Contest of Applicants
Seminar applicants selection is made by the USFITF or by a donor.
The donor chooses the seminar participants just in case if the donor want to financially support the trip of a specific group. The donor determines the composition of the group in this case. The minimum group size is in this case is 10 people and the dates of the seminar are negotiated with the donor in each case separately.
Participants selected by name, included in the regular group, do not pass the competition. But at the same time, a request for their visa at the consulate is submitted in a separate list of compatible groups, and the USFITF does not appear as their guarantor before the State Department.
The USFITF announces a competition among applicants for a place in the seminar group 6 months before it starts on the main page of the site in the “Selection of Participants” section, and only if the USFITF has accumulated enough funds for the seminar.
Simultaneously, the USFITF sends letters of open vacancy to schools and colleges for any particular seminar. Applications for participation are accepted on the “Application” page of the USFITF website. Applicant documents are processed by USFITF staff in the US and/or by an authorized organization in the applicant’s country.
The selection of participants:
The selection is carried out by an authorized educational institution according to the principles established by the USFITF:
- Teachers and University professors:
Age: 30- 60.
Length of service: At least 8 years.
Teaching plan: At least 20 academic hours per week.
- Students:
Age: 21-35.
Course: Full-time 3rd grade or higher.
- Disabled:
Age: 21-50.
Disability status: Chronic, with the person having been disabled for at least 5 years.
Income: Not more than $1000.00 per month per family.
Minimum requirements: The disabled individuals must have the ability to see and hear seminar instructors.
Documents that will be required for the competition:
- Passport.
- Graduation diploma or proof of enrollment.
- A document from the place of work with the address and telephone.
- Teaching plans for the previous 2 months and the next 2 months.
- Results of university tests for the current year.
- Disabled person certificate (for disabled beneficiaries).
- Doctor’s opinion (for disabled beneficiaries).
- Income statement for the previous year (for disabled beneficiaries).
The winners of the contest will have to familiarize themselves with the rules of the Seminar and pass an interview conducted by USFITF officers. Applicants who successfully complete the interview will be required to sign a commitment to comply with the rules of staying in the United States and attend the Seminar. Among other things, the document mentions liability for violation of US immigration rules.
The services of the organization conducting the selection are paid by the USFITF on the basis of a fixed amount for each selected seminar participant. As a payment for services, this organization receives the right to fill 10% of the seminar slots with people who do not meet the above criteria. Moreover, they can do this both for free or for financial compensation that they may receive from applicants in any amount as a sponsorship of a project. The organization does not have the right to take money from the remaining 90% of applicants.
Travel documents, visa applications and vouchers will be issued by a contracted authorized travel company. The travel company pays for the services of the USFITF based on a fixed amount per seminar participant. Seminar participants pay the consular fee on their own. Persons who have received the right to participate in seminars are provided with all the documents required by the host to obtain a visa to the United States. Participants must prepare their documents for submission to the US Consulate, in which they can help an authorized travel company.
The USFITF undertakes the work of appointing interviews at consulate and providing them with the necessary documents. UFFITF does not guarantee that applicants will receive a US visa. After obtaining a visa, the seminar participants are provided with airline tickets, lodging vouchers and all necessary instructions.
In the event that a participant violates the rules described on the Responsibility page and in the application, the USFITF will inform interested US agencies, including Homeland Security, FBI, the State Department and appropriate consulates.