Student and Exchange Visas
Documents needed to apply for (F1) student and (J) exchange visitor visas:
1 – Fill out the DS-160 form online. You can find it on the following link: https://ceac.state.gov/GENNIV/
The applicant is responsible for the accuracy of the information entered on the DS-160, regardless of who actually completes the form. Incorrect information in your application may result in a delay in the processing of your application or a requirement to submit a new application.
Once you submit the application, you will be able to print out the confirmation page, which will give you a barcode number.
2 – Using the barcode number, visit this link in order to make an appointment: https://evisaforms.state.gov/default.asp?postcode=CSB&appcode=3
When done with this step, print out the appointment confirmation page.
3 – Bring a valid I-20 form (for the F1 visa) or DS-2019 form (for the J1 visa)
4 – Bring proof of SEVIS fee payment: Persons applying for student and exchange visitor visas are required to pay a SEVIS surcharge fee before applying for their visa. Applicants must present their I-901 receipt as proof of payment. For more information, please visit http://www.ice.gov/sevis for general information or the SEVIS fee payment.
Student Visa Applicants should visit http://www.fmjfee.com and http://www.ice.gov/sevis for further information on payment.
The SEVIS fee is $200 for students and $180 for exchange visitors.
For J1 visa applicants, please contact your program sponsor to find out if you are required to pay the SEVIS fee. Some participants in programs sponsored by the U.S. government do not need to pay the fee.
5 – Pay the visa fee ($160, or the equivalent in Moroccan Dirhams) at any BMCI branch in Morocco, with the exception of the agencies located in Rue D’Alger and Gauthier in Casablanca. You do not need an account number in order to pay the fees.
J1 visa applicants whose program is sponsored by U.S. State Departmentnot need to pay the visa fee.
6 – Bring a 5x5 photo with white-off background, even if the photo provided online was accepted by the system.
7 – Posses a passport with available visa pages that is valid for at least six months beyond the intended date of travel. The validity needs to be sufficient to cover the entire period of stay in the U.S.
8 – Be prepared to show that you (or your parents or sponsor) have enough money to pay for your education in the U.S. Bring recent bank statements, business registration papers, and property ownership documents.
9 – Bring your original baccalaureate with college grades/transcripts if appropriate.
10 – For Returning Students Only – Bring an official transcript from your studies in the US.
11 – 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.
IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR STUDENTS AND EXCHANGE VISITORS
Please be aware that United States Department of Homeland Security regulations state that holders of F, M, or J Nonimmigrant Visas will not be admitted to the United States earlier than thirty days PRIOR to the start of your program date as indicated on your Form I-20 (for F or M visas) or DS-2019 (for J visas).
An immigration inspector may deny you entry into the United States if you appear in the US prior to this thirty-day period. Please consider that date carefully when making your travel plans to the United States.
In addition, certain applications may require additional administrative processing. Please be informed that the Consulate General will contact students by telephone as soon as the administrative processing for their applications has been completed.
Please note that before a visa can be issued, all nonimmigrant visa applicants, including for student visas, must demonstrate strong social and economic ties to their country of residence such that compel their return after a temporary visit to the United States.
More information on "J" Exchange Visitor visas can be found at the State Department's J Visa website at http://j1visa.state.gov/.