To apply for an F or M visa, you have to submit the following:
A passport valid for travel to the United States with a validity date at least six months completely your intended period of stay in the United States (unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions). If more than one person is included in your passport, each person desiring a visa must submit an app.
One (1) 2"x2" (5cmx5cm) photo. this article has information about the required photo format.
To apply for an F or M visa, you have to submit the following:
A Non immigrant Visa Electronic app (DS-160) Form. Visit the DS-160 webpage for more information about the DS-160.
A passport valid for travel to the United States with a validity date at least six months completely your intended period of stay in the United States (unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions). If more than one person is included in your passport, each person desiring a visa must submit an app.
One (1) 2"x2" (5cmx5cm) photo. this article has information about the required photo format.
A receipt featuring payment of your US$160 non-refundable non immigrant visa app processing fee, paid in local currency. this article has more information about paying this fee. If a visa is issued, there may be an additional visa issuance reciprocity fee, in relation to your nationality. The Department of State's website can aid you find out if you have to pay a visa issuance reciprocity fee and what the fee amount is.
An approved Form I-20 from your U.S. school or program.
A Form I-901 SEVIS fee receipt indicating the SEVIS fee has been paid. The SEVIS website has more details.
in addition to these items, you really should present an interview appointment letter confirming that you made an appointment through this service. you might also bring whatever supporting documents you believe support the information provided to the consular officer.
Supporting Documents
Supporting documents are only one of many factors a consular officer will consider in your interview. Consular officers look at each application individually and consider specialist, social, cultural and other factors during adjudication. Consular officers may look at your specific intentions, family situation, and your long-range strategy and prospects within your country of residence. Each case is examined individually and is accorded every consideration under the law.
Caution: dont present false documents. Fraud or misrepresentation can result in permanent visa ineligibility. If confidentiality is a concern, you have to bring your documents to the Embassy or Consulate in a sealed envelope. The Embassy/Consulate wont make your information available to anyone and will respect the confidentiality of your information.
you have to bring the following documents to your interview:
Documents demonstrating strong financial, social, and family ties to your home country that will compel you to return to your country after your program of study in the U.S. ends.
Financial and any other documents you believe will support your application and which give credible evidence that you have enough readily-available funds to meet all expenses for the first year of study and that you have access to funds sufficient to cover all expenses while you remain in the United States. M-1 applicants must demonstrate the ability to pay all tuition and living costs for the entire period of their intended stay.
Only original copies of bank statements, scholarship award letters, etc.will be accepted.
If you are financially sponsored by another person, bring proof of your relationship to the sponsor (such as your birth certificate), the sponsor's most recent original tax forms and the sponsor's original bank statements and/or fixed deposit certificates.
Documents that show scholastic preparation. Useful documents include school transcripts (original copies are preferable) with grades, public examination certificates (WAEC scores, NECO scores, etc.), standardized test scores (SAT, TOEFL, etc.), and diplomas.
Supporting Documents for Dependents
Applicants with dependents must also provide:Proof of the scholar's relationship to his/her spouse and/or child (e.g., marriage and birth certificates)
Applicants with depe
it is favorite that families apply for their visas at the same time, but if the spouse and/or kid must apply separately at a later time, they should bring a copy of the student visa holder's passport and visa, along with all other required documents.
Additional Information
Optional Practical Training (OPT) F-1 visa holders may be eligible for up to 12 months of optional practical training following completion of all course requirements for graduation (not including thesis or equivalent), or after completion of all requirements. OPT is separate from a student's academic work, and time for OPT will not normally be reflected during the scholar's academic program or in the completed study date. students applying for a F visa to do OPT may present an I-20 with an original end of study date that may have passed. However, these I-20s must be annotated by the designated school official to reflect approval of an OPT program that extends totally the end of the regular period of study. In addition, the student must have proof that USCIS has approved their practical training program or that an application is pending, either in the form of an approved Employment Authorization Card or a Form I-797 indicating that s/he has a pending application for an OPT program.
Validity of student Visas After a Break in Studies
students who are away from classes for more than five months can expect to apply for and receive a new F-1 or M-1 student visa to return to school following travel abroad, as explained below.
scholars within the U.S.
A student (F-1 or M-1) may fail that status if they do not resume studies within five months of the date of transferring schools or programs, under immigration law. If a student loses status, unless USCIS reinstates the scholar's status, the student's F or M visa would also be invalid for future travel returning to the U.S. For more information see the USCIS web presence, and instructions for app for Extend/Change of Non immigrant Status Form I-539 to request reinstatement of status.
students - Returning to the U.S. from Travel Abroad
students who leave the U.S. for a break in studies of five months or more may fail their F-1 or M-1 status unless their activities overseas are related to their course of study. In advance of travel, students may want to check with their designated school official, if there is a question about whether their activity is related to their course of study.
