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Obtaining your U.S. student visa doesn’t have to be a complicated process! If you start early, do your research, and work together with your new school and your country’s U.S. Consulate, then you’ll be well prepared to handle the U.S. student visa application process.
You’re probably wondering, “What do I do first to get a student visa in the USA?” Below we’ve outlined for you basic steps and helpful links to additional information about how to obtain a U.S. immigration student visa:
- Apply to U.S. Schools:
To get a student visa in the USA, you first must get accepted into a local college or university. Visit our homepage for additional help—USA Education Guides is your source for detailed profiles and application information about all U.S. schools!
- Obtain SEVIS Forms from your U.S. School:
Once you have been accepted, then your school will send you a send you a SEVIS I-20 or SEVIS DS-2019 U.S. immigration student visa form.
- Contact your Local U.S. Consulate:
To apply for a student visa in the USA, you will also need to contact your local U.S. consulate to make an interview appointment. To locate your consulate’s address and contact information, please visit your consulate’s Web site.
- Assemble Required Documents:
Before you go to your consulate appointment, be sure that you have gathered all of the required documents for your U.S. student visa. Be sure to obtain and complete all of these documents ahead of time!
- Pay U.S. Student Visa Fees:
Before you arrive at your appointment, you’ll also want to make sure that you have paid all of your U.S. student visa fees. These include the actual U.S. immigration student visa application fees as well as the SEVIS fee.
Go to a local bank to pay the U.S. student visa application fee—be sure to get a receipt as well, since you must present this as proof of payment when you apply for your U.S. student visa. To pay your SEVIS fee, go to www.fmjfee.com, where you can pay online via credit card, money order, or bank check.
- Plan Ahead!
The earlier you start your U.S. student visa application process, the better. You’ll want to have your visa approved well before you start your first semester. Communicate with your local U.S. consulate and that ensure all documents are well in hand before your U.S. student visa interview appointment.
What Documents Do I Need to Apply for My U.S. Student Visa?
Once you have made an appointment with your local U.S. consulate, you’ll want to assemble the following documents ahead of time to present at your interview:
- SEVIS I-20 or SEVIS DS-2019
Run by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) is a Web-based technology program that tracks student exchange visitors and their partner schools. To apply for a U.S. student immigration visa, you will need the appropriate SEVIS form.
Your U.S. school will provide you with the appropriate U.S. student visa form. Form I-20 is for a Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status and is created by schools that are SEVP approved. Form DS-2019 is a Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status, and is for schools participating in the DOS-approved visitor program.
- U.S. Student Visa Application Form DS-156
This U.S. student visa form can be conveniently filled out online if you visit the U.S. Department of State’s Electronic Visa Application Forms page.
- Contact Information and Work History Form DS-0158M
This is the contact information and work history form for non-immigrant visa applications. The DS-0158M form can be downloaded from the U.S. Department of State’s Web site.
- DS-0157 Form (Males ages 16 to 45 only)
Also available from the U.S. Department of State, the DS-0157 form is a supplemental non-immigrant U.S. student visa application form must be completed by all males between the ages of 16 and 45.
- Passport
You will also need a current, valid passport that will cover at least the first six months of your stay in the USA.
- Approved-Format Photograph
The photo accompanying your U.S. student visa application has to be in an appropriate format. You can find more information about non-immigrant visa photograph requirements at the U.S. Department of State’s Web site, with details about acceptable head coverings, side angle views, and more.
- Payment Receipt for your U.S. Student Visa Fee
You will also need to present a payment receipt to prove that your U.S. immigration student visa processing fee has been paid in full. Be sure to obtain this receipt when you pay your fees at your local bank.
- Payment Receipt for Your SEVIS Fees
You will likewise need to present a payment receipt to confirm that payment has been received for your SEVIS processing fees.
- Financial Documentation
To apply for your U.S. student visa, you’ll also need supporting financial documentation. Please refer to your I-20 or DS-2019 SEVIS forms for specific details about the type of required documentation. This financial documentation will confirm that you are actively enrolled at a U.S. college or university.
- Will I need any other forms?
Probably! To make sure you are 100 percent prepared to apply for a student visa in the USA, please contact your consular officer. It’s possible you’ll also need to present additional supporting documents, such as your school’s letter of admission or a transcript of your TOEFL score.
Additional Resources for Obtaining a Student Visa in the USA
For more information about how to obtain a student visa in the USA, please use our helpful guide for a study tour in America, all about becoming an American college student and how to obtain a U.S. student visa.
More Information from USA Education Guides
In addition to offering information and resources for obtaining a U.S. student visa, USA Education Guides offers the following information to help you prepare for your study tour in America:
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