Janice Lozano
International students who wish to study in the United States must obtain a student visa. The type of visa required depends on the nature of the course and the institution. Students must first apply to a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-approved school, and upon acceptance, they will receive a Form I-20 and be registered for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Students must then pay the SEVIS I-901 fee and apply for their visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. There are several types of student visas, including F-1, M-1, and J-1, each with different requirements and restrictions. Students must ensure they meet the eligibility criteria, which includes demonstrating English proficiency, having sufficient funds, and maintaining a residence abroad. The visa application process can vary, so students should allow ample time and carefully follow the instructions provided by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Student visa types | F-1, M-1, J-1 |
| Student visa requirements | Enrolment in a full-time academic, language-training or vocational program at a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school |
| Application process | Apply to a SEVP-approved school, receive Form I-20, pay SEVIS I-901 fee, apply at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate for a student visa, attend a visa interview |
| Visa interview requirements | Form I-20, passport, visa photograph, travel itinerary, record of international travel history |
| Visa fees | Non-refundable visa application fee, visa issuance fee (depending on nationality) |
| Visa validity | Issued up to 365 days before the start date of the course, entry into the U.S. permitted up to 30 days before the start date |
| Work eligibility | Off-campus employment must be related to the area of study and authorized by the Designated School Official and USCIS |
| Dependents | Spouse and/or children must enrol in SEVIS, obtain Form I-20, and apply for a visa |
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What You'll Learn
Enrolling in an SEVP-approved school
To enrol in an SEVP-approved school, you must first gain admission to an SEVP-approved school in the United States. Once the SEVP-approved school accepts your enrolment, you will be registered for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee.
The SEVP-approved school will then issue you a Form I-20. This form is crucial for your visa application process and must be presented to the consular officer when you attend your visa interview. If your spouse and/or children will be living with you in the United States during your studies, they must also obtain individual Form I-20s from the SEVP-approved school and apply for their visas, although they are exempt from paying the SEVIS fee.
After receiving the Form I-20 and registering in SEVIS, you may proceed to apply for a student visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. It is important to note that wait times for interview appointments vary, so it is advisable to apply for your visa early. New students can obtain a student (F or M) visa up to 365 days before the start date of their course, but entry into the United States on this visa is permitted no earlier than 30 days before the course commences.
Continuing students enrolled at an SEVP-approved school and registered in SEVIS may obtain a student visa at any time and enter the United States whenever they need to before classes start. Additionally, if you are already in the United States on a visitor (B) visa, you must apply to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for a change of status to student (M) status before your programme commences.
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Applying for a change of status
If you are already in the United States on a nonimmigrant visa for a purpose other than attending school and want to change your status to become a student, you must meet certain criteria and submit an application with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to change your nonimmigrant status.
Firstly, you must apply to and gain acceptance from a U.S. Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school. You must also obtain an initial Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, from the SEVP-certified school. The Designated School Official (DSO) should give change of status in the Issue Reason section of the Form I-20. You must then pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee.
Next, file a Form I-539, "Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status," with USCIS. Read the instructions carefully to ensure that your nonimmigrant classification is eligible for a change of status. Not all nonimmigrant classifications are allowed to change to student status. If you are changing from B-1/B-2 status to F or M student status, do not enrol in or begin your studies until USCIS has approved your change of status.
If you are an M-1 student, you may not change to F status while you are in the United States. If you would like to attend school as an F-1 student, you will need to leave the country, apply to an SEVP-certified school, and receive a new Form I-20. You will also need to apply for a new visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate, if applicable.
While you are in the United States, receiving a change of status from USCIS does not require you to apply for a new visa. However, once you depart the United States, you must apply for a new visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the appropriate category for your travel. There is no guarantee you will be issued a visa.
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Paying the visa application fee
To apply for an international student visa in the USA, you will need to pay the I-901 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee. This is a mandatory step in the process of obtaining your student visa. Here is some detailed information about paying the visa application fee:
Paying the SEVIS Fee:
Firstly, you will need to receive your Form I-20, also known as the "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status." This form will be provided by your designated school official (DSO) after you have been accepted into a SEVP-approved school in the United States. Once you have received your Form I-20, you must pay the SEVIS fee before applying for your U.S. student visa. The SEVIS fee is paid separately from the visa application fee and is required for the registration of international students in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program.
