How to Apply

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  1. How to Apply
  2. Case Status
  3. After the Interview

Student Visa (F-1/M-1)

Before you can apply at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate for an F or M student visa, you must first apply to and be accepted by a SEVP approved school. Visit the Department of Homeland Security Study in the States school search page to search for SEVP-certified schools.

When you are accepted by the U.S. school you plan to attend, you will be enrolled in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). You must pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee. The U.S. school will provide you with a Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1/M-1) Student Status-For Academic and Language Students (Form I-20) to present to the consular officer when you attend your visa interview. If your spouse and/or children intend to reside with you in the United States while you study, they must obtain individual Form I-20s, but they do not pay the SEVIS fee. Visit the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) website to learn more about SEVIS and the SEVIS I-901 Fee.

Exchange Visitor Visa (J-1)

Before you can apply at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate for a J-1 visa, you must first apply for and be accepted into an exchange visitor program through a designated sponsoring organization. Visit the Department of State J-1 Visa Exchange Visitor Program website to learn about program requirements, regulations, and more.

When you are accepted into the exchange visitor program you plan to participate in, you will be enrolled in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Most J-1 Exchange Visitors must pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee. Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status, Form DS-2019.  After your program sponsor enters your information in the SEVIS system, a SEVIS-generated Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status (Form DS-2019) is provided to you. All exchange visitors, including their spouses and minor children, must be registered in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Each person receives a separate Form DS-2019. Visit the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) website to learn more about SEVIS and the SEVIS I-901 Fee.

In addition to the Form DS 2019, participants in the J-1 Trainee and Intern categories require Form DS-7002 (based on Box 7 on Form DS-2019). Learn more about the Trainee and Intern programs.

The following steps are required to apply for a student visa:

Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States, unless exempt by country-specific agreements. If more than one person is included in your passport, each person who needs a visa must submit a separate application.

Completed Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 and bring confirmation page only.  Please note that you must answer EVERY question on the application forms. If the answer to a question is “none,” please write “none” (Do not leave it blank). Incomplete/incorrect forms will be returned and will require you to schedule a new interview appointment.

Important! If you travel as a family (or group), each applicant, including children, needs a separate DS-160 application and pay a separate application fee. If your child is under 14 years old, you do not have to schedule an appointment.

  • Student (F-1/M-1) visa applicants should also bring their Form I-20.
  • Exchange Visitor (J-1) visa applicants should also bring Form DS-2019

The following additional Documents might be requested from student visa applicants:

  • Additional documents to establish if you are qualified. For example, additional requested documents may include evidence of your academic preparation, such as: transcripts, diplomas, degrees, or certificates from schools you attended;
  • Standardized test scores required by your U.S. school.
  • Your intent to depart the United States upon completion of the course of study;
  • How you will pay all educational, living and travel costs.

The following additional documents might be requested from exchange visitor visa applicants:

  • Documents to establish if you are qualified. For example: the purpose of your trip;
  • Your intent to depart the United States after your trip; and/or
  • Your ability to pay all costs of the trip.

Non-immigrant visa (NIV) interview appointments are scheduled through online system:

https://evisaforms.state.gov/Instructions/SchedulingSystem.asp

Please have your DS-160 Confirmation barcode number handy.

New Students – F-1 and M-1 student visas can be issued up to 120 days in advance of your course of study start date. However, you will not be allowed to enter the United States in F-1 or M-1 status earlier than 30 days before your start date.

Returning students – may renew their visas at any time if they have maintained student status and their SEVIS records are current. Continuing students may enter the United States at any time before their classes start.

Exchange Visitors – Exchange visitors beginning new programs may not enter the United States more than 30 days before their program start date.

If you have an unforeseen travel need as per one of the criteria listed below, you may qualify for an expedited appointment at the U.S. Embassy depending on appointment availability.

Submit your documents listed above and pay non-refundable application fee:

F, M, J visa application fee – $185.00 (for all non-petition based non-immigrant visas) All visa related fees are paid in cash in U.S. Dollars. Please bring exact amount.

Note: U.S. government sponsored exchange visitor (J visa) applicants and their dependents are not required to pay application processing fees if participating in a Department of State, a U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), or a Federally funded educational and cultural exchange program which has a program serial number beginning with G-1, G-2, G-3, or G-7 printed on Form DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status. U.S. government sponsored exchange visitor (J visa) applicants and their dependents are also not required to pay applicable issuance fees.

Ink-free, digital fingerprint scans will be taken as part of your application process. They are usually taken during document intake and additionally verified by consular officer during your interview.

During your visa interview, a consular officer will determine whether you are qualified to receive a visa, and if so, which visa category is appropriate based on your purpose of travel. You will need to establish that you meet the requirements under U.S. law to receive the category of visa for which you are applying.

Ink-free, digital fingerprint scans will be taken as part of your application process. They are usually taken during your interview.

If your visa is approved, you may also pay a visa issuance fee, depending on the type of visa issued. If you are issued F, J, M visa valid for 3 months multiple entry, there is no additional fee. For longer validity visas, you will need to pay the following additional fees:

Number of Entries Length of Validity Issuance Fee
Multiple Entries Three months No Additional Fee
Multiple Entries Six Months $90.00
Multiple Entries Twelve Months $330.00

If your visa is issued, it will take 3-5 working days to process. Consular officer will inform you about pick up date and time at the end of your visa interview. Please make sure that you bring pictured ID with you (Internal passport, driver’s license etc.) and be on time.

 

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