Once you are admitted to a college or university in the United States, your school will send you a SEVIS I-20 or SEVIS DS-2019. The first thing you should do is make an appointment with the consulate for a U.S. student visa by going to the consulate's Web site and following the instructions for making the appointment.

Before going to the interview appointment, you should pay two fees: the student visa application fee, which is paid at a local bank where you will receive a receipt, and the SEVIS fee, which is paid online (see www.fmjfee.com—this is the fastest way to get a receipt but requires a credit card). You may pay by check or money order drawn on a U.S. bank and payable in U.S. dollars or by Western Union.

When should I apply for a student visa?
Because a personal interview will be required of most U.S. student visa applicants, you should learn about the process at the particular post where you'll apply and make an appointment in advance. The appointment date should be at a time when you will have all your documents in hand. Security measures are in place, so the earlier you go the better. You want to ensure you'll have the visa before the semester of your study tour in the United States.

What should I do if my U.S. student visa application is denied?
Some visa applicants may be able to overcome a visa application denial. The U.S. Department of State has useful information on its Web site regarding student visa denials.