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PREPARING FOR YOUR F-1 VISA INTERVIEW
This information is for people who plan to enter the United States
for the first time to study. For information on bringing dependents
to the U.S., returning to continue studies, or renewing your visa,
or for more details on how to apply for a student visa, refer to
the U.S. Department of State website, at:
http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1268.html
STEPS
1. Contact your local U.S. Consulate
or Embassy to ask about how to get an F-1 international student
visa. A list of Consulates and Embassies can be found at:
http://usembassy.state.gov/.
2. After you receive an I-20
form from the school that you want to attend, follow the U.S.
Embassy/ConsulateÕs instructions to schedule an interview for your
F-1 student visa. It is important to apply for your student visa
as far in advance as possible. Many consulates recommend that appointments
be made no more than 90 days from the intended date of travel, but
some can make earlier arrangements for interviews.
3. Complete the following forms:
(a) DS-156 Nonimmigrant Visa Application
Form.
(b) DS-158 Contact Information and
Work History for Nonimmigrant Visa Applicant.
(c) if a male between the ages of
16 and 45, DS-157 Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application.
4. Pay the visa application fee
by following instructions on your local U.S. embassy or consulateÕs
web site.
5. If your I-20
was issued on or after September 1, 2004, and is marked for ÒinitialÓ
attendance (see #3 on your I-20
form), you will also need to pay the $100 SEVIS fee
TO PAY BY MAIL
(a) Get a Form I-901 "Fee Remittance
for Certain F, J, and M Nonimmigrants."
-Download the form from www.FMJfee.com
OR
-Ask for the form by phone at 1-800-870-3676 (inside the US).
(b) Complete the Form I-901. Be
sure to write your name exactly how it appears on your I-20
form.
(c) Prepare a check, international
money order or foreign draft (drawn on US banks only1) in the amount
of $100 USD, made payable to "The Department of Homeland Security,
Immigration and Customs Enforcement."
(d) Mail the completed I-901 and
payment to the address listed on Form I-901.
(e) A Form I-797 receipt confirmation
letter should be mailed within 3 days of processing the fee. Be
sure to make copies of this receipt letter, and keep it with your
other important immigration documents.
TO PAY ONLINE
(a) Find the Form I-901 at [insert
website]
(b) Complete the form online and
supply the necessary Visa, MasterCard or American Express information.
*Be sure to write your name exactly how it appears on your I-20
form.
(c) Print a copy of the online receipt.
(d) Be sure to make copies of your
receipt, and keep it with your other important immigration documents.
You must bring the receipt of fee payment with you to the interview.
If you have lost the receipt, the Visa Officer should be able to
view your payment history in his or her database.
If you are transferring schools, extending your program, applying
for an F-2 dependent visa, or have paid this fee and been denied
a visa within the last twelve months, you do not need to pay the
$100 SEVIS fee.
6. Prepare and bring to your visa
interview the following:
(a) A passport valid for at least
six months
(b) Form
I-20 (sign the form under Item 11)
(c) School admission letter.
(d) Completed visa applications
(DS-156, DS-158, and, if applicable, DS-157)
(e) Two 2"x 2" photographs
in the prescribed format (see the travel.state.gov website)
(f) A receipt for the visa application
fee.
(g) A receipt for the SEVIS fee.
If you have not received an official receipt in the mail showing
payment and you paid the fee electronically, the consulate will
accept the temporary receipt you printed from your computer. If
you do not have a receipt, the consulate may be able to see your
payment electronically if your fee payment was processed at least
3 business days before your interview.
(h) Financial evidence that shows
you have sufficient funds to cover your tuition and living expenses
during the period you intend to study.
(i) Any information that proves
that you will return to your home country after finishing your studies
in the U.S. This may include proof of property, family, or other
ties to your community.
7. Remain calm and answer all the
Visa Officer's questions to you openly and honestly.
If you have any questions, please contact Gerry Thiemann at conversa@iac.net.
1Many foreign banks are able to issue checks or money orders drawn
on a U.S. bank. You may therefore obtain a check from:
1) a bank chartered or operated in the United States;
b) a foreign subsidiary of a U.S. bank, or
c) a foreign bank that has an arrangement with a U.S. bank to issue
a check, money order, or foreign draft that is drawn on a U.S. bank
Also, please go to this website for information from the US Government
about student visas: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1268.html
If these copies are legible you may send them by fax to 1-513-665-3792
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