Visa Chat: Non-Immigrant Visas

Wednesday, 2 April 2008

The chat on Non-Immigrant Visas is now concluded. Thank you to everyone who participated, and we hope that the session was helpful and informative to all! The full transcript of the session is now available.

NEW! U.S. – Australia Student Work and Travel Pilot Program

The Student Work and Travel Pilot Program announced by President Bush and Prime Minister Howard in September went into effect October 31, 2007.

The program, which allows American and Australian post-secondary students and recent graduates to work and travel in Australia or the U.S. for up to one year, further strengthens the cultural and personal ties between our two nations. Although Australia has similar arrangements with other countries, this is the first program of its kind for the United States.

Interested Australian participants must first secure sponsorship from an approved exchange organization. The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs has initially approved the following sponsoring organizations:

• American Institute for Foreign Study, Inc.
• Camp Counselors USA/Work Experience USA
• Core Consulting Solutions, LLC.
• Council on International Educational Exchange
• Cultural Homestay International
• InterExchange, Inc.
• International Cultural Exchange Organization, Inc.
• International Exchange of North America, Inc.
• Life Adventures, Inc.
• Walt Disney World Co.

Further information on program sponsorship for the Student Work and Travel Pilot and other exchange visitor programs is available on the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Website.

Please see our nonimmigrant visa page for general information on the U.S. visa application process, including how to apply for a U.S. visa in Australia.

Important Notice — Consular Exchange Rate

On Thursday, March 13, 2008, the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Australia will revise the consular exchange rate to reflect recent changes in equivalency between the U.S. dollar and the Australian dollar.

All U.S. Consular fees worldwide are established in U.S. dollars (USD). For some common consular services we have listed the Australian dollar (AUD) equivalent on the relevant fee information web page. For a complete list of U.S. immigrant and nonimmigrant visa fees please refer to travel.state.gov.

Consular fees at U.S. Consulates in Australia may be paid in U.S. dollars, by credit card, or in Australian cash. Please refer to our fees page for further guidance on how to pay a fee at U.S. Consulates in Australia.