Consulate General of the United States Dubai, UAE

The following documents are required for specific types of visas:

• F Visa Applicants: a completed Form I-20A-B Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status for Academic and Language Students, issued by the U.S. academic institution. Please bring your original I-20 form with you, and attach a photocopy to your visa application.
• M Visa Applicants: a completed Form I-20M-N Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status for Vocational Students, issued by the U.S. academic institution. Please bring your original I-20 form with you, and attach a photocopy to your visa application.
• J Visa Applicants: a completed Form DS-2019 Certification of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor, issued by the U.S. academic institution. Please bring your original DS-2019 form with you, and attach a photocopy to your visa application.

Like applicants for any other type of visitor visa, applicants for a student (“F” or “M”) visa or an exchange visitor (“J”) visa must show they qualify under the provisions of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act.

In addition to the basic documentation required of all visa applicants listed in our General Instructions, all F, M, and J visa applicants should submit the following documents at the time of the visa interview:

1. All student applicants are required to pay a $200 SEVIS surcharge fee before applying for their visa. Applicants must present their I-901 receipt as proof of payment. For more information, please visit our SEVIS fee website.
2. Both the primary applicant and each of his/her dependents must complete Form DS-160: Non-immigrant Visa. (PDF 296 KB)
3. All student applicants must provide proof of financial resources to meet the cost of schooling, such as parents’ bank statements or scholarship awards.
4. All student applicants, including continuing and transferring students, should be prepared to provide recent transcripts, TOEFL results, and/or standardized test scores, if requested.
5. An applicant for a student visa should be prepared to explain his/her reasons for studying in the United States, including post graduation plans. A student visa is not permission to work or remain in the United States following completion of your studies.
6. A complete and detailed CV.  Please include full job descriptions and a listing of all publications.
7. Spouses and minor children accompanying the student to the United States should bring marriage certificates and birth certificates with them to the interview, to prove the relationship between themselves and the principal applicant.