Puerto Rico Visa Information

Who requires a visa?

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

Greek citizens will be able to travel to the US without a visa starting April 5, 2010
Currently, 35 countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program, as shown below:

Visa Waiver Program - Participating Countries:

Europe

Andorra
Austria
Belgium
Czech Republic
Denmark, including Greenland and Faroe Islands
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Monaco
Netherlands including Aruba and Netherlands Antilles
Norway
Portugal
San Marino
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom (full British citizens only)

Asia

Brunei
Japan
South Korea
Singapore

Oceania

Australia
New Zealand

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);

All travelers must have individual passports. It is not acceptable (for the visa waiver scheme) for children to be included on a parent's passport. Passport requirements (for citizens of VWP pre-2008 members only) depend on the date the passport was issued or renewed: Passports issued or renewed before 26 October 2005 must be machine readable. Passports issued or renewed after 26 October 2005 must be machine readable and contain a digitized photograph, or must be biometric passports. Passports issued or renewed after 26 October 2006 must be biometric (citizens of VWP post-2008 members must present a biometric passport).

What documents will be required?

Enforced compliance of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) requirement for VWP travelers is in place. Therefore, VWP travelers who have not obtained approval through ESTA should expect to be denied boarding on any air carrier bound for the United States.

A valid ESTA approval is required for all Visa Waiver Program (VWP) to travel to the United States. The Department of Homeland Security, Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is a free, automated system used to determine the eligibility of visitors to travel to the United States under the VWP. It collects the same information as the paper I-94W form that VWP travelers fill out en route to the United States. ESTA applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel. An ESTA authorization generally will be valid for up to two years. Authorizations will be valid for multiple entries into the United States. DHS recommends that travelers submit an ESTA application as soon as they begin making travel plans.

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.

Embassy contact information:
Please contact the nearest Embassy of Puerto Rico for information on what documentation you may require to enter Puerto Rico.

List of countries having Embassies and Consulates in the Puerto Rico