USA: VISAS AND APPLYING

UNIVERSITY AND COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS

All international students wishing to study within the USA must apply for a student visa. Before students apply for a visa, they must have been accepted to study full-time at an educational institution approved by the US Citizenship and Immigration Service. For a full list of accredited universities and colleges click here.

Students will need to apply directly to the colleges or universities they are interested in by completing an application form. Application forms can be obtained by contacting the admission offices of the universities or colleges. Each college and university will have different admissions criteria. However, the list below gives an indication as to what most institutions will require from international student applicants:

  • Application form
  • Application fees (US$35 - $50)
  • Transcripts
  • Financial Documents
  • Standardized Test Scores
  • Letter of Recommendation
  • Application Essay

Students should always be advised to make a copy of everything they fill out and send off for their own reference and protection.

VISA APPLICATION PROCESS

Once a university or college has determined an application is complete and if a student is successful, they will issue the student with an I-20 or DS-2019 form to enable them to apply for a student visa. It is important to note that students cannot apply for a visa until they have received this form.

As soon as a student has received their I-20 or DS-2019 form they should contact their nearest U.S Embassy or Consulate in order to arrange an interview time. The waiting times for an interview appointment can vary, so early application is strongly encouraged. The U.S government website offers full listings for estimated wait times for interview appointments for each U.S. Embassy or Consulate worldwide.

Students will also need to decide which type of student visa they will be applying for. There are three types of student visa, however, the most common visa status for full time international students is the F-1 visa.

F-1

Issued to students who are attending an academic program or English language program. F-1 students must maintain the minimum course load for full-time student status.

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J-1

A J-1 visa is issued to a student who needs to obtain practical training, which is not available in their home country, to complete their academic program.

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M-1

An M-1 visa is issued to a student who is going to attend a non-academic or vocational school.

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Although individual consulates may require additional materials, all applicants for a student visa must provide the following at their interview:

  • A visa application Form DS-156, completed and signed. These forms are free at all U.S. consular offices.
  • An I-20 or DS-2019 Form signed by the student.
  • A passport valid for at least six months after a student’s proposed date of entry into the United States.
  • One photograph, 1 and 1/2 inches square (37x37mm), showing full face, without head covering, against a light background.
  • Standardized Test Scores
  • Letter of Recommendation
  • Application Essay

Students will also have to pay a non-refundable application fee.

If an applicant is successful, they can stay in the United States for as long as they are enrolled as a full-time student in an educational program and making progress toward completing a course of study. If approved, they may be allowed to stay in the U.S up to twelve months after completing their studies to pursue practical training.

We aim to keep this information as current as possible. However, regular changes are made to the immigration rules, so it advisable to check regularly with the Immigration Agency: www.uscis.gov