Visas
From AFSWiki
Approximately 6-10 weeks before departure, AFS will send out notifications regarding visa instructions (sometimes referred to as a Visa Information Packet or Visa Instructions). In some cases, AFS will obtain a student's visa for them. However, in most cases, AFS will not be able to obtain visas for participants, and will only be able to provide general information regarding the process. Whether or not AFS can apply on a student's behalf, the student and/or family are responsible for gathering and completing the paperwork and covering any required fees. Visa fees are not included in the AFS tuition.
When students have questions about the visa process, often the questions can be answered simply by going over the instructions a second (or third) time. Verify that the participant has read through the instructions carefully, or (preferably) bring up the instructions on our website so that you may go over the instructions together with the participant or parent in person on the phone. If this does not produce an answer to the question at hand, then refer the participant or parent to their country's Application Advisor.
It's important to remember that visas are issued by the diplomatic officials of a student's host country's foreign mission here in the United States, and not by AFS. While AFS does try to supply participants with as much information, guidance and assistance as possible, we stress to all participants that if they are applying for visas themselves, they must communicate directly with the consulate of jurisdiction for their state to ensure they have the most up to date and accurate information. If a participant is refused a visa or does not obtain his or her visa prior to the scheduled departure date for the program, he or she may not be able to participate in the AFS program.
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