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US visas: what you need to have
The US is home to many of the world’s top universities and offers a varied and exciting place in which to study. But before you can take your bite out of the American pie you will need to get a visa. QS Top Universities looks at visa requirements to study abroad in the US.
Unless you are a US citizen, you will need a student visa in order to study in the US. The US tag line on immigration and visa policy is ‘Closed Borders, Open Doors.’ Since the September 11 attacks the borders are more firmly closed than ever and the doors are increasingly harder to get through. However, with due diligence and a little planning, it is possible to complete the necessary applications, obtain a US Student Visa and become an international student at a top US university.
The first thing to know about obtaining a student visa is that it is a long slow process and can take months of planning. Almost all visa applications will involve an interview with a consular officer at the US embassy in your country of residence. The consular officer will assess your eligibility for a visa as well as verifying your intent to return home after you have finished your period of study (rather than stay in the US.) You will not be granted a visa if, in the judgment of the consular officer, you have not met all of the necessary criteria.
Contact your nearest US Embassy or consulate at www.usembassy.gov for details on approximate wait time for appointments and visas as well as what you are allowed to bring with you when you visit the embassy.
Types of Visa:
There are three types of visa for studying in the US: F-1, M-1 and J-1.
F-1, or non-immigrant student visa: This visa is for international students who want to study at an accredited US college or university or who wish to study English at a university or intensive English language institute.
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 US.
J-1, or exchange visitor: This visa is for people who will be participating in a foreign exchange program in the US. Study in the US is usually for a short period of time of only one or two semesters.
For all visa applications, you will need to submit a SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) generated document (either an I-20 or DS-2019), which is provided to you by your school. Your school is responsible for entering your information for the I-20/DS-2019 form into SEVIS once you have been academically admitted to the institution or accepted as a participant in a foreign exchange program. You and your school official must sign the I-20 form. Students will also have to pay an SEVIS I-901 fee for each program of study.
Visa costs:
The visa application cost is $131 per person (payable by the principle applicant, their spouse and/or dependents wishing to travel with them.)
There may also be an additional ‘reciprocal’ fee on top of this. Check the following link for a country by country list of fees: www.travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/reciprocity/reciprocity_3272.html
The SEVIS I-901 is currently priced at $100 per principle applicant (not applicable to spouse or dependents). There is however a move in place to increase this fee to $200 for F and M non-immigrants and $180 for most J exchange visitors.
What to bring to your interview:
You must provide the following in your interview with the consular officer:
· Visa-qualifying document (I-20 or DS-2019)
· A completed application, Non-immigrant Visa Applicant (Form DS-156), together with a Form DS-158. Both forms must be completed and signed. Some applicants will also be required to complete and sign Form DS-157
· A completed visa application form
· A Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee receipt to show payment of the visa application fee.
· A ‘reciprocal’ fee receipt (if applicable)
· A separate SEVIS I-901 fee receipt
· A passport valid for travel to the US and with a validity date at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the US
· One (1) 2x2 photograph. See travel.state.gov/visa/temp/info/info_1287.html for photo requirements
You may also have to provide:
· Transcripts and diplomas from previous institutions attended
· Scores from standardized tests required by the educational institution such as the TOEFL, SAT, GRE, GMAT, etc.
· Financial evidence that shows you or your parents who are sponsoring you have sufficient funds to cover your tuition and living expenses during the period of your intended study
During the visa interview, an ink-free, digital fingerprint scan will be taken as well as a digital photo.
No assurances regarding the issuance of visas can be given in advance. Therefore final travel plans or the purchase of non-refundable tickets should not be made until a visa has been issued.
Study Abroad