STUDENTS AND EXCHANGE VISITOR VISAS

New regulations mandate that all applicants renewing/applying for U.S. visas appear for interviews.  F1, M1 and J1 Visa applicants who need to travel to the United States, including those who need to get expedited appointments to start their program on time in the U.S., should contact the embassy at NIV Appointment Request to request an appointment. The email message should include:

• Your full name
  
• Your passport type & nationality
  
• Your telephone number
  
• Your intended date of travel
  
• The reason for asking an expedited appointment
  
• The date the school starts (F1/M1), or the event (i.e. cultural event) starts (J1).
  
• The name and address of the school (F1/M1), or name and address of inviting organization (J1)
  

Please note that the Department of State is committed to facilitate timely admission of legitimate students and exchange visitors into the United States. In line with this policy, our consular section will do all possible to arrange expedited interview appointment and visa processing time for legitimate applicants, who will receive a reply by return email within 1 business day.

STUDENT VISA

I. EVIDENCE OF ACCEPTANCE BY THE SCHOOL
The first step in applying for a student visa is to be accepted at a U.S. academic institution, and obtain from the school a Certificate of Eligibility for Non-Immigrant Student Status (I-20 form).  Additionally, many graduate students and educational exchange visitors will need a DS-2019 Form.  These forms are issued by the institution, school or university, and show that you have been accepted for study there.  These forms are obtained by the student directly from the sponsoring academic institution and should not be sent to the Embassy.

Sponsoring academic institutions are required to enter accepted foreign students’ names into SEVIS, the Student and Exchange Visitors Information System.  No student or exchange visitor visas may be issued until the sponsoring institution has entered the student’s name into the database, and it is confirmed by the Embassy.  Students should verify with their sponsoring academic institutions that they are entered into SEVIS before they apply for a visa.

Students are required to pay the SEVIS fee online before the visa may be issued.  Please visit I-901 Fees Payment for information on fees payment.

Note on Flight Training – Most students who wish to attend flight training in the U.S. must obtain a security clearance through their flight schools before a visa may be considered.  Please contact your flight school for detailed information on this process.

II. HOW TO APPLY
To apply for a student visa, each applicant needs to schedule an appointment for an interview in advance, by email, at NIV Appointment Request.  At the time of the interview, each applicant MUST bring the following to the Embassy:

• A passport valid for travel to the United States (At least 6 months beyond the applicant’s intended period of stay in the Unites States).
• Fully completed and signed visa application forms (DS-156 & DS-157).
• A fully completed and signed DS-158 Form.
• I-20 Form for student (F/M) visa applicants and a SEVIS generated DS-2019 Form for educational exchange visitor (J) visa applicants.
• Proof of payment of SEVIS fee.
• Two photographs (click here for important details on photo requirements)
• Prior passports, if any.
• Proof of financial ability.
• Original marriage certificate (for spouse) and/or birth certificate (for child) – F2/M2/J2 visa for accompanying immediate family member(s).
• Complete and updated CV and list of publications.
• Transcripts from your high school for F1 and M1 applicants.
• Transcripts from post-high school education for graduate-level applicants and applicants planning scientific and technology-oriented visits.
• Original attestation from employer if studies are financed by your employer.
• Any other documents that may be in support to the application.

Note on financial support – Foreign students are not normally permitted to work while in the United States.  Sufficient funds must therefore be available for transfer to the student in the U.S.  You must present documentary evidence of sufficient funds for the entire period of study in the U.S.

For additional information on international student services please visit www.ice.gov/sevis.

EXCHANGE VISITOR VISA
The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) provides the exchange visitor (J) nonimmigrant visa category for persons who are approved to participate in exchange visitor programs in the United States.  This means that before you can apply at an American Embassy or Consulate for a J visa, you must apply for, meet the requirements of, and be accepted for one of the Exchange Visitor Program categories through a designated sponsoring organization in the United States.  If you are accepted as a participant in an exchange program, the sponsor will provide you with information and documents necessary to apply for the J visa to enter the United States.