How to Apply for a Student Visa
The U.S. government provides two different types of
visas to study in the U.S. - the F-1 visa, for academic
studies, and the M-1 visa, for non-academic or
vocational studies. In order to apply for a student visa
one must already be accepted for a full course of study
by an educational institution approved by the
Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS).
Where to Apply for a Student Visa:
Applicants for student visas should generally apply at
the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their home country.
Although visa applicants may apply at any U.S. consular
office abroad, it may be more difficult to qualify for
the visa outside the country of permanent residence.
Changes introduced shortly after September 11, 2001
involve extensive and ongoing review of visa issuing
practices as they relate to national security. It is
important to apply for your visa well in advance of your
travel departure date.
Required Documents:
Each applicant for a student visa must pay a
nonrefundable US$45 application fee and submit:
1. An application Form OF-156, completed and signed.
Blank OF-156 forms are available without charge at all
U.S. consular offices.
The U.S. State Department website offers an interactive
Form OF-156. Click here to head to the site.
2. A passport valid for travel to the United States and
valid at least six months beyond the applicant's
intended period of stay in the United States. If more
than one person is included in the passport, each person
desiring a visa must make an application.
3. One photograph 1 and 1/2 inches square (37x37mm) for
each applicant, showing full face, without head
covering, against a light background.
4. The educational program must send you an I-20 form,
or Certificate of Eligibility, to prove you have been
accepted as a student.
"F" applicants should obtain a Form I-20A-B (Certificate
of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status for
Academic and Language Students).
"M" applicants should obtain a Form I-20M-N (Certificate
of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (M-1) Student Status For
Vocational Students).
Educational institutions obtain these forms from the
INS.
5. Evidence of sufficient funds such as current bank
statements and other records of financial assets.
F-1 students must show proof they will be able to meet
all expenses for the first year of study, and that
adequate funds will be available for each subsequent
year of study.
M-1 student visa applicants must have evidence that
sufficient funds are immediately available to pay all
tuition and living costs for the entire period of
intended stay.
Other Required Documentation
Student visa applicants must establish to the
satisfaction of the consular officer that they have
binding ties to a residence in a foreign country which
they have no intention of abandoning, and that they will
depart the United States when they have completed their
studies. It is impossible to specify the exact form the
evidence should take since applicants' circumstances
vary greatly.
For more information on student visa requirements, visit
the U.S. Department of State's foreign student visa
page.
Can I work while attending a U.S. school? Read the
latest updates at:
http://www.ins.usdoj.gov/graphics/publicaffairs/newsrels/f1.htm
! If you or your child are a high-school student or
younger and want to attend a school in the U.S., you
should read up on INS' Restrictions on Student Visas for
Elementary and High-School Students.
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