Student Visa

To apply for an F or M visa, you must pay your application fee and submit the following:

• A Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-160) Form. Visit the DS-160 web page for more information about the DS-160.
• A passport valid for travel to the United States with a validity date at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the United States (unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions). If more than one person is included in your passport, each person desiring a visa must submit an application.
• One 2 x 2-inch (51 x 51 mm) photograph taken within the last six months. This web page has information about the required photo format.
• A receipt showing payment of your non-refundable nonimmigrant visa application processing fee paid in local currency.
• If a visa is issued, there may be an additional visa issuance reciprocity fee, depending on your nationality. The Department of State's website can help you find out if you must pay a visa issuance reciprocity fee and what the fee amount is.
• An approved original signed Form I-20 from your U.S. school or program.
• 10-year travel history.
• List of siblings and children.
• SEVIS Fees: All applicants for F1, M1, and J1 visas are required to pay the I-901 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) Fee before scheduling the appointment, except for applicants participating in a U.S. Government sponsored program (programs whose codes begin with G-1, G-2, G-3, G-7).

In addition to these items, you must present an interview appointment letter confirming that you booked an appointment through this service. You may also bring whatever supporting documents you believe support the information provided to the consular officer.

Supporting documents are only one of many factors a consular officer will consider in your interview. Consular officers look at each application individually and consider professional, social, cultural and other factors during adjudication. Consular officers may look at your specific intentions, family situation, and your long-range plans and prospects within your country of residence. Each case is examined individually and is accorded every consideration under the law.

Caution: Do not present false documents. Fraud or misrepresentation can result in permanent visa ineligibility. If confidentiality is a concern, please know that the U.S. Embassy or Consulate will not make your true information available to anyone and will respect the confidentiality of your information.

You should bring the following documents to your interview:

Documents demonstrating strong financial, social, and family ties to your home country that will compel you to return to your country after your program of study in the United States ends.

Financial and any other documents you believe will support your application and which give credible evidence that you have enough readily-available funds to meet all expenses for the first year of study and that you have access to funds sufficient to cover all expenses while you remain in the United States. M-1 applicants must demonstrate the ability to pay all tuition and living costs for the entire period of their intended stay.

Photocopies of bank statements will not be accepted unless you can also show original copies of bank statements or original bank books.

If you are financially sponsored by another person, bring proof of your relationship to the sponsor (such as your birth certificate), the sponsor's most recent original tax forms and the sponsor's bankbooks and/or fixed deposit certificates.

Academic documents that show scholastic preparation. Useful documents include school transcripts (original copies are preferred) with grades, public examination certificates (A-levels, etc.), standardized test scores (SAT, TOEFL, etc.), and diplomas.

Supporting Documents for Dependents

Applicants with dependents must also provide:

Proof of the student's relationship to his or her spouse and/or child (e.g., marriage and birth certificates)

It is preferred that families apply for their visas at the same time, but if the spouse and/or child must apply separately at a later time, they should bring a copy of the student visa holder's passport and visa, along with all other required documents.