Installment Thirty Four
Q: What type of visa do I need to become an academic student in the United States?
Most non-U.S. citizens who wish to study in the United States will seek an F-1 (non-immigrant) student visa, but there are other visa types that are sometimes authorized for those who study in the U.S. Here is a short description of the different visa types that involve study:
* F-1 or Student Visa: This visa is the most common for those who wish to engage in academic studies in the United States. It is for people who want to study at an accredited U.S. college or university or to study English at a university or intensive English language institute.
* J-1 or Exchange Visitor: This visa is for people who will be participating in an exchange visitor program in the U.S. The “J” visa is for educational and cultural exchange program.
* M-1 or Student Visa: This visa is for those who will be engaged in non-academic or vocational study or training at an institution in the U.S.
Q: How do I obtain a Student Visa?
In order to apply for a visa at the U.S. embassy, you must first have a SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System)-generated document (either an I-20 or DS-2019) issued by a U.S. college or university. You will be required to submit this form when you apply for a visa. The U.S. academic institution will provide you with the SEVIS-generated form only when you have been academically admitted to the institution or accepted as a participant in an exchange program. The institution or program sponsor will also send you additional information about applying for the appropriate visa, as well as other guidance about beginning your academic program in the United States.
Once you have all the required documentation, you may apply for the visa. It is best to apply early for the visa to make sure that there is sufficient time for visa processing.
Q: 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 all visa applicants. It is important to remember that simply being accepted by a school in the U.S. does not guarantee that the student will receive a visa.
All applicants for a student visa must provide:
* Form I-20A-B, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status
* Proof that the USD$100 SEVIS fee has been paid.
* A completed application, Nonimmigrant Visa Applicant, Form DS-156, together with a Form DS-158.
* Proof that the USD$100 application fee has been paid at Citizens Bank.
* An interview at the Embassy consular section is required for all F-1 visa applicants.
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 sponsor has sufficient funds to cover your tuition and living expenses during the period of your intended study.
* Evidence to show that you are not an intending immigrant.
Q: Where can I find more information about academic admissions or student visa procurement?
For more information about study opportunities in the United States, please visit the following websites: www.educationusa.state. gov
You may also wish to contact the Embassy’s Educational Advisor at 592-225-4900 for specific questions about the school admissions procedure.
For more information about student visas, please visit the following website: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/ types_1268.html or contact the Embassy’s visas inquiry unit (email visageorge@state.gov or call 225-7965 between 8 am- 12 pm and 1 pm- 4 pm Monday through Friday).
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“Ask the Consul” is a weekly column from the U.S. Embassy answering questions about U.S. immigration law and visa issues. If you have a general question about visa policy please email it to us at AskGeorge@state.gov. We select questions each week and publish the answers in Stabroek News and on our website at http://georgetown.usembassy.gov/guyana/ ask_con.html. For more information about visas please see http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov or http://georgetown. usembassy.gov/.
Other than the questions we select, we DO NOT respond to questions sent to Ask the Consul. Please contact the visa inquiries unit (email visageorge@state.gov or call 225-7965 between 8 am- 12 pm and 1 pm- 4 pm Monday through Friday) if you have questions about a specific case.
