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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 for Student Visas.
Seven-Step Process
STEP 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/.
STEP 2:
After you receive an I-20
form from the school that you want to attend, follow the U.S.
Embassy/Consulate's 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.
STEP 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.
STEP 4: Pay the visa application fee by following instructions on your
local U.S. embassy or consulate's web site.
STEP 5: If your I-20 was issued on or after September 1, 2004, and is
marked for "initial" 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."
(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 only) in the amount of US$100, made payable to "The Department of
Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement."
NOTE:
Many
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
(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
www.fmjfee.com.
(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.
STEP 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
(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.
STEP 7: Remain calm and answer all the Visa Officer's questions to you
openly and honestly.
If you
have any questions, please contact UC Davis' Services for International
Students and Scholars (SISS) at
siss@ucdavis.edu.
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