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Home / International Studies / VISA Information

Student Visa Application Process

International students may be required to obtain a student visa in order to study in the United States. Once you receive your I-20, F-1 – full – time, degree seeking or DS-2019 – J-1 – full-time degree or non-degree, you may apply for the related visa by completing the following:

Applying for a Student Visa

1

Pay Sevis Fee & Check Status

If required, pay the I-901 Sevis Fee by visiting US Customs and Immigration. To determine if you are required to pay the Sevis fee see "Who Pays or Who Does Not Pay." You may check your I-901 status online by entering your SEVIS information.

2

Schedule VISA Appointment

Schedule the earliest appointment available in the country which you live with the US Embassy.

3

Review Information

Review the interview wait times of your local embassy. Wait times will vary based on location, visa category, and season of which you are requesting the appointment.

4

Attend your Visa Appointment

A consular officer will interview you, determine your eligibility for a student visa, or determine your application requires further administrative processing.

Required Documentation

Prior to your VISA appointment, make sure to gather all required documentation.

  • Passport
    Valid for US travel and must be valid for a minimum of six months beyond your stay period in the United States (unless exempt).
  • Non-Immigrant VISA application (Form DS-160) Confirmation Page
  • Receipt of Application Fee Payment
    You may be required to pay your application fee before the interview time. You can receive a receipt online through US Immigration and Customs.
  • Recent Photo
    Bring a recent photo of yourself if you are unable to upload a photo during the DS-160 submission process. Make sure that your photo meets all minimum requirements.

Additional Information

It is your responsibility, as a student applying for a student visa, to provide all supporting documentation needed to meet the minimum requirements within U.S. Law to receive a visa.

Visas for new students can be issued up to 120 days in advance of the start date for a course of study. However, you are not allowed to enter the United States on the issued student visa more than 30 days prior to the start date.

Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status (F-1)

The I-20 will be signed by the school official and the student. All students must be registered in the Student and Exchange Visitor System (SEVIS) prior to scheduling an Embassy / Consulate appointment.

Complete the required steps to apply for a visa and attend a visa interview as soon as possible. You need to be prepared to proceed with the next steps, once an appointment becomes available at your local Embassy / Consulate.

*The financial information listed on the I-20 is an estimate of the cost of attendance and not a tuition bill.