Student Visa Applicants (F-1/M-1)

The first step for a prospective nonimmigrant student is being accepted for enrollment in a SEVP certified school.  In general, academic students, including those in language training, require F visas, and for nonacademic vocational students require M visas.

If you are going to the U.S. primarily for tourism, but want to take a short course of study which is recreational or vocational, and of less than 18 hours per week, you may be able to do so on a visitor visa. If your course of study is 18 hours or more a week, you will need a student visa.  When traveling to the U.S. to attend seminars, conferences or a program of study for academic credit then you will need a student visa.

APPLYING FOR A VISA

1. Please follow the steps listed on the “How to apply” page to submit your application and prepare the required documents.
2. Please present a SEVIS generated I-20 issued by an educational institution approved by Department of Homeland Security.  School officials and students should sign the bottom part of page 1.  A parent or legal guardian must also sign the I-20 if the student is under 18.
3. If a SEVIS fee is needed, bring the SEVIS fee receipt.  For detailed information on the SEVIS fees, click here.
4. Please present transcripts from the most recent school.  (Applying for renew F and M visas needs to bring in all course work of transcripts in the U.S.).
5. Present financial evidence that shows you or your sponsors have sufficient funds to cover your tuition and living expenses during the period of your intended study. For example, if you or your sponsor is a salaried employee, please bring income tax documents and original bank books and/or statements. If you or your sponsor own a business, please bring business registration, licenses, etc., and tax documents, as well as original bank books and/or statements.
6. Students who are authorized for Optional Practical Training (OPT) must have an I-20 endorsed for OPT, and provide a USCIS-issued Employment Authorization Document (EAD). When authorized, Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment that is directly related to the eligible F-1 student’s area of study. To learn more about OPT, please visit the USCIS Website and the ICE international Students webpage.
7. Applicants for student visas must demonstrate that they have a residence abroad with no immediate intention of abandoning that residence and that they intend to depart from the United States upon completion of the course of study.

For additional information about student visas, click here. (The Department of State website)