These instructions are for Camp America
participants who are making their visa
applications at the U.S embassy in London on
a J-day.
If you do not fall into the above category then
please go back to the list of links and pick
another option.
If you are unsure then please call the Camp
America London office.
Many congratulations on receiving
your placement/guaranteed
placement.
The next step is to obtain your visa.
Please click to move on
The type of visa that you will apply for is called a J-1 Visa exchange
visitor visa.
In order to obtain the necessary work visa, the U.S. embassy in London arrange
special “J-Days” which are designed especially for you! No members of the public
will be allowed into the embassy on these days. This means that the whole process
is designed to be extremely quick and efficient and so we hope that you will not be
required to spend too much of your valuable time at the embassy. In addition, on
these days Camp America will have representatives both inside and outside the
embassy to help you.
J-Days will be held throughout March – June and Camp America will book you
into the first available J-day. If you have not received your embassy
appointment notification within two weeks of receiving this visa mailing please
urgently call the Camp America London office.
You now need to pay your embassy fee (which includes the return courier fee).
This payment can be made via your Camp America Direct online system. Please
note that this is NOT an additional Camp America fee, but the fee you
would have paid the embassy directly if you had made the booking
yourself.
What happens next – confirmation of your appointment:
You will receive confirmation of your booking and payment receipt by e-mail directly from
the US Embassy Visa Information Service – please don’t delete this email until you have
received your passport back with your visa! You’ll need to print both the email and the
receipt (attachment to the email) sign where required and bring them with you to your
appointment.
It is important that you DO NOT make any travel arrangements or go to the
embassy unless you have received this confirmation email (your name will not
be on the list – so there’ll be no getting in!).
In addition to receiving an email from the embassy Camp America will also email you to
confirm your appointment, and you will be able to see your appointment details through
the Camp America Direct online system (Visa page).
You will not be allowed into the Embassy without your U.S. Embassy official
confirmation email and receipt. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!
If you have been notified by Camp America that a booking has been made but you have NOT
received your official confirmation e-mail from the U.S. Embassy, you may download a copy by
right clicking on the following link below and select “open in new window”. If this option is not
available then you can use the link on the visa page of your Camp America Direct site or paste the
following into a new browser:
http://www.responserelatis.com/servlet/com.isa.balmoral.admin.process.EmbassyPortalFramework
Servlet
Link to US Embassy booking confirmations
Skip this section if you have received the email from the embassy
The page should open like this:
Click on the download icon (you will need to have
Adobe Acrobat Reader installed) and a two page
document should open that looks like this the
example below. You will need to print BOTH
pages and add them to your visa application.
Please sign here
Once you have entered your
passport number and date of birth
you should be taken to a screen like
this.
The name of the Camp America member of staff that
paid for you embassy appointment will appear here.
We would always urge you to try to attend on the appointment that
we have booked for you. However, we understand that due to exams
and long standing holiday plans it is not always possible, however
please bear in mind that appointment slots are from 8am until
2:30pm and are only available on the specific J-days.
If you are definitely unable to make your appointment, then you
should contact Camp America on 0207-590-2156 and we can discuss
with your options with regarding to changing the appointment
Please remember that you will need to visit the embassy at least two
weeks before your flight date.
DO NOT under any circumstances just ignore the appointment. The
embassy will look very negatively on applicants who are “no shows”
and may refuse a re-booking.
Okay, so now that we have covered how you will be notified of your
embassy appointment, we need to talk about your passport.
In order to be able to make a visa application you will need a valid passport.
Sounds obvious right? But but we have found it is always best to cover every
area completely! Not only do you need to have a valid passport but it needs to
be valid until November 2010 if you are a U.K. passport holder. Other passports
should be valid through April 2011.
Your passport also needs to be “good condition”. Now I know that this sounds
very subjective but the embassy will have no problem in rejecting a passport if
they feel that it does not come up to the required standard. To help you assess
the condition of your passport the following are reasons why the embassy will
reject it:
• The plastic on the photo page is curling at the edges.
• The passport has been through the wash and now has turned up corners or very faint pages.
• The cover is torn or damaged.
• There are no free pages. The visa requires that you have at least two completely clear pages and
you cannot include the last blank page as the embassy will not use this for a visa stamp.
