How do I prepare for the Visa Interview

For all the newbies who plan to enter the United States for the first time to study, newbies bringing dependents to the U.S., returning-bies to continue studies, or renewing your visa, or for more details on how to apply for a student visa, refer to the U.S. Department of State website, at:

http://travel.state.gov/visa/tempvisitors_types_students2.html

STEPS

1. Contact your local U.S. Consulate or Embassy to ask about how to get an F-1
international student visa. A list of Consulates and Embassies can be found at

http://usembassy.state.gov/. 

2. After you receive an I-20 form from the school that you want to attend, follow the
U.S. Embassy/Consulate's instructions to schedule an interview for your F-1
student visa. It is important to apply for your student visa as far in advance as
possible. Many consulates recommend that appointments be made no more than
90 days from the intended date of travel, but some can make earlier arrangements
for interviews.

3. Complete the following forms:

(a) DS-156 Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form
(b) DS-158 Contact Information and Work History for Nonimmigrant Visa
Applicant
(c) if a male between the ages of 16 and 45, DS-157 Supplemental
Nonimmigrant Visa Application.

4. Pay the visa application fee by following instructions on your local U.S. embassy
or consulate's web site.

5. If your I-20 was issued on or after September 1, 2004, and is marked for "initial"
attendance (see #3 on your I-20 form), you will also need to pay the $100 SEVIS
fee.

To Pay By Mail

(a) Get a Form I-901 "Fee Remittance for Certain F, J, and M Nonimmigrants."
• Download the form from www.FMJfee.com OR
• Ask for the form by phone at 1-800-870-3676 (inside the US)
(b) Complete the Form I-901. Be sure to write your name exactly how it appears
on your I-20 form.
(c) Prepare a check, international money order or foreign draft (drawn on US
banks only1) in the amount of $100 USD, made payable to "The Department of
Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement."
(d) Mail the completed I-901 and payment to the address listed on Form I-901.

(e) A Form I-797 receipt confirmation letter should be mailed within 3 days of
processing the fee. Be sure to make copies of this receipt letter, and keep it with
your other important immigration documents

To Pay Online

(a) Find the Form I-901 at [insert website]

(b)Complete the form online and supply the necessary Visa, MasterCard or
American Express information. *Be sure to write your name exactly how it
appears on your I-20 form.

(c) Print a copy of the online receipt.

(d) Be sure to make copies of your receipt, and keep it with your other important
immigration documents

You must bring the receipt of fee payment with you to the interview. If you have lost
the receipt, all is not lost , the Visa Officer should be able to view your payment history in his or her
database.

You don’t need to pay the $100 SEVIS fee if:

(a)If you are transferring schools,

(b)extending your program,

(c) applying for an F-2 dependent visa,

(d) have paid this fee and been denied a visa within the last twelve
months

6. Prepare and bring to your visa interview the following.The preparation would include knowing in detail what every paper that you are carrying includes.

(a) A valid passport.(should be valid for six months)

(b) Your precious I-20 (sign the form under Item 11)

(c) School admission letter

(d) Completed visa applications (DS-156, DS-158, and, if applicable, DS-157)

(e) Two 2"x 2" photographs in the prescribed format (see the travel.state.gov
website , they have background colour specifications n all)

(f) A receipt for the visa application fee , to show that you have paid!!

(g) A receipt for the SEVIS fee. The printed receipt from your computer will suffice if you don’t receive the receipt by mail before your interview. If you do not have a receipt at all, the consulate may be able to see your payment electronically if your fee payment was processed at least 3 working days before your interview.

(h) Financial evidence that shows you have sufficient funds to cover your tuition
and living expenses during the period you intend to study. If

(i) Solid evidence accompanied by a convincing argument that proves that you will return to your home country after finishing your studies in the U.S. This may include proof of property, family,
or other ties to your community.

7. Chill. Be honest and don’t try to twist your way around the visa officer’s questions.