Anyone who wishes to study in the United States more than 18 hours per week requires a student (F-1) visa. Some summer camp and summer English classes may offer less than 18 hours a week of classroom instruction, in which case an applicant may use a tourist (B-1/B-2) visa. All student visa applicants, including those who have previously been issued a student visa and wish to apply for a new one, must make an appointment and  apply in person at Taipei Office of the American Institute in Taiwan.  Applicants must present a completed I-20 from the school in the United States.  Applicants must also be able to demonstrate that they have sufficient resources to pay for their studies in the U.S.

Applicants must bring in the following documents to AIT, Taipei:

• A valid passport signed by the bearer
• An application form DS-156 completed in English with one photo. Please include a Taiwan telephone number on the form. Local addresses may also be written in both English and Chinese for clarity. Addresses written in Chinese are not required. The photo should be 2 inches square (50 mm square) full-face (eyes facing camera) taken within the past six months. The head, from top to chin, should measure between 1 to 1 3/8 inch (25 to 35 mm). The photo should be in color with a white or off-white background.
• Male applicants older than 16 and younger than 46 must also submit a completed form DS-157, Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application (in English).
• A completed form DS-158, Contact Information And Work History For Nonimmigrant Visa Applicant (in English).
• A non-refundable NT$4,100 visa application processing fee receipt, pre-paid to postal remittance account number 19189005 at the post office, The account name is "AIT Visa Processing Fee". Please present one receipt for each applicant. The receipt is valid for one year.
• A completed form I-20 from the school in the U.S. Applicants should sign on the bottom part of page 1.
• Persons applying for an F or M visa with an initial I-20 form issued on or after September 1, 2004 will require payment of the SEVIS I-901 fee before making a visa application. You must submit your SEVIS fee receipt to the Consular Officer to confirm your payment of the SEVIS fee. If you have paid the SEVIS fee but decide to study at a different school, you must request for a fee transfer from your previous SEVIS ID number to the new one before applying for a visa. (For more information, click here.) Dependents of F or M visa applicants (F-2, M-2) do not have to pay the SEVIS fee. For detailed information on how to pay the SEVIS fee, click here.
• Financial support evidence showing sufficient funds are available to cover the first year's tuition and living expenses in the U.S., and also that there is a continuing source of funds available to cover the costs of the entire course of study.
• Old passports. If applicants do not have their previous passports, either due to loss or some other reason, applicants must present a certified copy of their entry and exit record. This record is issued by the Bureau of Entry and Exit (15 Kuang Chou St, Taipei, Telephone 02-2388-9393)
• Transcripts from their most recent school. (Applying for renew F and M visas needs to bring in all course work of transcripts in the U.S.).
• Household registration record listing entire immediate family
• If you have changed your name, please include your previous name(s) on your application form DS-156.

If someone other than the applicant is paying for the education, applicants should present documents proving their relationship with the sponsor. Applicants for student visas must be prepared to show they have compelling ties that will cause them to return abroad after their studies in the U.S.

At the time of the interview, applicants should give the interviewing officer the passport, application form, and I-20. The officer will request other documents as they are needed.

For additional information about student visas, click here. (The Bureau of Consular Affairs Website)