Requirements for an F or M Student Visa
All applicants for an F or M student visa must provide:
? Form I-20A-B, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status-For Academic and Language Students or Form I-20M-N, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (M-1) Student Status for Vocational Students
? A completed application, Nonimmigrant Visa Applicant, Form DS-156, together with a Form DS-158. Both forms must be completed and signed. Some applicants will also be required to complete and sign Form DS-157. A separate form is needed for children, even if they are included in a parent's passport.
? An interview at the embassy consular section is required for almost all visa applicants.
? A passport valid for at least six months after your proposed date of entry into the United States
? One (1) 2x2 photograph
? A receipt to show payment of the visa application fee, a visa issuance fee if applicable and a separate SEVIS I-901 fee receipt. While all F visa applicants must pay the visa application (MRV) fee, including dependents, only the F-1 principal applicants must pay the SEVIS fee.
Because each student's personal and academic situation is different, two students applying for the same visa may be asked different questions and be required to submit different documents. For that reason, the guidelines that follow are general and can be changed by consular officers overseas, depending on each student?s situation.
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 that the student or sponsoring parents have sufficient funds to cover tuition and living expenses during the period of intended study. For example, if the student or sponsor is a salaried employee, please bring income tax documents and original bank books and/or statements. If the student or sponsor owns a business, please bring business registration, licenses, etc., and tax documents, as well as original bank books and/or statements.
Applicants with dependents must also provide:
? Proof of the student?s relationship to his/her spouse and/or children (e.g., marriage and birth certificates.)
? It is preferred that families apply for F-1 and F-2 visas at the same time, but if the spouse and children must apply separately, they should bring a copy of the student visa holder?s passport and visa, along with all other required documents.