.S. Department of State [b]Bureau of Consular Affairs [b]Visa Services [b][b]Student Visas [b]Students are Encouraged to Apply Early [b][b]Student Applicants (for F-1 and M-1 visas) - Overview [b][b]If you are going to the U.S. primarily for tourism, but want to take a [b]short course of study of less than 18 hours per week, you may be able to do [b]so do so on a tourist visa. You should inquire at the appropriate [b]U.S.Embassy or Consulate. [b][b]If your course of study is more than 18 hours a week, you will need a [b]student visa. Please read this information for general information on how [b]to apply for an F1 or M1 student visa. For additional student related [b]information, select Guide to U.S Higher Education to visit the Department [b]of State, Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs website to learn about [b]educational opportunities for undergraduate and graduate study,opportunties [b]for scholars, financial aid, testing, admissions, and much more. [b][b]In most countries, first time student visa applicants are required to [b]appear for an in-person interview. However, each embassy and consulate sets [b]its own interview policies and procedures regarding student visas. Students [b]should consult Embassy web sites or call for specific application [b]instructions. [b][b]Keep in mind that June, July, and August are the busiest months in most [b]consular sections, and interview appointments are the most difficult to get [b]during that period. Students need to plan ahead to avoid having to make [b]repeat visits to the Embassy. To the extent possible, students should bring [b]the documents suggested below, as well as any other documents that might [b]help establish their ties to the local community. [b][b]Changes introduced shortly after September 11, 2001 involve extensive and [b]ongoing review of visa issuing practices as they relate to our national [b]security. It is important to apply for your visa well in advance of your [b]travel departure date. [b][b]When Do I Need to Apply for My Student Visa? [b][b]Students are encouraged to apply for their visa early to provide ample time [b]for visa processing. Students may apply for their visa as soon as they are [b]prepared to do so. [b][b]The consular officer may need to get special clearances depending on the [b]course of study and nationality of the student. This can take some [b]additional time. For more information on applicants who may have additional [b]processing requirements see Special Processing Requirements. [b][b]Students should note that Embassies and Consulates are able to issue your [b]student visa 90 days or less, in advance of the course of study [b]registration date. If you apply for your visa more than 90 days prior to [b]your start date or registration date as provided on the Form I-20, the [b]Embassy or Consulate will hold your application until it is able to issue [b]the visa. Consular officials will use that extra time to accomplish any of [b]the necessary special clearances or other processes that may be required. [b][b]Students are advised of the Department of Homeland Security regulation [b]which requires that all initial or beginning students enter the U.S. 30 [b]days or less in advance of the course of study start/report date as shown [b]on the Form I-20. Please consider this date carully when making travel [b]plans to the U.S. [b][b]A student who wants to an earlier entry in the U.S. (more than 30 days [b]prior to the course start date), must qualify for, and obtain a visitor [b]visa. A prospective student notation will be shown on his/her visitor visa [b]and the traveler will need to make the intent to study clear to the U.S. [b]immigration inspector at port of entry. Bore beginning any studies, he or [b]she must obtain a change of classification, filing Form I-506, Application [b]for Change of Nonimmigrant Status, and also submit the required Form I-20 [b]to the Department of Homeland Security office where the application is [b]made. Please be aware that there is an additional fee of $140 for this [b]process, and that one may not begin studies until the change of [b]classification is approved. [b][b]What is Needed to Apply for a Student Visa? [b][b]It is important to remember that applying early and providing the requested [b]documents does not guarantee that the student will receive a visa. Also, [b]because each student’s personal and academic situation is different, two [b]students applying for same visa may be asked different questions and be [b]required to submit different documents. For that reason, the guidelines [b]that follow are general and can be abridged or expanded by consular [b]officers overseas, depending on each student's situation. [b][b]All applicants for a student visa must provide: [b][b]A Form I-20 obtained from a U.S. college, school or university. Please be [b]sure to give us all four pages of the I-20 form. The form must also be [b]signed by you and by a school official in the appropriate places; [b][b]An application Form DS-156, together with a Form DS-158. Both forms must be [b]completed and signed. Some applicants will also be required to complete and [b]sign Form DS-157. A separate form is needed for children, even if they are [b]included in aparent's passport. The DS-156 must be the February 2003 date, [b]either the electronic "e-form application" or the non-electronic version. [b]Select Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form DS-156 to access both versions of [b]the DS-156. You may also check with the Embassy Consular Section where you [b]will apply to determine if the hard-copy blank DS-156 form is available, [b]should you need it. [b][b]A passport valid for at