Before you can come to the United States to participate in an academic program, you will need to obtain a Schedule an appointment for a US visa for a Student visa. To ensure a smooth application process, every applicant will need to complete a number of processes and documents before they can receive a US visa appointment for a student visa. This article gives you a complete guide on how to apply, get a favorable appointment date and get your student visa.
Enroll in a US College or University of your choice
The first step to get a US visa appointment for student visa is to apply to a US college or university. The sooner you apply, the better. You can start your research by searching for potential universities that best suit your personal and professional goals.
It is important to ensure that the College is accredited by the Student and Visitor Exchange Program (SEVP). Once you have been admitted to an American university, you can begin the visa application process. You must get your visa before the program officially begins. For instance, J-1 students have the ability to apply for exchange programs through their home institution. You can also search online for designated sponsoring organizations at the official J-1 visa website.
Get the School’s I-20 or DS-2019 form
Once admitted to a school, you will receive one of two forms: F-1 and M-1 students will receive an I-20 (Certificate of Nonimmigrant Student Status). J-1 students will receive form DS -2019 (Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor status). Your school will send you the appropriate application form. The form will contain the SEVIS code, school address, and other necessary program information.
Payment of I-901 SEVIS fees
Upon receipt of the I-20 form, you will be required to pay the I-901 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee. F-1 and M-1 visa applicants must pay $200; This fee is required for all student visa applicants and is used to cover the cost of processing each application. To pay the I-901SEVIS fee, you will need to provide the following information, so make sure to collect the required forms before starting the process:
- Your name, date of birth and address
- Your email
- Your country of birth and citizenship
- School code on form I-20
- SEVIS identification number provided on form I-20
Since you must bring proof of payment to your visa interview, you must print a payment confirmation page. It is important to note that the SEVIS I-901 fee is different from the visa application fee you will have to pay later in the application process.
Start Your US Visa Application for a Student Visa
Now that you have completed your admission, it’s time to start preparing to apply for a US visa. Any intended international student will make an appointment for a U.S. visa to obtain a student visa at the U.S. embassy or consulate in their country of origin. You can search for US embassies and consulates online through This website of the United States Department of State. Please note that US student visa procedures may vary slightly depending on the embassy you have applied to. The embassy or consulate will tell you the country or visa specific requirements for your application.
Complete Form DS-160 Online
Completing the DS-160 online application is the step towards getting a US visa interview appointment for a student visa. Here, you have to enter a lot of personal data (name, address, nationality, etc.) and answer questions about your health and criminal background. You also need to upload a photo. If you are renewing your passport, you must do so before you begin filing the DS-160, as the passport number must match the number you bring to the interview.
Schedule your visa interview and pay the application fee
In general, all U.S. visa applicants will need to attend an interview with a consular officer at a U.S. embassy or consulate. You will also have to pay a visa application fee of $160. These fees are the same, regardless of your country of origin and where you are registered. Please note that some embassies will require you to pay this fee prior to attending the interview, while others will not. Your embassy will inform you when and how you will have to pay the visa application fee. If your embassy requires you to pay these fees before the interview, get the receipt as proof of payment.
Make an appointment for a US visa to apply for a student visa
You will schedule a US visa appointment for a student visa during the online application process. After successfully completing the DS-160, you will be allowed to schedule an appointment for a US student visa interview. The sooner you book your appointment, the quicker you will be interviewed. This is important because you cannot enter the United States without a visa. And if your back-to-school date is near, any delay could result in missing out on some academic activities.
How to get an expedited appointment for a US visa for a student visa
Waiting times for appointments at different U.S. embassies and consulates can vary, depending on the workload at each location. It is possible that the earliest date available for a US visa appointment for a student visa will be too far away to match your resumption date. In such a situation, you can apply for an urgent appointment. You will need to provide proof that you will resume your studies on a specific date and that there are no regular visa appointments during that period. Your original DS-2019 or I-120 form will be required as supporting evidence.
Attend your US Visa appointment to apply for a Student Visa
Whether you get your appointment through the regular app or the express app, you’ll be provided with a date, time, and location for your interview. The interview is the final stage in your US student visa appointment process. It’s important to be well prepared for it as your performance can make or break the whole process.
During the interview, you will answer a series of questions. These questions will mainly focus on why you want to study at your chosen school and what you plan to do at the end of the program. It is important to clarify that you do not intend to stay in the United States after completing it. If your interview is ultimately successful, the consulate will inform you when and how to return your passport with visa.
Pay visa fee (if necessary)
Depending on your country of origin, you may have to pay an issuance fee to receive your visa in the end. Some countries have visa reciprocal agreements with the United States. Citizens of these countries do not have to pay a visa fee. If your country does not have such an agreement, you will be charged a fee.
Get your visa and travel to the USA
If your application is approved at the end of the interview, you will receive your passport and visa within a few working days after the interview. This is the time to start making your travel plans. You can book flights and arrange other activities for the trip.
Upon arrival in the United States, you will undergo several immigration checks with US Customs and Border Protection officers. If you are granted entry by the officer, you will be allowed to enter the United States on a nonimmigrant student visa and begin your program of study.
US Visa Appointment documents to apply for a Student Visa
Just like every visa application, you will need certain documents to process your US visa appointment for a student visa. Keep in mind that the documents may vary, depending on the embassy or consulate in charge of your application. So you will need to check with them to be sure of what is required of you. In any case, however, the following are some general supporting documents for a US student visa application.
- your passport
- A copy of the visa photo
- Printed DS-160 confirmation page
- Printed I-901 SEVIS fee confirmation page
- Receipt for payment of visa application fee
- Form I-20 for F-1/M-1 students or Form DS-2019 for J-1 students (make sure to bring the original form, not a copy)
Your particular embassy may require additional forms and documents, such as:
- Official transcript of college/university attended
- Degrees/diplomas from schools/college/universities attended
- Standardized test results (if required by your US school)
- Proof of enough money
- Proof of family or economic ties that show you intend to leave the United States at the end of the program