Visa Form

Aloha!

We'll ask you a few short questions to outline your visa options and to request documentation from us.

Consent & Disclaimer*

This form is designed solely to provide the Visa Desk at YWAM Kona (University of the Nations, Kona) with information to assist in providing you with documentation for entry to the United States for a short-term missionary training program, seminar/conference, or volunteer position.

Any documentation you receive as a result of this form, does not guarantee entry into the United States, nor does it constitute an application to a YWAM Kona, or University of the Nations, Kona program, school or volunteer position.

This form should not be considered legal advice. If you wish to obtain legal advice, please consult with a licensed attorney.

I agree

What is the purpose of your visit?*

Student - YWAM Kona DTS

Student - U of N, Kona (Upper Level School)

Volunteer - Kokua Crew

Volunteer - Mission Builder

Staff - General / Ministry / Other

Staff - School or Leadership Track

Other - Conference or Event Attendee

Sorry, this form is not for U of N, Kona students. Please email [email protected] for information on obtaining your Form I-20 to become an F-1 student.

Role & Duties

Briefly describe your proposed role, or duties (if known) for your period of voluntary service. This will help us ensure we are sending you the correct visa paperwork.

Missionary Service or Event Dates

We will need the start and end date (if known) of your voluntary service, or event with YWAM Kona. These dates may be different than your travel dates.

Start Date*

End Date (if known)

If unknown, please provide an estimated date.

Citizenship/Nationality:*

Which passport are you using to enter the United States?

City of Birth*

Country of Birth

Optional. Only applicable if different than your current citizenship or nationality.

Please be aware that citizens of the United States are required by law to enter the U.S. on their U.S. passport. Please contact us if you have further questions.

Here are the options we think may work for you:

Visa Waiver Program / ESTA
Utilizing the Visa Waiver Program is one of the easier ways to enter the United States. This involves a simple, online application, through a system known as the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, or ESTA.

Here are some key points:
  - Your trip to the U.S. must be 90 days or less
  - You MUST have a round-trip, or onward ticket out of the U.S. within 90 days
  - Valid for multiple entries, usually within a 2 year period (90 days per visit).
  - More Info: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/

B-1 (Business) Visa
A B-1 visa has specific provisions for short-term missionary training, missionary work and participating in a voluntary service program.

Here are some key points:
  - Permits up to 6-months per trip with a 1-year allowance for certain long-term missionary staff
  - A round-trip or onward ticket isn’t required (but is recommended)
  - Requires an interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate (if you do not already have a visa)
  - $160.00 interview fee

Student Visa or Other Visa Options?
The DTS is not considered a formal school by immigration standards, nor does it meet the requirements of a student visa (e.g. F-1 or M-1). As such, this short-term missionary training program can be attended using the option(s) listed above. It cannot be taken using a student visa such as an F-1. If you are on a valid dependent visa (e.g. H-4), please let us know.

B-1 (Business) Status
As a citizen of Canada, you are considered visa-exempt and do not need to obtain a visa in advance for the purposes of short-term missionary training, missionary work or participating in a voluntary service program. However, you do need to present an Invitation Letter from us to U.S. Customs & Border Protection officials when entering the United States to request B-1 status.

Please proceed to request documentation.

COVID-19 Update
All foreign nationals entering the United States must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Unvaccinated, or partially vaccinated foreign nationals are not permitted to enter the United States. Click here for more information.

I would like documentation for:*

Visa Waiver Program / ESTA

B-1 Visa

I am undecided, I have further questions

I would like documentation for:*

B-1

I am undecided, I have further questions

Do you have a valid B-1, or B-1/B-2 visa?

Yes

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many U.S. Embassies and Consulates are operating on limited capacity. Many may have wait times in excess of 3 months. Please be sure to check the status of your local Consulate.

Important: For those attending a Discipleship Training School your flight for the "Outreach Phase" portion of DTS will likely not yet be booked before you arrive for "Lecture Phase". As such, you will NOT have a guaranteed onward ticket within the 90 day period, even though you intend on departing within 90 days. Simply having intent to depart is NOT sufficient, and many airlines will not let you board your flight to the U.S. without a flight confirmation. To satisfy this requirement many DTS participants wishing to use the Visa Waiver Program often book a return/onward flight that leaves within 90 days, and then change it to the desired post-outreach date once they arrive in the U.S. Others book a fully refundable ticket, that departs within 90 days. Check with your airline and ask about tickets that are fully refundable.

Please note that U of N, Kona strongly encourages the B-1 visa for those in a staff capacity.

Those in staff roles are asked to commit to a serve a minimum of 6-month to facilitate necessary staff training and team building.

Please only continue with ESTA if you have received department approval.

Further Questions

Let us know any further questions you may have:

Personal Information

Name (As on your passport)*

Street Address

Please use the street address you have on file for me

Permanent Address*

This is your permanent address in your home country. This must be a street address, not a PO Box.

Street Address Apt / Box City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

Email Address*

Are you traveling alone?*

Yes, I am traveling alone

No, I am traveling with family

Family Members (optional)

List any family members traveling with you, that you wish to be included in your visa paperwork. If you have already included this in your application, we will pull the information from it.

Full Name

Date of Birth

Any additional information? (optional)

If you have any other information to provide, relevant to your request, let us know.

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University of the Nations, Kona, Inc. admits students of any race, color, national, and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the university. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other university-administered programs.

Visa Request Form