Non-Immigrant Visas

Student Visas

To qualify for the following visas, you need to overcome the presumption in section 214(b) of the Immigration and National Act (INA) that all visa applicants are intending immigrants.  You can overcome this presumption by providing evidence that you have strong, binding ties to your home country that you have no intention of abandoning.

The first step is to apply and be accepted by the program or school in the United States.

F Visa: General Education or Language Study 

If you are going to the U.S. for academic study, you need an F visa.  Applicants must demonstrate the financial capacity to cover tuition fees and living expenses for the first twelve months.  (Full-time students may seek on-campus employment not to exceed 20 hours per week.)   

Documents needed:

• I-20 form issued by the school or university in the U.S.
• Non-Immigrant Visa Application Form DS-156
• DS-157 (needed only for males age 16 through 45)
• DS-158 Contact Information and Work History
• Itemized bank statements going back at least three months
• Any other documentation that shows how your tuition and all related expenses will be paid.
• Evidence of payment of the SEVIS fee (this can be paid at the website)

M Visa:  Non-Academic or Vocational Study

Same documents as listed for F Visa above.

J Visa: Exchange Programs, Research or Teaching Fellowship, Medical Studies, Au Pair, etc.

If you are going to the U.S. to participate in an exchange program or a fellowship or to work as a medical resident or an au pair, you need a J visa.  Applicants must have sufficient funds or adequate arrangements to cover their expenses while on an exchange visitor visa (J).

Documents needed:

• A DS-2019 (issued by the sponsoring organization)
• Non-Immigrant Visa Application Form DS-156
• DS-157 (needed only for males age 16 through 45)
• DS-158 Contact Information and Work History
• Evidence of sufficient funds or arrangements to cover expenses

Procedures:

To obtain an exchange, study or school visa, the program in the U.S. must first accept you.  The program will send you either a DS-2019 or an I-20 form.    In addition, every applicant, including spouses and children planning to accompany the applicant, must be registered with SEVIS.  A SEVIS fee must be paid before applying for your US Visa, and can be paid via the internet, or through the school you will be attending.  

F, J and M applications require simultaneous processing in the U.S. at the Embassy.  We recommend that you apply as soon as you receive your SEVIS document (hopefully 90 days before the beginning of study).

Your spouse and children (under age of 21) are eligible to receive visas to accompany you to the U.S.  They will receive the same type of visas for the regular application fee, provided that evidence of the relationship is submitted (e.g. birth or marriage certificate).

U.S. law only allows students and trainers to enter the U.S. no more than 30 days before the start date of the program indicated on the I-20 or DS-2019.