May 16th, 2009Visa Requirements for Foreign Students
What are the types of visa available for studying in the US as an international student?
1. F-1, or Student Visa: This visa is the most common for those who wish to engage in academic studies in the United States. It is for people who want to study at an accredited U.S. college or university or to study English at a university or intensive English language institute.
2. J-1, or Exchange Visitor: This visa is for people who will be participating in an exchange visitor program in the U.S. The “J” visa is for educational and cultural exchange programs.
3.M-1, or Student Visa: This visa is for those who will be engaged in non-academic or vocational study or training at an institution in the U.S.
Most non-U.S. citizens who wish to study in the United States will seek an F-1 (non-immigrant) student visa.
How do I apply for a student visa?
Apply Early!
It is best to apply early for the student visa to make sure that there is sufficient time for visa processing. You will need to request and receive the appropriate visa-qualifying document from the U.S. institution or program sponsor well in advance of your planned departure to the United States. You will also need to make an appointment for your visa interview. Please consult the U.S. Embassy or Consulate nearest you to find out how long it may take to get an appointment
Getting a SEVIS document
In order to apply for a visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate, you must first have a SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System)-generated document (either an I-20 or DS-2019) issued by a U.S. college or university or Department of State-designated sponsor organization.
You will be required to submit the I-20 or DS-2019 form when you apply for a visa.
The U.S. academic institution or program sponsor will provide you with the appropriate SEVIS-generated form only when you have been academically admitted to the institution or accepted as a participant in an exchange program.
Once you have all the required documentation, you may apply for the visa, even if you do not intend to begin your program of study for several months.
Paying the fee
Among the things you’ll need to do is pay the SEVIS fee, pay the visa processing fee (the procedure will differ from one U.S. Embassy/Consulate to another, so visit the website of the U.S. Embassy, and make an appointment for the visa interview (again, procedures will differ, so visit the website of the U.S. Embassy).
Documents you need for the interview
You should also make sure you have all the documentation you will need when you go for the interview, including:
4. Visa-qualifying document (I-20 or DS-2019)
5.Financial support documents
6.Proof of payment of the SEVIS and visa fees
7.A completed visa application form
How long will it take?
If a visa application is approved, you generally need to wait about four to five weeks to obtain a visa from a consulate or embassy. Educational advisors recommend that students apply during the early part of summer (May, June, July) in order to arrive at their U.S. academic destination in time for the fall semester, which typically begins in August. If you want or need to apply for a visa during the late fall or early winter (November, December), please allow at least one month for your request to be processed.
Additional Information
There are two additional bits of information that are useful to know.
The U.S. Embassy/Consulate cannot issue an F-1 or M-1 visa more than 120 days before the actual start of the program in the United States. (J-1 visas may be issued at any time.) However, visa applicants are encouraged to apply for their visa as soon as they are prepared to do so. Thus, if the college or university to which you have been admitted states on the I-20 that the program will start on September 1, a visa cannot be issued before May 1.
Even if you have been issued a visa to enter the United States, you will not be allowed to enter the country more than 30 days before the start of your program, if you are an initial entry student. Returning students do not have this requirement. Using the earlier example, if the program of study starts on September 1, you will not be permitted to enter the United States until August 1 or later.
