PUERTO RICO VISA INFORMATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
Persons intending to take courses of study of less than 18 hours a week may do so with a tourist visa; otherwise a student (either an "M-1" or "F-1" class) visa will be required
Countries whose citizens may be exempted from tourist visa requirements, for stays of up to 90 days:
Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Uruguay
Note: To qualify for visa-free travel under the Visa Waiver Pilot Program, one must travel on an unexpired passport for holiday, transit or business purposes only and for a stay not exceeding 90 days; hold a return or onward ticket, a completed form I-94W and enter aboard an air or sea carrier participating in the Visa Waiver Pilot Program if entering by air or sea (lists of participating air or sea carriers are available from most travel agents);
What documents will be required?
2 completed application forms
A passport valid for travel to Puerto Rico, with a validity date at least six months beyond the applicant's intended period of stay
1 photograph (1in x 1.5in)
Evidence of sufficient funds
Postal or drop-box applications:
(a) Completed visa application form DS-156.
(b) Passport (valid through 6 months after entry).
(c) 1 passport-size colour photo (5x5 cm, head size 2,5 - 3,5 cm, front view, light background, max. 6 months old).
(d) Copy of Embassy's red paying-in slip.
(e) Supporting documents: DS-158 (male between 16 and 45 also need a DS-157).
(f) Stamped, self-addressed envelope.
Applications through travel agent:
In addition to mentioned above applicants should contact the travel agent for details on paying the visa fee.
Further documentation may be required to substantiate details such as the purpose of visit plus proof of intention to return to country of residence.
Note:
(a) For nationals of countries under the Visa Waiver Pilot Program, passports must be valid for at least 90 days from date of entry (except for nationals of Andorra, Brunei, San Marino and Slovenia, who must hold passports valid for 6 months from date of departure).
(b) For all other nationals, passports must be valid for 6 months from date of entry.
Interns: When doing an internship in Puerto Rico, a J1 visa is required. For the application you need the DS-2016 form (former IAP66). Usually the company or the organization arranges that. Male applicants aged 16-45 need to fill in the DS-157 form additionally. All persons who apply for F, J and M Visa have to fill in DS-158 (Information on contact persons and the business background) additional.
Time required to issue visa:
3-4 weeks, average
How do I apply?
Contact your nearest Puerto Rico Embassy or consulate.
What is the cost of a visa?
Each applicant for a visa must pay a non-refundable US$100 application fee, regardless of whether the visa is denied or issued and regardless of the duration of the visa or entries required.
Nationals of Mexico will not be charged the application fee.
The embassy will provide a paying-in slip.
The fee must be paid in cash at a bank prior to submitting a visa application to the Puerto Rico Embassy.
How long is the visa valid for?
10 years. Some visas are valid for multiple entries.
The length of stay in the Puerto Rico is determined by immigration officials at the time of entry, but is generally 6 months.
When you enter the United States on a student visa, you will usually be admitted for the duration of your student status. That means you may stay as long as you are a full time student, even if the F-1 visa in your passport expires while you are in America. For a student who has completed the course of studies shown on the I-20, and any authorized practical training, the student is allowed the following additional time in Puerto Rico before departure:
F-1 student - An additional 60 days, to prepare for departure from the Puerto Rico or to transfer to another school.
M-1 student - An additional 30 days to depart Puerto Rico (Fixed time period, in total not to exceed one year). The 30 days to prepare for departure is permitted as long as the student maintained a full course of study and maintained status. An M student may receive extensions up to three years for the total program.
Other information:
Entry restrictions:
The following will be refused entry to Puerto Rico unless a 'waiver of ineligibility' has first been obtained:
(a) people afflicted with certain serious communicable diseases;
(b) anyone with a criminal record;
(c) narcotics addicts or abusers and drug traffickers;
(d) anyone who has been deported from or denied admission to Puerto Rico within the previous 5 years.
Important Notice: Please Note that these regulations are changed on a regular basis by the different governments, Southtravels.com can not be liable for any information that could have been changed since we checked it. It is the responsibility of each passenger to check the different conditions of entry to the desired country.
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