who is the and the employer (principal investigator)
o Official admission letter
A. Conventional Munitions: Technologies associated with:
- Warheads and other large caliber projectiles
- Reactive armor and warhead defeat systems
- Fusing and arming systems
- Electronic countermeasures and systems
- New or novel explosives and formulations
- Automated explosive detection methods and equipment
B. Nuclear Technology: Technologies associated with production and use of nuclear material for both peaceful and military applications. Included are technologies for:
- Enrichment of fissile material
- Reprocessing irradiated nuclear fuel to recover produced plutonium
- Production of heavy water for moderator material
- Plutonium and tritium handling
Also, certain associated technologies related to nuclear physics and/or nuclear engineering. Includes materials, equipment or technology associate with:
- Power reactors, breeder and production reactors
- Fissile or special nuclear materials
- Uranium enrichment, including gaseous diffusion, centrifuge, aerodynamic, chemical, Electromagnetic Isotopic Separation (EMIS), Laser Isotope Separation (LIS)
- Spent fuel reprocessing, plutonium, mixed oxide nuclear research
- Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF)
- Magnetic confinement fusion
- Laser fusion, high power lasers, plasma
- Nuclear fuel fabrication including Mixed Oxide (uranium-plutonium) fuels (MOX)
- Heavy water production
- Tritium production and use
- Hardening technology
C. Rocket Systems (including ballistic missile systems, space launch vehicles and sounding rockets) and Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAV) (including cruise missiles, target drones, and reconnaissance drones): Technologies associated with rocket systems and UAV systems. The technology needed to develop a satellite launch vehicle is virtually identical to that needed to build a ballistic missile.
D. Rocket System and Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) Subsystems: Propulsion technologies include solid rocket motor stages, and liquid propellant engines. Other critical subsystems include re-entry vehicles, guidance sets, thrust vector controls and warhead safing, arming and fusing. Many of these technologies are dual-use. Technologies include:
- Liquid and solid rocket propulsion systems
- Missile propulsion and systems integration
- Individual rocket stages or staging/separation mechanism
- Aerospace thermal (such as super alloys) and high-performance structures
- Propulsion systems test facilities
E. Navigation, Avionics and Flight Control Useable in Rocket Systems and Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAV): These capabilities directly determine the delivery, accuracy, and lethality of both unguided and guided weapons. The long-term costs to design, build and apply these technologies have been a limiting proliferation factor. Technologies include those associated with:
o Internal navigation systems
o Tracking and terminal homing devices
o Accelerometers and gyroscopes
o Rocket and UAV and flight control systems
o Global Positioning System (GPS)
F. Chemical, Biotechnology and Biomedical Engineering: The technology used to produce chemical and biological weapons is inherently dual-use. The same technologies that could be applied to develop and produce chemical and biological weapons are sued widely by civilian research laboratories and industry; these technologies are relatively common in many countries. Advanced biotechnology has the potential to support biological weapons research. In the biological area, look for interest in technologies associated with:
- Aerobiology (study of microorganisms found in the air or in aerosol form)
- Biochemistry
- Pharmacology
- Immunology
- Virology
- Bacteriology
- Mycology
- Microbiology
- Growth and culture of microorganisms
- Pathology (study of diseases)
- Toxicology
- Study of toxins
- Virulence factors
- Genetic engineering, recombinant DNA technology
- Identification of nucleic acid sequences associated with pathogenecity
- Freeze-drying (lyophilization)
- Fermentation technology
- Cross-filtration equipment
- High “DOP-rated filters” (e.g., HEPA filters, ULPA filters)
- Microencapsulation
- Aerosol sprayers and technology, aerosol and aerosolization technology
- Spray or drum drying technology
- Milling equipment or technology intended for the production of micron-sized particles
- Technology for eliminating electrostatic charges of small particles
- Flight training
- Crop-dusting, aerosol dissemination
- Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology
- Fuses, detonators, and other munitions technology
- Submunitions technology
- Computer modeling of dissemination or contagion
- Chemical absorption (nuclear-biological-chemical (NBC) protection).
In the chemical area, look for:
