Study Overseas

You have decided to study in the United States. Now, how do you get your student visa?

If you are one of the hundreds of thousands of students interested in coming to the United States to study, here is some good news. U.S. colleges and universities welcome your application, and the U.S. Department of State has been working to make it easier and faster to apply for a student visa once you have been accepted to the campus of your choice. The visa process should not be daunting if you are well prepared. Just allow plenty of time to schedule an appointment for your visa interview and to have your visa processed, and be sure your documents are in order. Here are some simple guidelines to help you on your way.

How do I find the U.S. academic program that is right for me?

First, you must get accepted to the college or university - or English language or technical training program - that you wish to attend. With over 3,000 regionally accredited colleges and universities, your choices vary widely, from small private colleges to 16 state universities. Think about what type of campus suits your interests, what field of study you wish to pursue, and in what part of the country you would like to live. Be sure to check that the institutions and programs you select are regionally accredited, by seeing if they are listed on the website of the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (www.chea.org). This ensures that they have passed regular site visits which examine their facilities, academic programs, mission and outcomes, and verifies that they meet agreed-upon standards of performance. You should also verify that your chosen school has the ability to sponsor a student visa.

You can get individualized advice by contacting the EducationUSA office that is closest to you (http://www.educationusa.state.gov/). Many offer individual counseling, as well as group information sessions and reference libraries. Check the advising office hours before you visit. You may need to apply to several different colleges or universities to be sure you are accepted at one that is right for you.

You will need to show that you are able to pay for your studies, so this is also a good time to explore funding options. You can find a wide variety of scholarships and fellowships, searchable by home country, field of study, and U.S. destination, at www.fundingUSstudy.org, a website of the Institute of International Education. Over two-thirds of international students in the U.S. cover their own costs through personal or family funds, but other sources may be available to you. At the graduate level, especially in science and engineering, US host campuses often are able to provide support in the form of teaching or research assistantships. Others may have special awards for academic excellence. If you require financial support, you should inquire about this in your letter of application, and not wait until you are accepted.

Congratulations... you have been accepted! Now what?

If you are accepted, you will get a letter telling you the good news. A school or university or private program cannot issue a student visa, but they will send you a special form that will show that you have been accepted and they will sponsor your visa. The form (either an I-20 or DS-2019) is generated by an Internet-based system called SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) that maintains data on foreign students and exchange visitors before and during their stay in the United States. Keep the form safe, and bring it with you to apply for your visa.

Who can help me get a student visa?

You will need to go to a U.S. Embassy or Consular Office to apply for a non-immigrant visa to study in the U.S., and have an in-person interview. You should not pay money to an agent or service who says they can issue a visa or help you get a visa. If you need information or advice, you may wish to contact your college or university's foreign student office, or the EducationUSA advisor in your country - most EducationUSA advising centers have information about what you need to bring with you when you apply for the visa and can guide you through the student visa application process. And you may wish to consult the U.S. visa website (http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov/studying.html) for general information.

But the ultimate resource for official guidelines, costs and procedures for getting a student visa in your particular country is the website for the U.S. Consulate or Embassy nearest you. Each U.S. Embassy website will indicate the steps you need to take and tell you how to apply for an interview. Procedures vary by city as well as by country, so we suggest you check the information for the specific US Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply. (http://usembassy.state.gov/)

When should I apply for my visa?

Be sure to leave enough time before the start of your U.S. program. Consult the U.S. Embassy or Consulate nearest you well in advance to find out how long it may take to get an appointment for your visa interview, and start your application process as early as possible. You should schedule your interview as soon as you have your documents, to allow time for the interview and visa processing, including any necessary security clearance. Most embassies now provide priority appointments for student visa applicants. You can look up the average wait time for your particular location on the State Department's website, at: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/wait/tempvisitors_wait.php.

The U.S. Embassy or Consulate can issue a student visa 120 days before the actual start of the program in the United States. (So, if your program starts on September 1, they can issue a visa as soon as May 1 - and you can apply even earlier.) However, even if you have already been issued a visa, you cannot enter the country more than 30 days before the start of your program for your initial entry to the United States. For example, if your program starts on September 1, you will need to wait until August 1 or later to enter the country, so you should make your travel plans accordingly. (Continuing students do not have this requirement.)

How do I apply for my student visa?

First, you will need to pay a $100 SEVIS fee (see www.FMJfee.com). Once you have received your I-20 or DS-2019 and paid the SEVIS processing fee, you need to schedule your visa interview with the U.S. Embassy and fill out the necessary visa application form. You will also need to pay the Visa Application Fee. Procedures and visa fee amounts differ by country, so check the website for your local U.S. Embassy. When you go for your visa interview, you will need to bring the following documents: receipts for payment of the SEVIS processing fee and visa application fee; I-20 or DS-2019 form; financial support documents; completed visa application forms; and a passport or other travel document which is valid for at least six months beyond the period you plan to stay in the United States.

How do I prepare for the interview?

During your interview, consular officers may ask you a variety of questions about your plans for your education, finances and career after college. These questions might seem personal or strange to you. They are designed to help the Consular officers determine whether you are a legitimate student with a realistic study plan, that you will be able to pay for your studies and support yourself financially while in the United States, and that you plan to return home after you finish your studies, which are the requirements of the non-immigrant student visa. You may wish to practice your answers with a friend or family member. Make sure you are on time for your interview, and be honest, direct, and polite.

I have my student visa to enter the United States. Now what?

Stay in contact with the admissions office or relevant academic department in the academic institution you have selected, to be sure you have completed all the steps and are prepared for your arrival and your studies. Once on campus, you should report immediately to the office that is responsible for assisting international students and scholars. This office must report your arrival within the SEVIS system, to validate your immigration status. They can also help you with any questions you may have about immigration regulations, and they can help you find your way around campus.

Now, enjoy your studies and your stay in the United States, and take the time to get to know your fellow students and explore the local community. America is made up of people from many different countries and host to more than half a million international students. Congratulations on becoming a part of this long tradition of study abroad in America.

The Institute of International Education (www.iie.org), a world leader in the international exchange of people and ideas, is an independent, nonprofit organization founded in 1919. With global headquarters in New York and 18 offices worldwide, IIE administers over 250 international education and training programs, including the Fulbright Program, the U.S. Government's premier public diplomacy initiative, which IIE administers for the U.S. Department of State.

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The Institute of International Education