Embassy of the United States

Education USA

How Do I Get A Student Visa?

OVERVIEW

If you are going to the U.S. primarily for tourism, but want to take a short course of study of less than 18 hours per week, you may be able to do this on a visitor visa. You should inquire at the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If your course of study is more than 18 hours a week, you will need a student visa. Please read this information for general information on how to apply for an F1 or M1 student visa. For additional student related information, visit the EducationUSA website to learn about educational opportunities for undergraduate and graduate study, opportunities for scholars, financial aid, testing, admissions, and much more.

In most countries, first time student visa applicants are required to appear for an in-person interview. However, each embassy and consulate sets its own interview policies and procedures regarding student visas. Students should carefully read information on this website and contact the Consular Section of the U.S.Embassy in Riga with further questions.

Keep in mind that June, July, and August are the busiest months in most consular sections, and interview appointments are the most difficult to get during that period. Students need to plan ahead to avoid having to make repeat visits to the Embassy. To the extent possible, students should bring the documents suggested below, as well as any other documents that might help establish their ties to the local community.

Students are encouraged to apply for their visa early to provide ample time for visa processing. Students should note that Embassies and Consulates are able to issue your student visa 120 days, or less, in advance of the course of study registration date. If you apply for your visa more than 120 days prior to your start date or registration date as provided on the Form I-20, the Embassy or Consulate will hold your application until it is able to issue the visa.

Students are advised of the Department of Homeland Security regulation which requires that all initial or beginning students enter the U.S. 30 days or less in advance of the course of study start/report date as shown on the Form I-20. Please consider this date carefully when making travel plans to the U.S.

WHAT IS SEVIS AND SEVP? WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT IT?

The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is a web-based system for maintaining information on international students and exchange visitors in the United States. Administered by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), a division of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). SEVIS is designed to facilitate the entry and exit process for foreign students in the United States and for students seeking to study in the United States.

Students and exchange visitors applying for F, M and J visas are required to pay a special SEVIS fee, also known as the SEVIS I-901 fee. Please click on the link for more information: http://riga.usembassy.gov/sevis.html.

WHAT IS NEEDED TO APPLY FOR A STUDENT VISA?

It is important to remember that applying early and providing the requested documents does not guarantee that the student will receive a visa. Also, because each student’s personal and academic situation is different, two students applying for same visa may be asked different questions and be required to submit different documents. For that reason, the guidelines that follow are general and can be abridged or expanded by consular officers overseas, depending on each student’s situation.

General visa application procedure in force at the U.S.Embassy in Riga is described on the page "How to apply for a U.S.visa" under section Consular Services.

Additionally, all applicants should be prepared to provide:

• Transcripts and diplomas from previous institutions attended;
• scores from standardized tests required by the educational institution such as the TOEFL, SAT, GRE, GMAT, etc.;
• financial evidence that shows you or your parents who are sponsoring you have sufficient funds to cover your tuition and living expenses during the period of your intended study. For example, if you or your sponsor is a salaried employee, please bring income tax documents and original bank books and/or statements. If you or your sponsor owns a business, please bring business registration, licenses, etc., and tax documents, as well as original bank books and/or statements.

Applicants with dependents must also provide:

• Proof of the student’s relationship to his/her spouse and/or children (e.g., marriage and birth certificates.);
• it is preferred that families apply for F-1 and F-2 visas at the same time, but if the spouse and children must apply separately at a later time, they should bring a copy of the student visa holder’s passport and visa, along with all other required documents.

HOW DO I RENEW MY STUDENT VISA?

General visa application procedure in force at the U.S.Embassy in Riga is described on the page "How to apply for a U.S.visa" under section Consular Services.

Additionally, all applicants applying for renewals should be prepared to submit:

• A certified copy of your grades from the school in which you are enrolled;
• financial documents from you or your sponsor, showing your ability to cover the cost of your schooling.

HOW LONG MAY I STAY ON MY F-1 STUDENT VISA?

When you enter the United States on a student visa, you will usually be admitted for the duration of your student status. That means you may stay as long as you are a full time student, even if the F-1 visa in your passport expires while you are in America.

As an example regarding duration of status, if you have a visa that is valid for five years that will expire on January 1, 2010, and you are admitted into the U.S. for the duration of your studies (often abbreviated in your passport or on your I-94 card as "D/S"), you may stay in the U.S. as long as you are a full time student. Even if January 1, 2010 passes and your visa expires while in America, you will still be in legal student status. However, if you depart the U.S. with an expired visa, you will need to obtain a new one before being able to return to America and resume your studies. A student visa cannot be renewed or re-issued in the United States; it must be done at an Embassy or Consulate abroad.

PUBLIC SCHOOL

There are certain restrictions on attending public school in the U.S. Persons who violate these restrictions may not receive another visa for a period of five years.

The restrictions apply only to students holding F-1 visas. They do not apply to students attending public school on derivative visas, such as F-2, J-2 or H-4 visas. The restrictions also do not apply to students attending private schools on F-1 visas.

The restrictions are:

• Students who attend public high schools in the U.S. are limited to twelve months of study;
• F-1 visas can no longer be issued to attend public elementary or middle schools (Kindergarten - 8th grade) or publicly-funded adult education programs;
• Before an F-1 visa for a public school can be issued, the student must show that the public school in the U.S. has been reimbursed for the full, unsubsidized per capita cost of the education as calculated by the school. Reimbursement may be indicated on the I-20. Consular officers may request copies of canceled checks and/or receipts confirming the payment as needed.

Līga Bergvalde, University of Western Illinoi: ""Applying for a student visa was very easy. As long as one has the necessary documentation and financial resources (in case you pay on your own), the process is very efficient."

Valērijs Jakovļevs, Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute, Marketing analyst, Mediju Nams: "I thought that it will be long and hard procedure, because I have heard such rumors. For me it was smooth and quick. Actually I was wondering how easy it was. I had to answer a few questions about reasons why I am going to United States, had to show my financial statement and that's it. I got my student visa in minutes."