• The passport looks like it has been tampered with in any way.
If any of the above apply then you may need to new passport. Please call the Camp America
London office to discuss your options.
So you have now received your visa pack from Camp America, you know how you will be
notified of your appointment and you have a suitable passport. Next there are couple of
additional forms that you will need to complete in order to be ready for your appointment.
You must not leave the completion of these forms until the last minute. We are always
here to help you through any problems that you may have in completing the forms or
gathering the correct additional information. However, if you call us the night before your
appointment then it is very likely that there will little we can do to help you at such a late
stage. You have been warned!
Okay let’s get started. Please keep your visa paperwork close at hand. This resource will
respond to mouse clicks and so you can go at the pace you choose. To go back a step,
simply right click and select reverse.
You should have three forms (certificate of eligibility(DS2019), I797c and courier form) in
your visa mailing along with a plastic wallet and a Camp America sticker.
The first form we will go through is the
Certificate of Eligibility which is often
referred to by its code number DS2019
Please take your Certificate of
Eligibility for Exchange Visitor
(J1) Status (DS2019) from your
envelope. This is a 2 page
document. Here is the 1st page the 2nd page is generic.
All you need to do on this form is check
that all the details are correct. Firstly
check that your personal information is
correct (i.e. the same as your passport).
Please remember that your nationality
on this form is the same as the passport
that you are using for this visa
application. If there are any mismatches
please call the office immediately.
Please note that you can enter the U.S
up to 30 days before the start date on
your DS2019 and so as long as this does
not conflict with your departure date
then you will not require a new form. If
this is not the case then please call the
office to arrange a reprint.
The $650 amount on this form bears no
relation to the rate of the pocket money
that you will receive at the end of your
assignment. Please see Camp America
Direct for you actual pocket money.
Simply sign the form, enter the place that you signed it (i.e
the city you are in when signing the form) and enter the date
using the month/day/year format
I-797c, Notice of Action
You do not need to do anything with
this other than bring it to your embassy
appointment.
The next form is one of the most important but is not included in your
pack. It is the DS156 and this needs to be completed online through
the U.S. embassy’s website. You MUST complete the electronic version
of this form and take it to the embassy. If you arrive for your
appointment with a handwritten version you will definitely be turned
away. Please note you can complete and print this form as many times
as you like. Only the copy you take to the embassy is scanned.
Unfortunately, some applicants have experienced problems completing this form. Once they have entered all the
required information and pressed ‘continue’ nothing has happened. We are sorry to say that this is not an
uncommon problem. This one website is used by every person around the world who is applying for any U.S.
visa, so you can imagine how busy it can get. To try to avoid this problem we would recommend using the
website during off peak hours, such as in the very early morning or late evening. You may also find that the
more powerful computer you use the quicker the process will take.
If after waiting a long period of time it is obvious that the form is “frozen” you will need to do it again.
So please right click on the following link and select “open in new
window”. If this option is not available then you can use the link on
the visa page of your Camp America Direct site or paste the following
into a new browser : https://evisaforms.state.gov/ds156.asp
DS156 Form
The DS156
form should
look like this
Enter your passport
number here
Under ‘Authority’ it will say either: UKPA or
IPS or the city that your passport was issued.
Select “Great Britain and
Northern Ireland” or the
country in which you
were in when your
passport was issued from
the drop down.
Select “Great Britain and
Northern Ireland” or the
country that issued your
passport to you from the
drop down.
Enter/select the
day/month/year that your
passport was issued here
Enter you last name exactly as it is written in your passport here
Enter/select the
day/month/year your
passport expires here.
Please be aware that
your passport must be
valid until at least Nov
2010 for UK passports or
April 2011 for others
Enter your first names exactly as it is written in your passport here
Enter your date of birth
from your passport
Enter your city of birth from your passport
Please select your
country of birth from
the drop down list
Enter the county/region of birth if applicable
Your nationality MUST
match the passport
that you are using for
this visa application
as entered in
questions 3 above and
also your Citizenship
Country from your
Certificate of
Eligibility.
Your current home address. This address must be in the U.K.
Your current home address (if needed). This address must be in the U.K.
