The visa you need will depend on the type of study you want to do in the United States.
The U.S. Government offers three different student visa types:
- F Student Visa: used to study at an accredited U.S. college or university or to study English at an English language institute
- J Exchange Visa: for participation in an exchange program, including high school and university study
- M Student Visa: for non-academic or vocational study or training in the U.S.
You must first apply and be accepted by a U.S. institution that is certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). Once accepted, you will receive a Form I-20 from the institution's international student office, which is a paper record of your information in the database called the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
You will need the following documentation for your visa application:
- A valid passport that is valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the U.S. (unless exempt by country specific agreements)
- Acceptance at a SEVP approved school and your Form I-20
- Application fee payment for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System
- Non-immigrant visa application and the Form DS-160 confirmation page
- One or two photographs in the requested format
Additional documentation may also be required:
- Academic preparation documents such as transcripts, diplomas, degrees or certificates
- Evidence that you have sufficient funds to maintain your living expenses throughout the period of your stay in the U.S. This may include: bank statements, a financial undertaking by a sponsor to cover your accommodation and living costs or a scholarship program.
- Evidence that you will leave the U.S. once you have completed your course of study. This can be in the form of an air ticket out of the U.S. to your home country.
You may also have to appear for a personal interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate.
When you arrive in the U.S., you must:
- Not enter the U.S. more than 30 days before your study program begins
- Contact your designated school official when you first enter the U.S.
- Contact your designated school official again, no later than the program start date listed on your Form I-20.
Making sure your visa remains valid
Once you get your visa, there are a number of things you need to do to ensure it remains valid, including:
- Fulfilling the purpose for why the Department of State issued the visa
- Following the regulations associated with that purpose
While studying in the U.S., you will need to observe the following rules:
- You must attend and pass all of your classes. If you are finding your studies too difficult, you should speak with your designated school official (DSO) immediately
- If you think you will be unable to complete your program by the end date listed on your Form I-20, you must talk to your DSO about requesting a possible program extension
- You must take a full course of study each term. If you cannot study full-time, contact your DSO immediately
- You cannot drop below a full course of study without consulting with your DSO