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BETA AND GAMMA

The staff of US border control is supposed to search all persons entering the US for radioactive substances. The reason is their fear of terrorist attacks. According to the New York Times, US customs and immigration have been equipped with detectors that could detect radioactivity from a distance of one or two meters. The devices that had been in use at some checkpoints after September 11 already, will now be used everywhere without exception. All persons entering the US from now on will be checked. However, delays due to these new security measures are not being expected. The paper continues that US intelligence is worried that terrorists could bring radioactive substances into the country to make dirty bombs.

ATTENTION!: VISA APPLICATION FORM DS-156 (previously OF-156) REVISED AGAIN!

On March 10, 2003, the visa application form DS-156 has been revised again. Effective immediately, old forms downloaded before March 10 are no longer valid. Unfortunately, the new DS form was not available on the US embassy's website before our editorial deadline. There you will find small but important changes. For example the new question 25, asking for more information about the people you intend to visit in the US.

ATTENTION: J-1 VISA APPLICANTS!

Effective immediately, all German J-Visa applicants (exchange visitor visa) can only submit their applications to the US consulate general in Frankfurt. They don't have to attend personal interviews as other non-immigrant visa applicants have to. J-Visa applicants who are not German citizens still have to submit their applications to the US embassy in Berlin or the US consulate general in Frankfurt.

US VISAS: PHOTO REQUIREMENTS CHANGED

Effective immediately, there are new photo regulations for visa applicants at the US consulates (please note that these do NOT apply to green card lottery participants). Germans still have to submit one photo only. Applicants from China, Cuba, Russia and Vietnam, on the other hand, will need two. The photos must be no older than 6 months and 5 x 5 centimeters. The head, measured vertically, must be between 2.5 and 3.5 centimeters and the applicant has to be visible in a frontal face position, both ears must be visible. Please attach the photo to the DS-156 application form, make sure that the staple is as far away from the head as possible.

STUDENTS: IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR F, J, AND M VISAS

US immigration, now called Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration (BCIS) has completed the development of the so-called Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). The internet-based system controls F, M and J-Visa holders and their family members from the time they get the first forms from the US (form I-20 or DS-2019) until the time they complete their program. Since February 15, 2003, all participants in these categories will be checked by the SEVIS system before the visas can be issued. This may lead to delays with the processing at the US consulates. One reason for this measure is to make sure the student enrolled at the US school is identical with the applicant abroad.

PRACTICAL ADVICE: Applications in this category are being more closely examined than in the past lately. Especially your intention to return to your home country after your stay in the US can be a decisive factor. This means that now F-1 and J-visas will no longer be issued more or less automatically after the necessary forms have been submitted. Denied visas may cause problems with later admission even as a tourist, e.g. if you should be banned from visa-free entry as a consequence.

We will be glad to answer all your questions about this or other visa issues, just write us an email.