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Visas to the U.S.
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Visa Services
Student Visas
Once
you have been accepted to a program of study in the United States, you
should obtain a student visa. The Embassy of the United States processes
visa applications each working day, Monday through Friday (please keep
in mind the visa section is closed on American
and Mexican holidays). You should call to make an appointment, with
your passport in hand, to the telephone numbers listed in "How
to apply"; this service is available from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Monday through Friday, and from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays
and holidays.
Before coming to the Embassy on your appointment date, all applicants
for F, J or M visas should have CONFIRMATION from the
sponsoring institutions (school, program exchange site) that your name,
as well as those of your relatives if applicable, have been added electronically
to the SEVIS
(Student and Exchange Visitor Information System), and confirms your
acceptance in the school or exchange program. Neither student nor exchange
visas can be issued until your data appears in the mentioned SEVIS system,
thus, applicants should contact their respective sponsoring institutions.
NEW PAYMENT:F-1 and M-1 applicants will now have to pay $200, and the majority of J-1 applicants, to whom DS-2019 forms have been issued after September 1, 2004, should pay $180 U.S. for SEVIS fees. More information: http://www.ice.gov/sevis/.
This
payment should be paid directly to the Department of Homeland Security
(DHS). The payment should be made prior to the issuance of the visa.
The fastest method to make this payment is by credit card or through
the web site www.FMJfee.com
designed by the DHS for this purpose. More
information from DHS
There are different types of visas depending on the duration of the
program, your level, and the source of program finances, etc. In general,
the following documents are required to apply for a student visa:
- Form I-20 (this
form is compulsory and it is only SENT to the student by the educational
institutions accredited in the United States, and it is the only evidence
of having been accepted in a program.) NOTE: having the required form
I-20 does not guarantee visa issuance.
- Evidence of means
to pay for the costs of the program – depending on the case, this
proof will consist of documentation from the institution indicating
that the program has been paid for, bank accounts, letters from sponsors
or the applicant’s parents, etc.
- Proof of payment
of the SEVIS fee as explained above.
YOU SHOULD
ALSO:
You may also be
required to bring proof of your English language proficiency, grades
from previous educational institutions, bank statements, recommendation
letters, or any other documents.
The program or school you wish to attend should offer detailed information;
you may wish to contact the Center for Educational
Counseling for additional information.
During the official vacation periods, appointments for these visas are
usually scheduled for TWO WEEKS after you make the call, and approved
student visas are delivered to the applicant BETWEEN A WEEK
AND 10 DAYS AFTER the appointment date. Please make all the
necessary arrangements for your visa well before your scheduled travel
date.
More information on "How to apply".
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Student
visas 