Special US Visas - What We Handle and What You Bring

Beyond the simple B1/B2 tourist visa, there's a whole category of US visas requiring a two-step process. First, a US-side organization files a petition with US authorities and receives approval - and only then can you approach the embassy in Israel to receive the final visa. Here's how each category works - and what our role is versus what you need to bring.

F-1 student visa

Visa for full-time studies in the US. The US academic institution ⁦(university, college or approved private school)⁩ issues Form I-20 through the SEVIS system after acceptance. You receive this form physically or digitally from the institution. Before the embassy interview you must also pay the $350 SEVIS fee at fmjfee.com. The consular visa fee is $185.

R-1 religious visa

Visa for religious appointment in the US - a community rabbi, teacher, or emissary of a religious organization. The US religious organization ⁦(not you)⁩ files a petition with USCIS using Form I-129. The process includes USCIS review of the organization and may include a physical site visit to the US premises. After approval ⁦(Form I-797)⁩, you receive the copy and come to the embassy. Fee: $205. Initial validity: up to 30 months, extendable to a 5-year maximum.

L / O / J work visas

• L-1 - intracompany transfer ⁦(manager, specialist)⁩. US employer files I-129. Fee: $205
• O-1 - extraordinary ability ⁦(artists, scientists, athletes, prominent business figures)⁩. Requires a peer/group consultation letter. Fee: $205
• J-1 - exchange ⁦(researchers, teachers, students in special programs)⁩. Doesn't require I-129 - requires Form DS-2019 from the program sponsor. SEVIS fee: $220, visa fee: $185

What we handle - and what we don't

We handle everything embassy-side in Israel: DS-160 filing, appointment booking, file preparation, interview support, and the final visa stamp in the passport. We do NOT file the I-129 or I-20 - those are handled by your US immigration attorney or the US institution/employer in the US before you reach us.

Correct order of operations

• Institution/employer/organization in the US files the petition with USCIS ⁦(Form I-129, I-20, or DS-2019)⁩
• Approval is received ⁦(Form I-797 or equivalent)⁩
• You pay the SEVIS fee ⁦(if applicable)⁩
• We fill out DS-160 and pay the visa fee
• We book the embassy appointment
• Embassy interview - conducted by you, with our support
• Visa stamp in the passport within a few days

Common mistakes

Arriving at the embassy without prior approval - application denied. Choosing the wrong visa type - also denied ⁦(for example, leaving to work in the US for years under B1/B2 instead of L/O won't fly)⁩. Being late to the interview due to a form issue - a lost work day and valuable time. We review all documents before filing, and all of this is avoided.

How to start

Tell us the visa type and the status of your prior approval ⁦(do you have an I-20? a signed I-797? still waiting?)⁩, and we'll explain exactly the next steps, the costs, and a realistic timeline.