REVALIDATION
OF H, L, O AND P VISAS
An
application for revalidation (or renewal) of an H, L, O or P visa requires
the following documentation/information:
(1)
A passport valid for at least six (6) months. The passport (or accompanying
previous passport) must contain a previous visa bearing the same classification
as that which is now being sought. A visa may be revalidated if it has
a remaining validity of not more than sixty (60) days, or has not been
expired for more than one year. Each applicant will receive an individual
visa, and each machine readable visa (MRV) covers a full page. Therefore,
passports must contain a blank, unmarked visa page for each U.S. visa
to be placed in the passport.
(2)
The original Form I-94 annotated by the Immigration and Naturalization
Service (INS) inspector when s/he was last admitted to the U.S. The
original I-94 should be stapled in your passport. If the Form I-94 has
expired, you should submit a valid Form I-797 Notice of Approval from
the INS for each visa applicant.
(3) A valid employment petition (Form I-797) issued by the INS must
be submitted. The form will indicate the applicant's current employer
and the approved extension of temporary stay.
(4)
A comprehensive letter from the principal alien's employer identifying
the applicant and describing in detail the nature and function of the
position, the kind of business and what it does, and justifying the
need for the visa. The letter submitted must be on the letterhead of
the current employer, with an original signature from the company representative
and must be addressed to the Visa Office, Department of State. The Visa
Office cannot accept letters signed by the visa applicant. If the visa
applicant is the sole employee of the company in the United States,
the latest copy of the company's FICA and IRS forms must be submitted
along with the applicant's letter of explanation. Please include the
company's fax number.
(5)
A typed nonimmigrant visa application form, OF-156, with one passport-size
photograph, with white or light background, for each applicant regardless
of age. The photographs must be attached to the respective forms in
the designated place. Please spell out the month of birth (i.e., write
"January 2," NOT 1/2 or 2/1). Incomplete or improperly filled out applications
are returned without visas. The OF-156 application form may be obtained
via autofax at 202-647-3000, document 6306.
(6) If the spouse and/or dependent children are applying for visas separately
from the principal alien, certified copies of the principal alien's
valid visa and valid I-94 (front and back) must be submitted in addition
to all other requirements.
(7)
There is a required $45 non-refundable fee for each machine readable
visa. Payment may be made by bank draft, money order, or corporate check
made to the order of the "U.S. Department of State." Cash or personal
checks are not acceptable. In addition, certain nationalities must also
pay a "reciprocity fee." The amount of these fees vary from country
to country. In the case of multiple applicants, payment of all fees
may be consolidated in one check.
Nationals
of India, please note:
Reciprocity
in the H, L, O, and P categories changed April 14, 2000 to $75. Reciprocity
fees are in addition to the $45 MRV application fee that must be paid
by all applicants.
(8) This office does not have direct contact with the public. All transactions
take place via U.S. mail or commercial courier. While we do not recommend
any particular service, FEDERAL EXPRESS picks up daily directly from
our offices. The office's mail room is in a different building; items
sent via U.S. Postal Service take at least two extra days each way.
Include a prepaid airbill for the carrier of your choice to return the
documents to you. If you opt for the U.S. Postal Service, you must provide
a stamped, self addressed envelope for the postal service. For safety
reasons. U.S. Postal inspectors recommend that passports sent via the
U.S. Postal Service should be mailed in padded envelopes. If you make
no provisions for the return of your documents, we will return them
via ordinary surface mail.
Application packages must be mailed to the address above. No more than
one family per package. Processing time depends on seasonal demand.
It is best to allow a minimum of five weeks from the date of receipt.
This office adheres to a strict first-come, first-served policy.
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Postal
Service
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Courier
Service
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US
Department of State/Visa
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US
Department of State/Visa (Box 2099)
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P.
O. Box 952099
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1005
Convention Plaza
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St.
Louis, MO 63195-2099
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St.
Louis, MO 63101-1200
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Fax:
202-663-1608
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Fax:
202-663-1608
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