Indicate
your
gender
U.K. city where you live currently
U.K. County where you live currently (if applicable)
Select Great
Britain and
Northern Ireland
Current U.K. postcode
Enter work number (if applicable) otherwise
leave blank
Enter you home phone number here
Enter you mobile number here
Enter fax number if applicable otherwise leave
blank
Indicate your
marital status
Enter their address here
Please enter you email address here
Enter your occupation e.g. Student
Please enter your assigned flight date,
or if you do not know your flight date,
put your earliest date of availability.
This must not be earlier than one
month before the start date of your
certificate of eligibility
Enter the name of you
university/employer. If
you are not currently in
education or
employment please
enter your most recent
details. This field should
not be left blank or say
unemployed.
Enter the address of
your camp. If you are
currently guaranteed a
placement please use
Camp America’s
address. You can copy
this from question 28
below.
Enter the state your camp is in or CT if guaranteed a place
Camps ZIP code or 06902-3788 if guaranteed a place
The name of your camp director or Dennis Regan if
guaranteed a place
Your camp/resorts phone number or 1 203 399 5409
if guaranteed a place
If there is a second number of your camp/resort
Please enter 4 months
Camp America
9 West Broad Street Stamford
CT 06902-3788
Enter “Camp counselling followed by sightseeing” if you
are a counsellor or “Campower followed by sightseeing”
if you are a Resort/Campower applicant
If you are a
returning Camp
America applicant
or have simply
been to the US on
vacation before
then please enter
the details here.
You do not need to
go into great detail.
For example; Aug
2006 – 2 weeks
If you have ever
been issued with a
U.S. visa before then
please enter the
details here.
Enter the name and address of your camp
here or if you not placed yet then you should
enter Camp America 9 West Broad Street
Stamford CT 06902-3788
If you feel that you
need to answer Yes
to any of these
questions then
please call the Camp
America London
office immediately.
If you feel
that you need
to answer Yes
to any of
these
questions
then please
call the Camp
America
London office
immediately.
Leave this section blank
Once you have completed all
the fields down to question
39 then all you need to do is
click on the ‘continue’
button.
Once you have
clicked on
‘continue’ a three
page document
should be produced
that looks like this.
This documents will
be appear in a new
window
Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
It is vital that the barcode on your form looks just like the version on
the right. If is it distorted in anyway like the version on the left the
embassy will not be able to accept your application.
If it is distorted then you
will need to click ‘back’
on your browser and
unfortunately complete
the form again.
If it matches the version on the right then please print
your completed form. We would advise you print two
copies and also save the PDF onto your computer if
possible. Once printed you must keep your copy perfectly
flat. Do not, under any circumstances fold your form.
Next, you need to glue (not
staple) a photograph to the form.
Sounds simple right? However, there are
a number of strict rules that apply to
photographs. You will be turned away if
they are not followed completely.
Photograph must be in colour.
It should have a white or cream
background.
It should be standard passport size
(50mm x 50mm) Please note: You do
not need a U.S. standard passport
photo.
The head and shoulders should be at
least 80% of the picture.
It must be a picture of the full face
- no side/profile shots.
Face must not be blocked by hair
in any way.
No hats (unless hair covering is for
religious purposes).
No sunglasses, stupid poses etc.
Scanned photos or larger photos cut
down with trees etc. in the background
cannot be used.
Passport photos must not be more
than 6 months old. Please don’t think
that the embassy official will not
check the picture in your
passport/previous visa applications!
The final step is to
sign and date the
form in section 41
Next is the DS158
This form this can be filled in online and needs to be printed off once
complete or you can simply print off a blank form and complete in clear
block capitals.
The form can be located by using the link below: So please right click on
the following link and select “open in new window”. If this option is not
available then you can use the link on the visa page of your Camp America
Direct site or paste the following into a new browser :
http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/79965.pdf
Link to DS158
Page 1 of DS158
Enter your last name
Enter your DOB
Enter your first name
Enter your
country of birth
Enter any middle names
Enter your town of
birth
Enter your county of birth if applicable
otherwise leave blank
Enter your full current UK home address and full telephone number
Leave these sections blank if they do not apply to you
This section must
be filled in by all
applicants
Please enter two contacts from your home country who are not family. You can
use the names and addresses of those people who supplied your references
when you first applied to the programme.
