Student Visas. What is it and how can you get one?
First… What Is a US Student Visa?
In order to legally attend school, a language program, or an exchange program and reside temporarily in the US, all international applicants — that is, those without US citizenship or permanent residence — must first obtain a student visa.
There are three types of student visas:
- F-1 visa for undergraduate, graduate, and language program students;
- M-1 visa for non-academic or vocational students; and
- J-1 visa for exchange visitors and study abroad students or interns.
Generally speaking, those who wish to study full-time in an undergraduate or graduate program will need an F-1 visa while those studying abroad for a semester or two to get credits for their home institution need a J-1 visa.
Your student visa ends once you complete your program, which means you must leave the US. However, you may later return to the US on another visa, such as a tourist or work visa.
Now… When Should You Apply for a Student Visa?
You may only apply for a student visa AFTER you’ve applied for and have been accepted to a Student Exchange and Visitor Program or SEVP-approved school.
But… What do you need for your Student Visa Application?
#1: Your Passport
This must be issued by your home country, and valid until at least six months beyond the end date of your program in the US.
#2: Passport-Style Photograph
Your photo must follow the specific instructions on how to take a photo and how to upload a visa photograph based on the US visa website.
Take note that glasses are no longer allowed in visa photographs.
#3: Money
You’ll need to have a decent sum of money on hand to pay the visa-related fees. The required US student visa fees are:
- I-901 SEVIS fee: This fee is 350 USD for F-1/M-1 students and 220 USD for J-1 students (or 35 USD for those entering short-term J-1 programs). All applicants must pay this fee.
- Visa application fee: This fee is 160 USD. All applicants must pay this fee.
- Visa issuance fee (if required): This fee is only required for applicants of certain nationalities. You can see whether you are required to pay a visa issuance fee by going to the US visas website.
Now that we know what a student visa is and what are the requirements, let us discuss…
How to Get a Student Visa – through a 10-Step Guide
The visa process we will discuss may be used for all three types of US student visas, given the similarities in the application for the various types of visas.
If you have any questions about your visa type or how to apply for one, Leave a comment, give us a call, or set an appointment on my website at andresmejerlaw.com.
Let’s get back to it.
Step 1: Apply and Get Accepted to a US School
Most full-time undergraduate and graduate programs in the US require applications to be submitted by December or January each year. Schools typically send out admission notifications around March and April.
The schools you apply to must be approved by SEVP. Use the SEVP school search tool to find a SEVP-approved or certified school.
J-1 students will most likely apply for exchange programs through their home institutions. You may also look for designated sponsor organizations online at the official J-1 visa website.
Step 2: Receive Form I-20 or DS-2019 From Your School
Once admitted to a school, F-1 and M-1 students will receive Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status).
On the other hand, J-1 students will receive Form DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status).
Your school will mail the appropriate form to you with your SEVIS ID, your school’s address, and other critical information concerning your program.
You will need this form for your visa interview and to pay certain fees
Step 3: Pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee
Once you receive the form from your school, go online and pay the I-901 SEVIS fee.
NOTE that the I-901 SEVIS fee is SEPARATE from your visa application fee.
After paying, print out your confirmation page, and bring it to your visa interview.
Step 4: Find Your Nearest US Embassy or Consulate
You must apply for your student visa through your nearest US embassy or consulate (ideally, in the city or region in which you live).
US student visa processes may differ slightly depending on which embassy you apply.
Step 5: Complete Form DS-160 Online
Form DS-160 is also known as the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application. Be sure you have the following items on hand:
- Your passport
- A visa photograph (to upload)
- Form I-20 or DS-2019 depending on the type of your visa
In addition, you may need to supply:
- A travel itinerary;
- The dates of your last five visits to the US (if applicable) and/or evidence of your international travel history within the past five years;
- A resume or CV; and
- Additional information on your purpose for travel.
Indicate also the US embassy at which you intend to be interviewed for your visa.
Fill out the entire form in English, except when asked to write your full name in your native alphabet. After submission, print out your confirmation page to bring during the visa interview.
Step 6: Schedule Your Visa Interview
Contact your nearest US embassy or consulate (ideally, the one you input on your online application) to schedule your visa interview.
Wait times for interviews vary depending on the embassy. Go to the US visa website to see the wait times for your embassy.
Step 7: Pay Your Visa Application Fee
Pay the 160 USD application fee. This fee is the same price regardless of your country of origin and where you apply.
Although many embassies require applicants to pay the application fee before their interviews, not all do. Your embassy should instruct you as to when and how you’ll need to pay your visa application fee.
Be sure to bring your receipt as proof of payment to your interview, if applicable.
Step 8: Attend Your Visa Interview
Before attending, consolidate the following:
- Your passport
- One copy of your visa photograph
- Your printed DS-160 confirmation page
- Your printed I-901 SEVIS fee confirmation page
- Your visa application fee payment receipt (if applicable)
- Form I-20 for F-1/M-1 students, or Form DS-2019 for J-1 students (make sure to bring the original form — not a copy!)
- And other additional documents which may be required by your specific embassy.
You will undergo a security check and be requested digital, ink-free fingerprints after you arrive at your interview.
During the interview, you will be asked a range of questions in English. It is important to clearly state that you do not intend to remain in the US once you complete your program.
If your interview is successful, they will inform you when and how it will return your passport with your new visa. You must also leave your passport with your embassy.
Step 9: Pay the Visa Issuance Fee (If Required)
Some students must pay a visa issuance fee once they have been approved for a US student visa. Whether this fee is required or not depends on your nationality and your country’s reciprocity agreement with the US.
Step 10: Receive Your Visa
After the steps above and when you have received approval for a US international student visa, your embassy will return your passport with your new visa in it.
Note that some embassies will require you to pick it up in person, whereas others will mail it directly back to you.
There you have it. If you have any questions or if you need assistance with any of these, feel free to reach out to us by commenting on this video, giving us a call, or scheduling an appointment through our website. We are more than willing to help you out.