Payment Methods:
You can pay the SEVIS fee online at FMJfee.com or by using Western Union Quick Pay. Make sure to retain the receipt as proof of payment, as you will need to present it when you apply for your visa. It is important to ensure that the SEVIS ID number on your payment receipt matches the SEVIS ID number on your Form I-20. In case of any issues or discrepancies with the fee payment, you can contact SEVP for assistance.
Timing of Payment:
It is recommended to initiate the visa application process early, as wait times for interview appointments can vary. New students can receive their student visas up to 365 days before the start date of their course, but they cannot enter the United States more than 30 days in advance. Continuing students can obtain their visas at any time, provided they are enrolled at a SEVP-approved school and registered in SEVIS.
Additional Fees:
In addition to the SEVIS fee, there may be other costs associated with obtaining your student visa. You may be required to pay a non-refundable visa application fee before your interview. Furthermore, if your visa is approved, there may be a visa issuance fee, depending on your nationality. Therefore, it is essential to review the specific requirements and cost structure for your country of origin.
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Submitting the required documents
To apply for an international student visa in the USA, you will need to submit several documents. The first step is to apply to a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-approved school in the United States. Once accepted, you will be registered for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and will need to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee. The school will then issue you a Form I-20, which you must present during your visa interview.
Form I-20 is a Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status. This form will be sent to you by your school once they have entered your information into the SEVIS database. Both you and your school official must sign this form. If your spouse and/or minor children will be living with you in the United States, they will each need to obtain their own Form I-20 from the SEVP-approved school, but they do not need to pay the SEVIS fee.
In addition to Form I-20, you will need to submit other documents as part of your visa application. This includes a passport that is valid for travel to the United States and for at least six months beyond your period of stay. You will also need to upload a photo while completing the online Form DS-160. If the photo upload fails, you must bring a printed photo that meets the specified requirements.
It is important to note that you may also be required to pay a non-refundable visa application fee before your interview, and if your visa is approved, you may need to pay an additional visa issuance fee depending on your nationality. Wait times for interview appointments vary, so it is recommended to apply for your visa early.
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Maintaining student status
To maintain your student status while studying in the United States, you must fulfil the purpose for which your visa was issued and follow all associated regulations. This means that you must be enrolled as a full-time student for the entire duration of your course.
If you have an F-1 visa, you must be enrolled in an "academic" educational program, a language-training program, or a similar course at an accredited college, university, high school, or other academic institution. For M-1 visas, students are expected to enrol in vocational or other non-academic programs.
Regardless of your visa type, you must maintain a residence abroad with no intention of giving it up and have sufficient funds available for self-support throughout your studies.
Additionally, when arriving in the United States, you must enter no more than 30 days before your program starts. You must then contact your designated school official (DSO) and inform them of your arrival. When you arrive at your school, you need to contact your DSO again, no later than the program start date listed on your Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status."
During your studies, you must attend all your classes and maintain normal academic progress. If you are struggling, speak with your DSO immediately. You must also maintain a full course load each term. If you cannot study full-time, contact your DSO.
Finally, once you complete your program, you have a set number of days to either leave the United States or take action to maintain your legal status. F-1 students have 60 days, while M-1 students have 30 days. If you wish to extend your stay, you can talk to your DSO about options such as transferring to another school or changing your education level.
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Frequently asked questions
The student visas available for international students in the USA are F-1, M-1, and J-1.
You must be enrolled as a full-time student at an institution, be proficient in English or be enrolled in courses that lead to English proficiency, have sufficient funds for self-support during your studies, and maintain a residence abroad which you have no intention of giving up.
First, you must be admitted to a US-based university or a SEVP-approved school. After receiving your Form I-20, you must pay the I-901 SEVIS fee before applying for your US student visa. Then, you can apply at a US Embassy or Consulate for your student visa.
Yes, students with F-1, M-1, or J-1 visas may be eligible to work in the USA. However, the work must be related to the student's area of study and must be authorized by the Designated School Official and USCIS.
