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Visas and Documents

Applying for a U.S. Student / Exchange Visitor Visa

When you apply for an F-1/J-1 visa for the first time, you will have a brief personal interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate with jurisdiction over your place of residence. The interview will typically be conducted in English however this is not always the case. A consular official often interviews hundreds of applicants in one day. The official must make a quick decision about your application and your interview may be no more than three to five minutes. If you are well prepared and organized, your chance of obtaining the visa is very high.  

The U.S. consular official needs to believe, and you must convince them, that (1) you are a legitimate student/scholar with an educational plan, (2) you have financial resources to study in the U.S. (for at least one year), (3) you have strong connections to your home country, and (4) you do not intend to immigrate to the U.S.

Consular officials will want to see:

  • Evidence that you have paid the U.S. $350 F-1 Student or $220 J-1 Exchange Visitor SEVIS fee online.
  • Evidence that you are a qualified, legitimate student/scholar.
  • Evidence that you have the financial resources to pay for your education in the U.S.: statements from your or your family's bank account and/or financial aid award letter.
  • Evidence of strong economic, family or social ties to your home country.
  • Evidence that you will return home after you finish your studies.
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