Non-Immigrant Visas

Student And Exchange Visas

Applicants applying for the F, M, J or Q type Student/Exchange visas are encouraged to apply early for their visas, preferably as soon as you receive your I-20 or DS-2019. Please, note that you cannot obtain a student or exchange visa if you have not received the I-20/DS-2019 form from the institution/program you have applied to. However, please note that getting form I-20/DS-2019 is not a guarantee that you will receive a visa.

NOTE:Persons applying for student or exchange visas must pay the SEVIS fee (also known as the “SEVIS I-901 fee”) BEFORE their interview date. Consular officers will accept the receipt for SEVIS fee payment, either generated on-line or sent to the applicant by mail on a FORM I-797, as proof of payment. For more information, go to

As of October 1, 2006, all visa applicants are required to complete the application forms DS-156, DS-157 and DS-158 online, then print them and bring to the interview. All three forms can be found at:

Beginning March 1, 2008 non-refundable application fee $131 is paid at the US Consulate cashier on the day of the visa interview.

All non-immigrant visa applicants applying on or after March 1, 2008 will be required to schedule appointments for a visa interview online. Applicants may do so by visiting the following website:

Please bring the following to your interview:

  • Your passport (valid at least another 12 months)
  • Non-refundable application fee - the equivalent of US$131 in local currency.
  • The completed visa applications: DS-156, DS-157 and DS-158
  • 1 unmounted 5 x 5cm, full face photograph stapled or glued to the application form
  • For the “F” applicant, form I-20A-B; for the “M” applicant form I-20M-N; For the "J" applicant, a completedForm DS-2019.
  • Proof of SEVIS payment
  • All financial documents showing that you or your sponsor is capable of supporting all of your academic needs, for example:
  • A bank testimonial of financial support;
  • A bank account statement for the last six months;
  • Salary Sheets.
  • Any other supporting documents:
  • Original copies of diplomas, transcripts, and other testimonials and certificates from the last institution where you studied;
  • Any legal document that proves your personal commitment to return home at the end of your studies.

ADEQUATE FINANCIAL SUPPORT:

The student must prove that his/her sponsor is capable of paying for the first year of his/her academic program, and should be able to show that there will be adequate funds to finance the subsequent years. He/she must show solid evidence of the existence of:

  1. The money necessary to pay for the first academic year; AND
  2. A plan for financing the subsequent years.

The proof of financial support should be a statement of a personal bank account. The statement of a company account is not appropriate because this type of money cannot normally be spent for personal use.

PLEASE NOTE:

Please review the online handout for student visa applicants for more detailed information:Student Visas Handout

To all recipients of an F, M, or J student or exchange visitor visa:
Please be aware that United States Department of Homeland Security regulations state that holders of F, M, or J nonimmigrant visas will not be admitted to the United States until a date thirty days or less prior to the beginning of your program date, or start date, as given on your Form I-20 (for F or M visas) or DS-2019 (for J visas). An immigration inspector may deny you entry into the United States if you use this visa earlier than this thirty day period. Please consider that date carefully when making your travel plans to the United States.