When Do I Need to Apply for My Student Visa?

Students are encouraged to apply for their visa early to provide ample time for visa processing. Students may apply for their visa as soon as they are prepared to do so.

The consular officer may need to get special clearances depending on the course of study and nationality of the student. This can take some additional time. For more information on applicants who may have additional processing requirements see Special Processing Requirements.

What is Needed to Apply for a Student Visa?

As part of the visa application process, an interview at the embassy consular section is required for visa applicants from age 14 through 79. Persons age 13 and younger, and age 80 and older, generally do not require an interview, unless requested by embassy or consulate.

The waiting time for an interview appointment for applicants can vary, so early visa application is strongly encouraged It is important to remember that applying early and providing the requested documents does not guarantee that the student will receive a visa. Visa wait times for interview appointments and visa processing time information for each U.S. Embassy or Consulate worldwide is available on our website at Visa Wait Times , and on most embassy websites. During the visa application process, usually at the interview, an ink-free, digital fingerprint scan will be quickly taken. Some applicants will need additional screening, and will be notified when they apply.

Because each student’s personal and academic situation is different, two students applying for same visa may be asked different questions and be required to submit different documents. For that reason, the guidelines that follow are general and can be abridged or expanded by consular officers overseas, depending on each student’s situation.

All applicants for a student visa must provide:

• Form I-20A-B, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status-For Academic and Language Students or Form I-20M-N, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (M-1) Student Status for Vocational Students.You will need to submit a SEVIS generated Form, I-20, which was provided to you by your school. You and your school official must sign the I-20 form. All students, as well as their spouses and dependents must be registered in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), an Internet-based system that maintains accurate and current information on non-immigrant students and exchange visitors and their dependents (F/M-2 visa holders). Your school is responsible for entering your information for the I-20 student visa form into SEVIS. Students will also have to pay an SEVIS I-901 fee for each program of study. Questions regarding your exchange program should be directly to your program sponsor;
• An interview at the embassy consular section is required for almost all visa applicants. The waiting time for an interview appointment for applicants can vary, so early visa application is strongly encouraged. During the visa interview, an ink-free, digital fingerprint scan will be quickly taken, as well as a digital photo. Some applicants will need additional screening, and will be notified when they apply.
• A passport valid for travel to the United States and with a validity date at least six months beyond the applicant's intended period of stay in the United States.
• One (1) 2x2 photograph. See the required photo format explained in nonimmigrant photograph requirements
• A MRV fee receipt to show payment of the visa application fee, a visa issuance fee if applicable (Please consult the Visa Reciprocity Table
• A separate SEVIS I-901 fee receipt. While all F visa applicants must pay the MRV fee, including dependents, only the F-1 principal applicants must pay the SEVIS fee.

All applicants should be prepared to provide:

• Transcripts and diplomas from previous institutions attended;
• Scores from standardized tests required by the educational institution such as the TOEFL, SAT, GRE, GMAT, etc.;
• Financial evidence that shows you or your parents who are sponsoring you have sufficient funds to cover your tuition and living expenses during the period of your intended study. For example, if you or your sponsor is a salaried employee, please bring income tax documents and original bank books and/or statements. If you or your sponsor own a business, please bring business registration, licenses, etc., and tax documents, as well as original bank books and/or statements.

