Once you have been accepted as a student at a U.S. academic institution, you must obtain a visa before beginning your journey. Advance planning is important; be sure to get started on your preparations months before you want to begin your journey. Note: Workshops on how to complete the visa application process are offered in many countries by the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
After your acceptance to a college or university, and before you begin applying for a visa, your new school needs to send you the proper documentation that enrolls you in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). SEVIS is a Web-based information system that keeps track of foreign students and other exchange program participants, and allows information sharing among the various institutions and government agencies that students and exchange visitors are involved with during their journey to the United States and their stay in the country.
You must pay a fee to be enrolled in SEVIS, and you will need to retain your proof of payment for presentation during your visa interview at the U.S. embassy. The fee varies according to the type of study or exchange program you are participating in and the type of visa you are applying for. The SEVIS fee for most students is $200.
Next, make an appointment for a visa interview by contacting the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Visa processing procedures can vary, depending on the U.S. Embassy or Consulate, but all student visa
and exchange visitor visa applicants are given priority.
When you get an interview, you must assemble all the required documentation. This includes the payment receipt of the SEVIS fee, the visa-qualifying document supplied by your academic institution, financial support documents, the visa application processing fee and a properly completed visa application form. Also review the information provided on the embassy or consulate Web sites.
In applying for a visa, you need to be aware that the visa alone does not guarantee entry to the United States. With a visa, a foreign citizen is allowed to travel to a U.S. port of entry. Upon arrival there, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspector makes the decision about the individual’s admission into the country.
Types of Visas for Students and Exchange Visitors
F-1, or Student Visa: The visa for people who want to study at an accredited U.S. college or university, or to study English at a university or language institute.
J-1, or Exchange Visitor Visa: The visa issued to people who will be participating in an educational or cultural exchange program.
M-1, or Student Visa: The visa for those enrolled in nonacademic or vocational programs.
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Blog about U.S. Immigration Law, Enforcement, Policy, and the U.S. Border written by lawyers from the multi-national immigration law firm Millar & Smith. Our U.S. Immigration Attorneys serve clients from offices in Seattle, New York, Burnaby, Vancouver, Bellingham and Blaine.
Preparation and filing of forms and official documents is complex. The experienced U.S. immigration lawyers at the immigration law firm of Millar & Smith, PLLC can answer questions and provide expert advice and recommend strategies and provide full service representation. Services include all investor case E-1, E-2, EB-5, L-1A, L-1B, H-1, O-1, P-1, P-2, J-1, K-1, K-3, I-130, I-129F, Naturalization, Citizenship, U.S. Passports, Waiver cases, Criminal Issues, Deportation, Removal Proceedings, and all types of Green Cards.
Duncan Millar
Millar & Smith, PLLC Immigration Attorneys
Bellingham | Seattle | Vancouver | New York
www.usborderlaw.com
duncanm@usborderlaw.com
Direct: 604.634.3772
Main: 604.634.3769
USA: 360.734.5260
Licensed in Washington | B.C. Practitioner of U.S. law
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