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International Office

Step Two

Applying for a Student Visa at a U.S. Consulate Abroad

Once you have your F-1 I-20 or J-1 DS-2019, contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate to schedule your visa appointment. Per the U.S. Department of State: Embassies strongly encourage intending travelers to apply for visas well in advance of their proposed journey, and to always refrain from making irrevocable travel plans until the visa has been issued and they are in receipt of their passport and visa. A list of U.S. embassies and consulates can be found here. Refer to information on ‘non immigrant visas’. Please read the application information carefully and plan to apply early. Increased security and background checks may delay the issuance of your visa which makes it important to submit a competed application at your appointment.

In general, a visa application requires:

  • A passport
  • Visa application form (DS156, DS157 and DS158 as required)
  • An eligibility document; either an F-1 I-20 or J-1 DS2019
  • Proof of funding to cover your academic program and living expenses
  • Photographs (see visa application for correct size)
  • Payment of visa application fee
  • Receipt showing payment of SEVIS fee.

 

As noted above, as part of the visa application process you will be required to pay the visa application fee and the new SEVIS fee.  Please note that if you are applying for visas for your F-2 or J-2 dependent, they are required to pay the visa application fee but NOT the SEVIS fee. Information on paying the visa application fee will be included with your application information. Additional information on how to pay the SEVIS fee may be found here. You may choose to pay using the internet or by mailing in your application.  This fee must be paid prior to your visa appointment. If you have any questions regarding this fee payment, please contact us.

Once the visa has been issued the student must enter the U.S. no earlier than 30 days before and no later than 30 days after the start date of the program as noted in box number 5 of the F-1 I-20, or box number 3 of the J-1 DS2019 document. When entering the U.S. the following must be presented:

  • A passport valid at least 6 months in the future
  • A valid F-1 or J-1 visa
  • An eligibility document; either an F-1 I-20 or J-1 DS2019
  • Proof of funding
  • Verification of acceptance into your TSRI graduate program