Obtaining an F-1 visa:

Once you receive the acceptance packet from CWU, you will need to do the following to apply for an F-1 (student) visa.

Immediately:

• Apply for a passport, if you don’t have one
• Pay the I-901 SEVIS fee at www.fmjfee.com. The fee is $100. Be sure to print a receipt and take it to your visa interview.
• Make an appointment with the U.S. Consulate located inside the U.S. Embassy nearest to your home

OR

Go to http://evisaforms.state.gov/ to submit an e-application. Be sure to complete the DS-156, the application for a “non-immigrant” visa

OR

Contact a local agent/service who is able to apply on your behalf.

For waiting and processing times, go to http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/wait/tempvisitors_wait.php. Allow yourself enough time to get the visa so you can arrive at CWU on time.

Two weeks before your appointment:

Collect all of the documents you need for your interview.

• Visa application (DS-156)
• Acceptance letter from CWU
• Valid passport
• I-901 SEVIS fee receipt
• Passport-sized photos
• I-20
• Financial documents showing you can support the cost of studying which is indicated on the I- 20
• Any other documents required by the Consulate

For specific Consulate information, click here. Select the country and city where you will interview. Follow the links in relation to “non-immigrant F-1 student visas.”

For general information, click here.

Read the information carefully. Take notes or print out the essential pages.

Tips for a successful interview

You will be interviewed about your intentions to come to the U.S. to study and must convince the Consular officer that you have no intent to immigrate to the U.S. This can be proven through strong connections in your home country such as family, work or property.

If your family will remain at home, be prepared to tell the Consular officer how they will financially support themselves. Make it very clear that you do not intend to work in the U.S. in order to send money home to family.

You will need to prove that your intent is to study, not work. You must also confirm that after you finish your studies, you intend to return home.

Entering the United States:

The visa stamp in your passport allows you to enter the United States in a specific non-immigrant category or “status”. Your F-1 visa stamp notifies the officer at the port of entry that you wish to enter the U.S. to study. He or she may ask you some questions which you should answer honestly and thoroughly. If granted permission to enter the U.S., your I-20 will be stamped by the officer and returned to you. You must keep the I-20 throughout the duration of your stay in the U.S. as a student.

In addition, you will have filled out a small white card known as the Arrival-Departure form, “Form I-94”. This card should be presented to the officer at the port of entry along with your passport and I-20. The officer will also stamp the I-94 and staple it into your passport.

When you leave the country, an officer will take the I-94 to verify that you have left the country. If/When you re-enter the U.S., you will receive a new I-94.

Other useful resources:

For more information on all topics related to studying in the U.S., go to www.educationusa.state.gov . This is a U.S. government website and is a reliable source of information.