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Immigrant Visa

Student Visas

The United States welcomes foreign citizens who come to study. Most non-U.S. citizens who wish to study in the United States will seek an F-1 student visa, but there are other visa types that are sometimes used. Here is a short description of the different visa types that involve study.

F-1, or Student Visa: This visa is the most common for those who wish to engage in academic studies in the United States. It is for people who want to study at an accredited U.S. college or university. If you are going to the United States to study and your course of study is more than 18 hours a week, you will need an F1 or M1 student visa.

M-1, or Student Visa: This visa is for those who will be engaged in non-academic or vocational study or training at an institution in the United States.

J-1, or Exchange Visitor Visa: This visa is for people who will be participating in an exchange visitor program in the United States. The J visa is for educational and cultural exchange programs. The Exchange Visitor Program is administered by the Office of Exchange Coordination and Designation in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Before you can apply at the Embassy for a J visa you must apply, meet the requirements, and be accepted for one of the Exchange Visitor Program categories through a designated sponsoring organization. If you are accepted as a participant in an exchange program, the sponsor will provide you with information and documents necessary to apply for the J visa to enter the United States.

If you want to study in the United States, the first step is to find a school that offers the kind of program you need, apply for admission and be accepted. You can find more official information about studying in the United States here, and almost all U.S. universities and colleges maintain their own websites where you can find information on your own.

Additional Application Steps for F/J/M Visa Applicants

  1. Please follow the general application steps for all visa applicants. Click here for more information.
  2. In addition, fill out the DS-158, available free at the consular entrance or online.
  3. All new students and exchange visitors must pay the SEVIS fee in addition to the regular application fee. For more information on the SEVIS Fee, click here.
  4. On the day of your appointment, bring the following documents (in addition to the general visa requirements): DS-158, I-20 or DS-2019 and SEVIS Fee receipt (if needed). Please check to ensure that the data on your I-20 or DS-2019 is correct.
  5. Bring documents to support your application:
  • Credible documentary evidence that you have enough readily available funds to meet all expenses for the first year of study and that you have access to funds sufficient to cover all expenses while you remain in the U.S.
  • Documents that show scholastic preparation. Useful documents include school transcripts, public examination certificates, standardized test scores (such as TOEFL), and diplomas. Returning students should bring official transcripts from all U.S. schools attended.

For more information about student visas, please click here.

 
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