Page 2 of DS158
If you currently
have a job or
have previously
had a job please
enter details
here. Otherwise
leave blank.
Remember to use
the American
date format
Month/Day/Year
Once you have
completed and printed
the form. Please sign
here and date using
the Month/Day/Year
format
Next it is the DS157 form
The DS-157 must only be completed by males aged 16 to 45 and all applicants
who were born in, or hold a passport from North Korea, Cuba, Syria, Sudan, Iran,
Vietnam, China, Russia or Libya.
If the above does not apply to you click here to skip this section otherwise proceed
to the next section by clicking anywhere else on the page
Just like the previous DS158 form this can be filled in online and needs to be printed off
once complete or you can simply print it off and complete in clear block capitals. The
form can be located by using the link below: So please right click on the following link
and select “open in new window”. If this option is not available then you can use the link
on the visa page of your Camp America Direct site or paste the following into a new
browser: http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/79964.pdf
DS157 FORM
Enter your last name
Enter your full name in native alphabet if
applicable otherwise leave blank
Enter all your first names
Enter your clan or tribe if applicable otherwise leave blank
Enter your father’s full name
Enter your spouse’s full name if applicable otherwise leave blank
Enter your mother’s full name
Write the name and summer address and telephone number of your Camp/Resort or if you are
guaranteed a placement then please enter Camp America, 9 West Broad St, Stamford, CT 06902-3788
TEL : 203 399 5409
Enter a list of all the countries you have
visited since 2000 and the years you visited
here. Use a continuation sheet if required.
Answer fully
Simply tick yes or no
Fully complete or leave blank if this section does not apply to you.
List all organizations to which you belong attaching another
sheet of paper if necessary
X
If you need to tick yes to this question please enter details
here and use a separate sheet if required
X
If you tick yes to this question give full details here, otherwise
tick no and leave this section blank
X
If you tick yes to this question give full details, otherwise tick no
and leave blank
Complete as fully as possible with all secondary schools, colleges and
universities that you have attended
If you are placed and have all your flight details please tick ‘yes’ above and enter the details here. This information
can be obtained from your record in Camp America Direct.
If you are not placed or do not have your flight information then tick ‘no’ and enter Camp America 9 West Broad
Street Stamford CT 06902 – 3788 followed by your date of availability or provisional travel date if this is available.
The next form you need is a support
letter from Camp America
You can find your letter of support by using
the link in the email that you received or in
the visa section of your Camp America Direct
login page. All you need to do is print it and
keep with your other paperwork.
Next you need to
know how to get to
the U.S. embassy in
London.
This map is schematic - some streets
have been omitted
U.S. Embassy London
The entrance to the embassy (and
where the Camp America
representatives will be on J Days) is
on the corner of Grosvenor Square
and Upper Brook Street.
There is no parking anywhere in this
area and it is highly recommended
that you take public transportation.
The nearest tube station is Marble
Arch (Central Line).
J Day Appointments:
All electronic devices will need to be
handed to the Camp America
representative as they will not be
allowed in the building.
Normal Appointments
(Non J Days):
Please do not bring any electronic devices
as they will not be allowed in the building.
Link to tube map
The next document is one of the most important documents you will be
required to provide when applying for the J-1 visa.
It is documentary evidence/proof of return
(a visa application may be refused without it)
We have provided a letter of support from Camp America confirming the nature and structure of
our programme which you will submit with your application.
In addition you are required to submit one of the following:
•Letter from school, college or university confirming the start of a course or continuation of study.
This letter should include term dates, which do not clash with the dates that you are going to be in
the U.S.
•Letter from employer or agency offering you a position after the summer
If you are completely certain that you are not able to provide one of the above then these are possible
alternatives:
•Letter of support from your parents, this should confirm what you intended to do when you return
home and also refer to family ties etc. along with any combination of the following:
•Bank statements / wage slips
•Evidence of ownership of residence or property
•Letter from landlord explaining rental agreement for after the summer
•Lawyer or accountants statement - if self employed
If, AFTER ALL EFFORTS you are unable to obtain any of the above, AS A LAST RESORT, please
provide a hand-written letter explaining the reasons why you must return to your country of
residence after the summer.
In addtion to the Certificate of eligibility (DS2019) and your I797c Notice of
Action form, you should also have received the following in your mailing:
• A clear plastic wallet to take all your paperwork to the embassy in.