1. If you have access to the internet, visit www.unitedstatesvisas.gov. This website has been created to help you find the information about current visa policy and procedures quickly and easily, based on your own situation and circumstance. Whether you are a student, sponsor, tourist or business traveler, this website can serve as a useful first stop on your journey. There are many different types of visas, and this site can help you determine which kind you need and how to obtain it. If you do not have access to the internet, contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for further information
2. Make an appointment to visit the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Visa application procedures vary somewhat among Embassies and Consulates, depending on local needs. In most countries, you will need to make an appointment. This can be done by telephone, mail, over the internet or in person, depending on circumstances in your country. Wait times for appointments may be longer than in the past. Schedule your appointment as soon as you know you need to travel to the U.S. Be sure to ask what fees are required and how they can be paid. Application fees are non-refundable and must be paid before your appointment.
3. Get all your documentation ready. You will need: a valid passport; appropriate applications which can be obtained through an Embassy, Consulate or at www.unitedstatesvisas.gov; Documents to support the application detailing employment, reason for travel and financial status; Proof of payment of fees. Remember, as in the past, the consular officer may require additional information or application forms. If you are a student applying for a visa to study in the U.S., talk to the U.S. academic institution or exchange program sponsoring you to obtain all the forms you will need to present with your application.
4. Submit your application, passport and supporting documents to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Your application will then be reviewed by the consular officer and, in many cases, by officials in Washington, D.C. For most applicants, the visa is issued within a few weeks. There is no guarantee of obtaining a visa.
5. In some cases, additional reviews will be required. Your information is submitted and checked in the world's foremost security database, which includes comprehensive information drawn from both U.S. and foreign law enforcement agencies worldwide. If your name or a close variation indicates security concerns, the process will be delayed. Additional steps will vary from requests for additional interviews and information to official registration and fingerprinting. This may add at least 4-6 weeks to the processing time.
   Registration upon arrival in the United States is mandatory in many cases but registration can be required in any case regardless of country of origin. See www.unitedstatesvisas.gov for the most current information about who is affected by this requirement.
6. A visa allows you to travel from your country to a port of entry in the U.S. In many cases, that port of entry will be the airport where you land. On the airplane you will be asked to complete a short arrival/departure form.

No assurances regarding the issuance of visas can be given in advance. Therefore final travel plans or the purchase of nonrefundable tickets should not be made until a visa has been issued.

Unless previously canceled, a visa is valid until its expiration date. Therefore, if the traveler has a valid U.S. visa in an expired passport, do not remove the visa page from the expired passport. You may use it along with a new valid passport for travel and admission to the United States.

Entering the U.S. - Port of Entry A visa allows a foreign citizen coming from abroad, to travel to the United States port-of entry and request permission to enter the U.S.  Applicants should be aware that a visa does not guarantee entry into the United States. The Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials have authority to permit or deny admission to the United States. Student visitors must have their Form I-20 in their possession each time they enter the United States.  Students should review important information about Admissions/Entry requirements on the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection website. Upon arrival (at an international airport, seaport or land border crossing), you will be enrolled in the  US-VISIT  entry-exit program. In addition, some travelers will also need to register their entry into and their departure from the U.S. with the Special Registration program. If you are allowed to enter the U.S., the CBP official will determine the length of your visit on the Arrival-Departure Record  (Form I-94). Since Form I-94 documents your authorized stay in the U.S., it’s very important to keep in your passport.

Upon admission, the student must notify the international student adviser of his or her intent to request a Form I-20. The university will issue a Form I-20 to a foreign student only after the following conditions have been met:

1. The student has been formally admitted with regular or provisional status to the university.
2. The student submits a completed application for Form I-20 along with a photocopy of his or her passport.  For students attending our Winona campus, please download this I-20 application form.  For students attending all other locations, please download this I-20 application form.
3. The student submits proof of financial responsibility and other supporting documents as requested by the university. Financial responsibility will be proven by the student’s submission of official documentation of cash resources in an amount equal to or greater than the cost of tuition, fees and books for one academic year and the cost of living for one academic year as determined by the designated school's official.
4. A deposit of $1,000 is required before the release of a student’s Form I-20. If the student is denied a visa, the deposit will be refunded upon receipt of the official denial letter from the embassy.

The university will mail all Form I-20s via expedited mail.

Upon receipt of the Form I-20, the student must submit the Form I-20 to a U.S. Embassy or consulate to apply for an F-1 Student Visa.

To affect a transfer of schools, the F-1 student must complete the steps after admission:

1. Inform the school he or she is currently attending of his or her intent to transfer Request the release of the Form I-20 record in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), and return a completed transfer recommendation form to the international student’s adviser.
2. Submit a completed application for Form I-20 along with a photocopy of his or her passport
3. Submit proof of financial responsibility and other supporting documents as requested by the university. Financial responsibility will be proven by the student’s submission of official documentation of cash resources in an amount equal to or greater than the cost of tuition, fees and books for one academic year and the cost of living for one academic year as determined by the Designated Schools official.
4. Submit a required, non-refundable deposit of $1,000. When the university receives the deposit, student’s Form I-20 is released. If the student is denied a visa, the deposit will be refunded.
5. Submit a legible copy of Form I-946. The international student adviser will then complete the transfer in SEVIS and issue the Form I-20 to the student.