least six months after your proposed date of entry [b]into the United States; [b][b]One (1) 2x2 photograph. See the required photo format explained in [b]nonimmigrant photograph requirements. [b][b]A receipt for visa processing fee. A receipt showing payment of the visa [b]application fee for each applicant, including each child listed in a [b]parent’s passport who is also applying for a U.S. visa, is needed; [b][b]All applicants should be prepared to provide: [b][b]Transcripts and diplomas from previous institutions attended; [b][b]Scores from standardized tests required by the educational institution such [b]as the TOEFL, SAT, GRE, GMAT, etc.; [b][b]Financial evidence that shows you or your parents who are sponsoring you [b]have sufficient funds to cover your tuition and living expenses during the [b]period of your intended study. For example, if you or your sponsor is a [b]salaried employee, please bring income tax documents and original bank [b]books and/or statements. If you or your sponsor own a business, please [b]bring business registration, licenses,etc., and tax documents, as well as [b]original bank books and/or statements. [b][b]Applicants with dependents must also provide: [b][b]Proof of the student’s relationship to his/her spouse and/or children [b](e.g., marriage and birth certificates.) [b][b]It is prerred that families apply for F-1 and F-2 visas at the same time, [b]but if the spouse and children must apply separately at a later time, they [b]should bring a copy of the student visa holder’s passport and visa, along [b]with all other required documents. [b][b]What Items Does a Returning Student Need? [b][b]All applicants applying for renewals must submit: [b][b]A passport valid for at least six months; [b][b]An application Form DS-156, together with a Form DS-158. Both forms must be [b]completed and signed. Some applicants will also be required to complete and [b]sign Form DS-157. Blank forms are available without charge at all U.S. [b]consular offices and on the Visa Services website under Visa Applications [b]Forms; [b][b]A receipt for visa processing fee. A receipt showing payment of the visa [b]application fee for each applicant, including each child listed in a [b]parent's passport who is also applying for a U.S. visa, is needed; [b][b]A new I-20 or an I-20 that has been endorsed on the back by a school [b]official within the past 12 months; [b][b]All applicants applying for renewals should be prepared to submit: [b][b]A certified copy of your grades from the school in which you are enrolled; [b][b]Financial documents from you or your sponsor, showing your ability to cover [b]the cost of your schooling. [b][b]How long may I stay on my F-1 student visa? [b][b]When you enter the United States on a student visa, you will usually be [b]admitted for the duration of your student status. That means you may stay [b]as long as you are a full time student, even if the F-1 visa in your [b]passport expires while you are in America. For a student who has completed [b]the course of studies shown on the I-20, and any authorized practical [b]training, the student is allowed the following additional time in the U.S. [b]bore departure: [b][b]F-1 student - An additional 60 days, to prepare for departure from the U.S. [b]or to transfer to another school. [b][b]M-1 student - An additional 30 days to depart the U.S. (Fixed time period, [b]in total not to exceed one year). The 30 days to prepare for departure is [b]permitted as long as the student maintained a full course of study and [b]maintained status. An M student may receive extensions up to three years [b]for the total program. [b][b]As an example regarding duration of status, if you have a visa that is [b]valid for five years that will expire on January 1, 2001, and you are [b]admitted into the U.S. for the duration of your studies (often abbreviated [b]in your passport or on your I-94 card as "D/S"), you may stay in the U.S. [b]as long as you are a full time student. Even if January 1, 2001 passes and [b]your visa expires while in America,you will still be in legal student [b]status. However, if you depart the U.S. with an expired visa, you will need [b]to obtain a new one bore being able to return to America and resume your [b]studies. A student visa cannot be renewed or re-issued in the United [b]States; it must be done at an Embassy or Consulate abroad. [b][b]Public School [b][b]There are certain restrictions on attending public school in the U.S. [b]Persons who violate these restrictions may not receive another visa for a [b]period of five years. [b][b]The restrictions apply only to students holding F-1 visas. They do not [b]apply to students attending public school on derivative visas, such as F-2, [b]J-2 or H-4 visas. The restrictions also do not apply to students attending [b]private schools on F-1 visas. [b][b]The restrictions are: [b][b]Students who attend public high schools in the U.S. are limited to twelve [b]months of study. Public school attendance in the U.S. prior to November 30, [b]1996 does not count toward this limit. [b][b]F-1 visas can no longer be issued to attend public elementary or middle [b]schools(Kindergarten - 8th grade) or publicly-funded adult education [b]programs. [b][b]Bore an F-1 visa for a public school can be issued, the student must show [b]that the public school in the U.S. has been reimbursed for the full, [b]unsubsidized per capita cost of the education as calculated by the school. [b]Reimbursement may be indicated on the I-20. Consular officers may request [b]copies of canceled checks and/or receipts confirming the payment as needed. [b][b]April 2003
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