Department of State announced that effective immediately, Iranian nationals may receive two-year, multiple-entry nonimmigrant visas in F, J and M visa categories. The extended visas are limited to non-technical fields of study and research. While advocates would prefer that students receive at least a four-year visa, as many F-1 degree seekers are in 4-year programs, the Administration cites ongoing security and national interest concerns. We hold out hope that a four-year visa is on the horizon.  According to the statement, "non-sensitive, non-technical fields of study and research" will include fields that do not "contribute to the Iranian government’s proliferation activities." Further information has not been issued, but will hopefully be forthcoming to provide guidance to the public as well as for consular officers.

Thus, many Iranian students may now begin their studies in the U.S. with the comfort that they may still travel abroad, at least for the first two years of their study. Administration officials cite the Obama Administration's desire to increase the flow of information internationally, and making incremental reforms to many of our nations immigration policies. Iranians who already have a nonimmigrant F, J or M visa must unfortunately apply for a new visa; their existing visa will not be grandfathered into the new visa. 

The entire DOS announcement is below, click the Read More button to expand.

MEDIA NOTE: Changes to Visa Validity for Iranian Student Applicants in F, J, and M visa categories

 

May 20, 2011

 

As of May 20, 2011, qualified Iranian applicants for visas in the F, J, and M categories for non-sensitive, non-technical fields of study and research and their dependents will be eligible to receive two-year, multiple-entry visas.  This is an increase in the current visa validity of three months, single entry. 

 

This change will allow Iranian students and exchange visitors to travel more easily, furthering our goal of promoting the free flow of information and ideas.  his important decision is being taken as the global community witnesses the Iranian government’s increasing censorship and isolation of its own people.

 

Iranians currently in the United States on a three-month, single-entry visa in one of these categories must reapply outside the United States at a consular post in order to obtain two-year, multiple-entry visas.  Keep in mind that the validity of a visa refers to the time period the visa holder has to enter the U.S.  It has no bearing on the length of stay permitted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials at the port of entry.  Iranian students and exchange visitors in good standing in the United States do not need to apply for a new visa until after they depart the United States.

 

FAQs

 

Q:  Why are you making these changes now?

 

·        As President Obama noted in his Nowruz (Iranian New Year) statement, on March 20, 2011, Iran’s young people carry with them the power to create a country that is responsive to their aspirations.  He pledged U.S. support for Iran's young people, and this is an example of that support.

 

·        Making these adjustments to our visa policy reaffirms the President’s pledge and will help build new avenues for engagement with Iran’s youth, facilitate their ability to study in the United States, and allow Iran’s young people to better interact with the rest of the world.

 

·        This is particularly important now as the Iranian government cracks down on students and closes entire educational institutions to promising students.

 

Q: How do you think Iran’s government will react?  Did you inform the Iranian government?

 

·        This was a unilateral decision intended to benefit Iranian students and exchange visitors, and we expect that the Iranian government will recognize the long-term benefits and continue to allow them to come here for their studies. 

Q: What does the change actually mean?

 

·        In practical terms, this means that Iranian students and exchange visitors will now be able to travel during their studies without having to apply for a new visa each time they leave the United States.

·        Previously, Iranians studying in the United States usually refrained from travel even for family emergencies, holidays, or vacation since they would have to apply for new visas to reenter the United States prior to their return. 

 

Q: Does this change apply to all Iranian students?  Does it affect students already in the United States?

 

·        The change in visa validity applies to all prospective Iranian students and exchange program participants applying under the F, J, and M visa categories in non-sensitive, non-technical fields of study and research, as well as to their dependents.

 

·        Students currently in the United States on a three-month, single-entry visa will need to reapply outside the United States at a consular post to be eligible for a visa with the longer validity period.  However, the validity of a visa has no bearing on the length of stay permitted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials at the port of entry.  Iranian students and exchange visitors in good standing under a three-month, single-entry F, J, or M visa in the United States do not need to apply for a new visa unless they depart the United States. 

 

Q: What do you mean by “non-sensitive, non-technical” fields of study?  Will it mean that, effectively, most Iranian students will still fall under the previous regulations?

 

·        Non-sensitive, non-technical fields of study and research are those that do not contribute to the Iranian government’s proliferation activities.  Currently a substantial number of Iranians apply for visas to pursue non-sensitive, non-technical fields of study in the United States or are dependents of these individuals.

Q: Why only two years when a regular course of study is four years?

 

·        At this time the U.S. government has determined that a maximum 2-year validity period is appropriate in light of U.S. national interests.  However, this determination does not preclude a possible further extension of the visa validity period at a later date if it is determined to be in the U.S. national interest to do so.  Note that a student may be allowed to remain in the U.S. for the duration of his studies even if the visa he or she was granted by a U.S. embassy or consulate overseas is valid for a shorter period than the length of the course of study.

 

Q: What about the lengthy administrative processing delays?

 

·        Student and exchange applicants are encouraged to apply early for their visas.  Students may apply for their visas as soon as they are documentarily qualified to do so.  Most administrative processing is resolved within 60 days of the visa interview, but the timing can vary based on the individual circumstances of each case.  The Department of State gives priority to processing student visas in time for students to attend their academic programs, regardless of the student’s nationality, and the Department of State is continuously working to improve processing times.

 

Q: Do American students who study in Iran receive reciprocal treatment for visa validity periods and number of entries?

 

·        Without diplomatic relations with Iran, there is no means for a consular officer to negotiate any aspects of visa policy with the Government of Iran, including reciprocity for visa validity periods or number of entries for American students who are studying in Iran.

·        Additionally, the U.S. has had a travel warning in place for Iran for several years, which advises U.S. travelers to “carefully consider the risks of travel” to Iran, noting that the United States does not have direct diplomatic or consular relations in-country.

 

For more information in both Persian and English on studying in the U.S., please visit http://www.educationusairan.com/farsi/.  EducationUSA is a global network of more than 400 student advising centers supported by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State that provide accurate, comprehensive and unbiased information about studying in the United States.

 

Drafted:      NEA/IR: EWMurad, x71425

 

Approved:  NEA Jeffrey D. Feltman                   ok

 

Cleared:      NEA/FO: RSchlicher               ok

NEA/FO: PDibble                             ok

NEA/FO: GHoltz                     ok

CA/VO: DDonahue                 ok

                   CA/VO: EConway, Acting      ok

                   CA/VO/F/P: LPetrush             ok

                   CA/VO/F/P: RHilton               ok

                   CA/VO/F/P: BGrewe               ok

                   CA/VO/P: GSheaffer               ok

                   CA/VO/L: JGorsky                 ok

                   CA/VO/L/C: LBrenneman       ok

                   CA/P: JEchard                         ok

                   L/CA: GDickey                        ok

                   NEA/IR:  JHood                      ok

NEA/PPD: EPelton                 ok

D(S): AGoel                                      ok

D(N): SCarl-Yoder                  ok

                    P: ECatalano                           ok

                    S/P: JBurns                             ok

                   ECA/A: DPlack                       ok

                    NSS: MPopal                          ok

                    DHS: JMacDowell                            ok

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