Back to the Basics: Getting Your U.S. Visa

How did that happen?

We’ve been going deep the last few weeks. Much deeper than I expected, but my commitment to you is to discuss the timely topics that international students need to know about.

But many of you are still working on that first step.

Getting your U.S. visa.

So let’s dive in.

How to get your U.S. Visa

1. Apply for, and get accepted at, a U.S. school approved by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). You can find SEVP-approved schools here: https:// studyinthestates.dhs.gov/school-search

2. Your school will require some documentation from you in order to issue you a Form I-20:

   1. A copy of your active passport photo

   2. Financial documentation (such as a bank statement

   3. Affidavit of Support from your sponsor (if applicable)

   4. Dependent I-20 Request and evidence of relationship (if applicable)

3. Using the Form I-20, you'll schedule a visa appointment at your local U.S. embassy. The exact process and wait times vary depending on your location, so you can find specific information through the State Department website.

4. Assuming your visa application is approved, it may still take some time for your actual visa to arrive or be processed. Be sure to be in contact with your U.S. school about the expected processing time and the school's deadlines for registration or deferring to a later start.

5. When entering the U.S., you will need to bring:

   1. Passport (active at least 6 months into the future)

   2. Visa, and

   3. Form I-20

   4. Acceptance Letter (optional)

6. Once you are in the U.S. you will need to follow your university's requirement to get registered as an active student, at which time you will be given a new I-20 with a 'Form Issued Reason' of Continued Attendance. This will be your evidence of legal presence in the U.S.

Your school should be able to help you with any and all of these steps, but (as always) if you need any extra assistance let me know.

Cheers,

Josh