• A Camp America contact details/insurance
information card.
• A Camp America sticker. This should be stuck to
the back of your passport before coming along to
your appointment.
• The final form is the courier address form. Enter the address that you wish
your passport to be returned to. Please complete before coming along to your
appointment and hand into a member of the Camp America staff inside the
embassy AFTER your interview. Please be aware that the courier service will
require a signature when they deliver, so bear this in mind when choosing the
address.
So let’s have a quick recap now that you have completed all forms and get
them into the order that you will need to present them to the embassy in.
You should now place the following forms into your clear plastic wallet.
• Your passport at the front
• The embassy’s email confirmation of your appointment
• A printout of the attachment that came with your appointment email. This is a receipt of
the payment that Camp America made for your visa interview. Make sure you have made
your embassy payment through Camp America Direct.
• Non-immigrant Visa Application (DS156) - This is the form that you filled in online
and has the barcode on the 3rd page with portrait photo attached.
• Supplemental Non-immigrant Visa Application (DS157) – (Males only) either
filled in online printed and signed or printed and completed by hand.
• Contact Information and Work History for Non-immigrant Visa (DS-158) either filled in
online, printed and signed or printed and then completed by hand.
• Certificate of Eligibility for J-1 visa (DS2019) signed and dated.
• I-797c, Notice of action
• Support letter from Camp America
• Documentary evidence/proof of return
• Courier sheet. This is the sheet where you have told us the address you wish your
passport to be sent to.
Good luck with your interview!
Please understand that this is nothing that you need to worry about. So long as you
have your paperwork correctly completed and you arrive in good time (we
recommend that you arrive at least 30 mins prior to your allotted time) then you
should be able to move through the process very smoothly.
Camp America will have staff (wearing branded t-shirts) both inside and outside the
embassy on the day to assist you. We ask that you check in with the outside team who
will set up close to the entrance of the embassy so that they can give your paperwork a
final check over.
Please do not bring any electrical equipment to your appointment as security at the embassy
is understandably very tight and these items are not allowed inside. Under exceptional
circumstances the Camp America staff outside the embassy will collect and hold onto items for
you. Please understand that you do this at your own risk and Camp America will not be held
responsible for any damage or losses incurred whilst in our care.
For the same reason please do not wear any excessive jewellery to your embassy
appointment as this only slows down the security process as you will be asked to take it
all off to pass through the screening process.
Your parents or friends will not be allowed into the embassy with you. So we would
suggest that you say your goodbyes before approaching the building. This will help the
embassy staff deal with the large crowds that can gather. Your help is appreciated.
HOW NOT TO HAVE A BAD DAY AT THE US EMBASSY IN LONDON
Arrive on time. Travel plans should always allow delays no matter how you plan on
getting there.
There is no parking in the area directly around the embassy. We suggest you take
public transportation.
Take extra cash – You may need a taxi if you are running late.
TAKE ALL FORMS AND DOCUMENTS AS INSTRUCTED.
Remember you are submitting an official overseas work visa application. Please
keep all of your paperwork in pristine condition. If anything is not correctly
completed you run the risk of not being able to complete your visa interview and
having to attend on another J day (subject to availability).
Following your appointment
After your appointment please log onto Camp America Direct to confirm the outcome of your
interview and once you have received your passport via the courier company please log again to
confirm delivery. This will be a great help and will save us having to call you to confirm that you have
your visa etc.
Passport Return
Please remember that the Embassy will collect and hold your passport while they deal with your visa. After
London appointments passports can take up to 2 weeks before you have them back in your hands. The
Embassy will NOT make special arrangements for people who need their passport for a holiday.
If the courier company is unable to
deliver your passport they will leave a
card. To arrange a redelivery you can
either contact them by phone or
internet.
Please note that once you have been issued with a J-1 visa you cannot enter the US until 30
days prior to the start of your Camp America flight. This includes holidays.
Northern Irish applicants – Your nationality stated on your DS2019 form must match the
passport used to apply for the visa. If you are applying on an Irish passport your nationality
must be Irish and not UK. If you are applying on a UK passport your nationality must be UK
and not Irish. If the nationality is incorrect please call Camp America at 020 7590 2156