When the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) immigration inspector at port of entry is presented a used in the past, unexpired F-1 or M-1 visa by a returning student who has been outside the U.S. and out of student status for more than five months, a CBP immigration inspector might come across the student inadmissible for not possessing a valid nonimmigrant visa. CBP may also cancel the visa after granting the student permission to withdraw the app for admission. Therefore, it is sensible for students to apply for new visas at an embassy or consulate abroad prior to traveling to the U.S. to return to their studies, after an absence of more than five months that is not related to their course of study.
A receipt featuring payment of your US$160 non-refundable nonimmigrant visa app processing fee, paid in local currency. this article has more information about paying this fee. If a visa is issued, there may be an additional visa issuance reciprocity fee, in relation to your nationality. The Department of State's website can aid you find out if you have to pay a visa issuance reciprocity fee and what the fee amount is.
An approved Form I-20 from your U.S. school or program.
A Form I-901 SEVIS fee receipt indicating the SEVIS fee has been paid. The SEVIS website has more details.
in addition to these items, you really should present an interview appointment letter confirming that you made an appointment through this service. you might also bring whatever supporting documents you believe support the information provided to the consular officer.
Supporting Documents
Supporting documents are only one of many factors a consular officer will consider in your interview. Consular officers look at each application individually and consider specialist, social, cultural and other factors during adjudication. Consular officers may look at your specific intentions, family situation, and your long-range strategy and prospects within your country of residence. Each case is examined individually and is accorded every consideration under the law.
Caution: dont present false documents. Fraud or misrepresentation can result in permanent visa ineligibility. If confidentiality is a concern, you have to bring your documents to the Embassy or Consulate in a sealed envelope. The Embassy/Consulate wont make your information available to anyone and will respect the confidentiality of your information.
you have to bring the following documents to your interview:
Documents demonstrating strong financial, social, and family ties to your home country that will compel you to return to your country after your program of study in the U.S. ends.
Financial and any other documents you believe will support your application and which give credible evidence that you have enough readily-available funds to meet all expenses for the first year of study and that you have access to funds sufficient to cover all expenses while you remain in the United States. M-1 applicants must demonstrate the ability to pay all tuition and living costs for the entire period of their intended stay.
Only original copies of bank statements, scholarship award letters, etc.will be accepted.
If you are financially sponsored by another person, bring proof of your relationship to the sponsor (such as your birth certificate), the sponsor's most recent original tax forms and the sponsor's original bank statements and/or fixed deposit certificates.
Documents that show scholastic preparation. Useful documents include school transcripts (original copies are preferable) with grades, public examination certificates (WAEC scores, NECO scores, etc.), standardized test scores (SAT, TOEFL, etc.), and diplomas.
Supporting Documents for Dependents
Applicants with dependents must also provide:
Proof of the scholar's relationship to his/her spouse and/or child (e.g., marriage and birth certificates)
it is favorite that families apply for their visas at the same time, but if the spouse and/or kid must apply separately at a later time, they should bring a copy of the student visa holder's passport and visa, along with all other required documents.
Additional Information
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
F-1 visa holders may be eligible for up to 12 months of optional practical training following completion of all course requirements for graduation (not including thesis or equivalent), or after completion of all requirements. OPT is separate from a student's academic work, and time for OPT will not normally be reflected during the scholar's academic program or in the completed study date. students applying for a F visa to do OPT may present an I-20 with an original end of study date that may have passed. However, these I-20s must be annotated by the designated school official to reflect approval of an OPT program that extends totally the end of the regular period of study. In addition, the student must have proof that USCIS has approved their practical training program or that an application is pending, either in the form of an approved Employment Authorization Card or a Form I-797 indicating that s/he has a pending application for an OPT program.
Validity of student Visas After a Break in Studies
students who are away from classes for more than five months can expect to apply for and receive a new F-1 or M-1 student visa to return to school following travel abroad, as explained below.
scholars within the U.S.
A student (F-1 or M-1) may fail that status if they do not resume studies within five months of the date of transferring schools or programs, under immigration law. If a student loses status, unless USCIS reinstates the scholar's status, the student's F or M visa would also be invalid for future travel returning to the U.S. For more information see the USCIS web presence, and instructions for app for Extend/Change of Nonimmigrant Status Form I-539 to request reinstatement of status.
students - Returning to the U.S. from Travel Abroad
students who leave the U.S. for a break in studies of five months or more may fail their F-1 or M-1 status unless their activities overseas are related to their course of study. In advance of travel, students may want to check with their designated school official, if there is a question about whether their activity is related to their course of study.
When the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) immigration inspector at port of entry is presented a used in the past, unexpired F-1 or M-1 visa by a returning student who has been outside the U.S. and out of student status for more than five months, a CBP immigration inspector might come across the student inadmissible for not possessing a valid nonimmigrant visa. CBP may also cancel the visa after granting the student permission to withdraw the app for admission. Therefore, it is sensible for students to apply for new visas at an embassy or consulate abroad prior to traveling to the U.S. to return to their studies, after an absence of more than five months that is not related to their course of study.
