Non-Immigrant Visas

Student Visas

If you want to study in the United States, the first step is to find a school that offers the kind of program you need, apply for admission and be accepted. You can find more official information about studying in the United States here, and almost all U.S. universities and colleges maintain their own websites where you can find information on your own.  Once you are accepted, the institution will provide you with a form I-20, which you will use to apply for a visa.

The US Embassy has an Education Advisor to assist students with Higher Education enquiries. If you would like to make an appointment to discuss education opportunities in the US, please contact the Education Advisor, on 222 9670 Ext. 2101, email: education_bsb@state.gov    

There are two types of student visas: F-1 visas are for students in an academic program, and M-1 visas are for students in a non-academic program, such as vocational training. Your school in the United States will let you know whether you need an F-1 or M-1 visa. The application procedures are the same for both.

Do I need a student visa?

If you will be enrolled as a full-time student in a program that leads to a degree, you will need to apply for a student visa. If you are in the United States already on a Tourist (B-2 or B1/B2) visa, you will only be allowed to change to student status if you declared your intention to do so when you entered the U.S., and you will not be allowed to begin your program until the change of status is approved by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS).

Note: If you entered the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program, you will not be eligible to change status and must leave the U.S. to apply for a student visa.

J-1 Exchange Visitor visas are also commonly used for structured academic and vocational programs, though generally not for full-time programs that lead to a degree. Click here for more information on J-1 visas.

How long will the process take and when should I apply?

Normal processing time for student visas is two working days, the same as for other non-immigrant visa categories. Depending on your nationality and course of study, however, we may need to get special clearances, and this can take some additional time.

To make sure that you can arrive on time if your visa is approved, you should apply for your visa early. You are allowed to apply as soon as you have received your I-20 form from your school. Note that we are only allowed to issue a student visa—that is, actually print it and put it in your passport—120 days or less before the date that you are supposed to report to your school. This date is printed on your I-20. If you apply for your visa more than 90 days prior to your report date and we decide to approve your application, you will be advised to re-submit your passport at a later date so that we can print your visa. Also, if your case requires any special clearances or other processes, we can use this "extra time" to get them done.

What are the requirements for a student visa?

All student visa applicants must demonstrate that they:

• are entering the United States for a temporary stay only for the purpose of pursuing a full course of study at a recognized institution of learning;
• have a residence outside the United States to which they intend to return following their studies;
• have sufficient resources available to provide for the total cost of their education; and
• have sufficient command of the English language or will enroll in intensive English language courses in the United States.

In addition, the school must report to the State Department that you have been accepted to study there by entering your data into the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). See below for more about SEVIS.

What additional documents will I need for my student visa application?

In addition to the standard visa documents (see the General Information section), you must provide:

• SEVIS-compliant I-20 Certificate of Eligibility from your U.S. school or university.
• Receipt having paid SEVIS Fee.
• Passport valid for at least six months beyond the date of arrival in the United States.
• Completed form DS-158, available here.
• Evidence of Financial Resources.

All student visa applicants must demonstrate that they have financial resources sufficient for their studies. For F-1 applicants, this means you or your sponsors have sufficient funds immediately available to meet all expenses of the first year of study, as well as a sufficient income to provide funds for subsequent years of study. M-1 applicants must prove they have sufficient funds immediately available to cover the entire course of study, not just the first year.

ABOUT SEVIS AND YOUR I-20 FORM

SEVIS Fee for F, M, & J Nonimmigrant Students & Exchange Visitors

The Department of Homeland Security collects a fee to cover the costs for the continued operation of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).

Who pays the fee?

Those who wish to enter the United States either as a student or an exchange visitor with a Form I-20 or DS-2019 dated on or after September 1, 2004.

Participants of federally sponsored exchange visitor programs, which are designated by program codes beginning with G-1, G-2, or G-3 are not subject to this fee. Spouses and dependent children (F-2, M-2) of students or exchange visitors (J-2) do not pay this fee.

How much is the fee?

For students (F-1, F-3, M-1, or M-3)	US$100
For spouses and dependent children (F-2, M-2, or J-2) of students or exchange visitors	None
For exchange visitors (J-1) unless participating in:	US$100
Federally sponsored exchange visitor program (program codes start with G-1, G-2, or G-3)	None
Summer work/travel program	US$35
Au pair program	US$35
Camp counselor program	US$35

How is the fee paid?

The fee CANNOT be paid at the Embassy. It must be paid before you come for your interview, as we cannot issue your visa until payment is confirmed.
The fee can be paid in four ways:

• Through the Internet at www.FMJfee.com by using a credit card and completing the online Form I-901 (Fee for Remittance for Certain F, M, and J Nonimmigrants); or
  by using a credit card and completing the online Form I-901 (Fee for Remittance for Certain F, M, and J Nonimmigrants); or by using a credit card and completing the online Form I-901 (Fee for Remittance for Certain F, M, and J Nonimmigrants); or
• Through the mail by submitting a completed Form I-901 and a check or money order drawn on a US Bank and payable in US currency; or
• By a third party such as a school or sponsor (in such a case, they should inform you that payment has been made on your behalf).
• Through the Western Union Quick Pay service. Instructions for using the Western Union Quick Pay form can be seen on the Student and Exchange Visitor Program website.

For more details about the SEVIS fee, click here.

SEVIS stands for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. It is a database of information about every Student (F-1 or M-1 visa) and Exchange Visitor (J-1 visa) to the United States. The information is collected and updated by the school you will attend or the exchange program sponsor. If your are not entered in SEVIS, or if there is a discrepancy between your passport and the information in SEVIS, we will not be able to issue your visa until you have contacted the school and confirmed that they have corrected the problem. The Embassy cannot contact the school on your behalf.

How do you know whether your SEVIS entry is correct? When you receive your I-20, check it carefully for errors.

If you find an error on the I-20, then your SEVIS entry is most likely also incorrect. You should contact your school immediately, get the error corrected and have them express mail you a new I-20. In most cases, if the information on the paper I-20 is correct, the electronic SEVIS entry will also be correct.

How soon can I arrive in the United States?

If you are an initial or beginning student, you can arrive no earlier than 30 days before the start/report date as shown on the I-20 form . Please consider this date carefully when making travel plans to the United States. The 30 day limitation does not apply to students returning to resume studies; they may enter the United States at any time.

How long may I stay in the United States? Do I have to leave when my visa expires?

When you enter the United States on a student visa, you will usually be admitted for the duration of your student status—this is often abbreviated "D/S" in your passport. This means you may stay as long as you are a full-time student, even if the F-1 or M-1 visa in your passport expires. If your visa has expired and you need to travel abroad, you will need to apply for a new visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate while you are abroad so that you can re-enter the United States and continue your studies.

After you complete the course of studies shown on your I-20 and any authorized practical training, you will have a "grace period" to wrap up your affairs. For F-1 students, you have 60 days to depart the United States or transfer to another school. For M-1 students, you have 30 days past the completion date shown on your I-20 to leave the United States or a total of one year, whichever is less.

Where can I get more information?

For information about non-immigrant visas, please see the non-immigrant visa section of the U.S. Department of State's Consular Affairs website.

For general information about study in the U.S., please visit the Education USA website, or contact the Embassy's Education Advisor.