Visa Documents: Navigating the Final Hurdle

After receiving your acceptance letters, the final step in your journey to study abroad is to apply for a student visa. A student visa is a type of nonimmigrant visa that allows you to enter and stay in the U.S. for the duration of your academic program. To apply for a student visa, you will need to prepare the following documents:

• DS-160 Form: The Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application form, which you can fill out and submit online. You will need to upload a digital photo and print the confirmation page with a barcode.





• SEVIS Fee Receipt: Proof of payment for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System fee, which you can pay online. You will need to print the receipt and bring it to your visa interview.





• CGI Receipt: Confirmation of visa fee payment, which you can pay online or at a designated bank. You will need to print the receipt and bring it to your visa interview.





• Passport: A valid passport that has at least six months of validity beyond your intended stay in the U.S. You will also need to bring a photocopy of the biographic page of your passport.





• I-20 Form: A document issued by the university that you plan to attend, certifying your eligibility for an F-1 visa. You will need to sign and date the form and bring it to your visa interview.





• Financial Documents: Documents that demonstrate your ability to cover your tuition and living expenses in the U.S., such as bank statements, tax returns, scholarship letters, or sponsor letters. You will need to bring the original or certified copies of these documents to your visa interview.





• Visa Appointment Confirmation: A document that confirms the date and time of your visa interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate. You will need to schedule your appointment online and print the confirmation page.