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International Participants

  • English Proficiency and Correspondence

    • All written correspondence must be in English. If you are concerned about a potential language barrier, please feel free to contact contact@usquintessence.com. During the program, all instruction, rehearsals, and classes are conducted in English. Students need to have certain level of proficiency in English in order to fully participate in the program.

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  • Payment of Fees

    • All fees are payable in U.S. funds drawn on a U.S. correspondent bank. Domestic and International Money Orders, checks drawn on U.S. banks, or credit cards (Visa, Discover, Mastercard, or American Express) are accepted. Accepted students are responsible for paying all visa-related fees and travel expenses.

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  • Visa Info​​​

    • Please click here and enter your visa center location to check the current status of visa appointment wait times.

    • You may be eligible to travel without a visa. The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is an automated system that determines the eligibility of visitors to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program.

    • EVUS is the online system used by nationals of China holding a 10-year B1 or B2 (visitor) visa periodically to update basic biographic information to facilitate their travel to the United States. In addition to a valid visa, such travelers will be required to complete an EVUS enrollment to be admitted into the United States.

      • In accordance with the agreement signed between the United States and China to extend visa validity, beginning on November 29, 2016, Chinese citizens with 10-year B1, B2 or B1/B2 visas in Peoples’ Republic of China passports will be required to update their biographical and other information from their visa application via a website every two years, or upon getting a new passport or B1, B2, or B1/B2 visa, whichever occurs first. This mechanism is called EVUS - Electronic Visa Update System.

      • The EVUS website is now open to the public for enrollments at www.EVUS.gov. CBP will not collect a fee for EVUS enrollment at this time. CBP anticipates the eventual implementation of an EVUS enrollment fee, but does not have a time frame. Until the implementation of a fee, travelers can enroll in EVUS without charge. The Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will keep visa holders informed of new information throughout the year. For further information, please visit www.cbp.gov/EVUS.‎

    • If you are not eligible to travel without a visa, you will need to apply for a visa. Accepted participants are able to attend the program under a B-2 tourism visa. For documentation and verification of this program status, please contact us and we will provide you with a letter explaining our classification as a “festival” as opposed to a “school” (you may need this letter for your visa application). It is important to establish that you are here for a temporary stay and show evidence that you will return to your home country. You should have no trouble if you bring the following documents with you:

      • Program Status letter (mentioned above – please contact us to receive a copy of this letter).

      • A copy of your acceptance letter.

      • A copy of your Participation Agreement forms and final invoice.

      • Evidence of continuing ties to your home country. This may include school records that indicate your status as a continuing student, a letter from an employer, or a letter from your parents indicating that they expect you to return at a particular time or for a specific purpose.

      • Evidence of overseas residence – school correspondence, rental agreement, canceled mail with your current address on it.

      • Evidence of sufficient funds and/or financial support to travel to and remain temporarily in the U.S. – bank records or a letter from your school or family that states their support for your trip.

      • A round-trip ticket.​​

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