| Visa Application and Renewal |
| A new F-1 or J-1 visa can only be acquired at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate outside the United States - it is not possible to apply for or renew a visa by mail or in person within the U.S. Every U.S. Embassy has different visa application procedures; many are now requiring appointments for visa processing. You should contact the US Embassy or Consulate overseas where you plan to apply for your visa for additional information to set up an appointment if required. The embassies in Canada and Mexico do require appointments. Please plan ahead! There is a wait time at most embassies for appointments and before a visa can be issued. Quick Links Required Documents
DOS cable describing the intent students must show during their visa interviews If you have been less than full-time, make sure to get copies of your signed Full-Time Certification forms from ISS for any semester you were registered less than full-time
top of page 10 Points to Remember When Applying for a Nonimmigrant Visa:
Under US law, all applicants for nonimmigrant visas are viewed as intending immigrants until they can convince the consular officer that they are not. You must therefore be able to show that you have reasons for returning to your home country that are stronger than those for remaining in the United States. "Ties" to your home country are the things that bind you to your hometown, homeland, or current place of residence (i.e., job, family, financial prospects that you own or will inherit, investments, etc). If you are a prospective student, the
interviewing officer may ask about your specific intentions or promise
of future employment, family or other relationships, educational objectives,
grades, long-long range plans, and career prospects in your home country.
Each person's situation is different, of course, and there is no magic
explanation or single document, certificate, or letter, which can
guarantee visa issuance. Anticipate that the interview will
be conducted in English and not in your native language. One suggestion
is to practice English conversation with a native speaker before the
interview. If you are coming to the United States solely to study
intensive English, be prepared to explain how English will be useful
for you in your home country. Do not bring parents or family members
with you to your interview. The consular officer wants to interview
you, not your family. A negative impression is created if you are
not prepared to speak on your own behalf. If you are a minor applying
for a high school program and need your parents there in case there
are questions, for example, about funding, they should wait in the
waiting room. 4) KNOW THE PROGRAM AND HOW IT FITS YOUR CAREER PLANS. If you are not able to articulate
the reasons you will study in a particular program in the United States,
you may not succeed in convincing the consular officer that you are
indeed planning to study, rather than to immigrate. You should also
be able to explain how studying in the United States relates to your
future professional career in your home country. Because of the volume of applications
are received, all consular officers are under considerable time pressure
to conduct a quick and efficient interview. They must make a decision,
for the most part, on the impressions they form during the first minute
or two of the interview. Consequently, what you say first and the
initial impression you create are critical to your success. Keep your
answers to the officer's questions short and to the point. 6) SUPPLEMENTAL DOCUMENTATION. It should be clear at a glance to
the consular officer what written documents you are presenting and
what they signify. Lengthy written explanations cannot be quickly
read or evaluated. Remember that you will have 2-3 minutes of interview
time, if you're lucky. 7) NOT ALL COUNTRIES ARE EQUAL. Applicants from countries suffering
economic problems or from countries where many students have remained
in the United States as immigrants will have more difficulty getting
visas. Statistically, applicants from those countries are more likely
to be asked about job opportunities at home after their study in the
United States. Your main purpose of coming to the United States should be to study, not for the chance to work before or after graduation. While many students do work off-campus during their studies, such employment is incidental to their main purpose of completing their US education. You must be able to clearly articulate
your plan to return home at the end of your program. If your spouse
is also applying for an accompanying F-2 visa, be aware that F-2 dependents
cannot, under any circumstances, be employed in the United States.
If asked, be prepared to adress what your spouse intends to do with
his or her time while in the United State. Volunteer work and attending
school part-time are permitted activities. 9) DEPENDENTS REMAINING AT HOME. If your spouse and children are remaining
behind in your country, be prepared to adress how they will support
themselves in your absence. This can be an especially tricky area
if you are the primary source of income for your family. If the consular
officer gains the impression that your family members will need you
to remit money from the United States in order to support themselves,
your student visa application will almost certainly be denied. If
your family does decide to join you at a later time, it is helpful
to have them apply at the same post where you applied for your visa.
10) MAINTAIN A POSITIVE ATTITUDE. Do not engage the consular officer
in an argument. If you are denied a student visa, ask the officer
for a list of documents he or she would suggest you bring in order
to overcome the refusal, and try to get the reason you were denied
in writing. This list was complied by NAFSA: Association of International Educators. NAFSA would like to credit Gerald A. Wunsch, Esq., 1997, then a member of the Consular Issues Working Group, and a former U.S. Consular Officer in Mexico, Suriname, and the Netherlands, and Martha Wailes of Indiana University for their contributions to this document. NAFSA also appreciates the input of the U.S. Department of State. Department of State (DOS) Contact Information
for Visa Inquiries To check the status of security clearance please call (202) 663-1851. Additional Resources Student
Visas - US State Department |