VISAS - OVERVIEW

Student Applicants (for F-1 & M-1 visas)

1. Students should note that Embassies and Consulates are able to issue your student visa 120 days or less, in advance of the course of study registration date. If you apply for your visa more than 120 days prior to your start date or registration date as provided on the Form I-20, the Embassy or Consulate will hold your application until it is able to issue the visa. Consular officials will use that extra time to accomplish any of the necessary special clearances or other processes that may be required.

Students are advised of the Department of Homeland Security regulation which requires that all beginning students enter the U.S. 30 days or less in advance of the course of study start/report date as shown on the Form I-20. Please consider this date carefully when making travel plans to the U.S.

2. All student applicants must have a SEVIS generated I-20 issued by an educational institution approved by DHS, which they submit when they are applying for their student visa. The consular officer will need to verify your I-20 record electronically through the SEVIS system in order to process your student visa application. The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) is designed to help the Department of Homeland Security and Department of State better monitor school and exchange programs and F, M and J category visitors. Exchange visitor and student information is maintained in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). SEVIS is an Internet-based system that maintains accurate and current information on non-immigrant students (F and M visa), exchange visitors (J visa), and their dependents (F-2, M-2, and J-2)

SEVIS enables schools and program sponsors to transmit mandatory information and event notifications via the Internet, to the Department of Homeland Security and Department of State (DOS) throughout a student or exchange visitor's stay in the United States.

3. In addition to form I-20, F and M applicants will also provide the following information:

1. Completed DS-156 Nonimmigrant Visa Application (for all NIV applicants).
2. Completed DS-157 Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application (for NIV applicants over 16 years old)
3. Completed DS-158 Contact Information and Work History for Nonimmigrant Visa Applicant (for F, M & J visa applicants only) TOP

4. Applicants for student visas to the US must first demonstrate that s/he is a bona-fide student qualified to pursue a full course of study. The applicant must also demonstrate that s/he is seeking to enter the U.S. temporarily and solely for the purpose of pursuing such a course of study at an established academic institution. TOP

5. All applicants should be prepared to provide:

1. Transcripts and diplomas from previous institutions attended;
2. Scores from standardized tests required by the educational institution such as the TOEFL, SAT, GRE, GMAT, etc.
3. Financial evidence that shows you or your parents who are sponsoring you have sufficient funds to cover your tuition and living expenses during the period of your intended study
4. Applicants with dependents must also provide: Proof of the student’s relationship to his/her spouse and/or children (e.g., marriage and birth certificates.)
5. it is preferred that families apply for F-1 and F-2 visas at the same time, but if the spouse and children must apply separately at a later time, they should bring a copy of the student visa holder’s passport and visa, along with all other required documents.
6. Proof of Ties to Home Country, Proof of economic, social, family, or other commitments that will help demonstrate your intent to return to home country after a temporary stay in the U.S.
7. Proof of Finances, Proof that you can support yourself during your entire stay in the U.S. without working, e.g. pay statement that shows regular monthly salary & bank books with regular history of deposits and withdrawals, etc. (Please note that certificates of deposit are not helpful.)
8. Research/Study Plan Detailed information about your planned studies or research in the U.S.
9. Resume/CV Detailed information about your past academic and professional experience, including a complete list of all publications to which you have contributed
10. Evidence of Why You will Return to Home Country. Proof of economic, social, family, or other commitments that will help demonstrate that you intend to return to your country after a temporary stay in the U.S. Evidence can vary depending on the applicant’s personal situation. The following documentation may help the officer to assess your intentions to return to Home Country: Residence registration, ID card, proof of employment, pay statement that shows regular monthly salary, bank books with regular deposits and withdrawals.
11. Invitation Letter If you are invited to visit someone in the United States, it might be helpful to provide information about who is inviting you, purpose of travel, and planned itinerary or schedule. No invitation letter is needed if you are just going for sightseeing in the United States.

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If you previously stayed in the U.S. longer than the period given on your I-94 form at the U.S. port of entry, you should present the original letter of extension issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Besides the above essential items, certain visa categories require additional documentation. Do you have the additional documentation? Note: this is not an exhaustive list and presentation of these documents does not guarantee visa issuance. TOP

What is Needed to Apply for a Student Visa?:

A completed application; Nonimmigrant Visa Applicant, Form DS-156, together with a Form DS-158. Both forms must be completed and signed. Some applicants will also be required to complete and sign Form DS-157. A separate form is needed for children, even if they are included in a parent's passport. The DS-156 must be the March 2006 date, electronic "e-form application." An interview at the embassy consular section is required for almost all visa applicants.

As part of the visa application process, an interview at the embassy consular section is required for visa applicants from age 14 through 79. The waiting time for an interview appointment for applicants can vary, so early visa application is strongly encouraged. It is important to remember that applying early and providing the requested documents does not guarantee that the student will receive a visa. During the visa application process, usually at the interview, an ink-free, digital fingerprint scan will be quickly taken. Some applicants will need additional screening, and will be notified when they apply. Also, because each student’s personal and academic situation is different; two students applying for same visa may be asked different questions and be required to submit different documents. For that reason, the guidelines that follow are general and can be abridged or expanded by consular officers overseas, depending on each student’s situation. TOP

Application Fee - For Chinese Applicant, the 943 RMB application fee may be paid at any CITIC Bank branch in China. Please note that the fee is non-refundable; no refund will be made if the visa is denied or if the applicant decides not to pursue an application.

The original fee receipt must be presented when the visa application is submitted at the Embassy.

Students will also have to pay an SEVIS I-901 fee (US Dollar $200) for each program of study.    TOP