GETTING YOUR STUDENT VISA

We will help you as much as we can to simplify the process of getting your U.S. student visa.  Please mail us if you have any questions: iss@siue.edu

1. Submit your complete SIUE application and financial documents.  We will send you a Form I-20 OR DS-2019 necessary for your visa application. 

2. Pay the SEVIS fee and get your receipt.  Allow time for processing before your interview appointment.
http://fmjfee.com

3. Get information and forms from the U.S. Embassy or Consulate nearest your home.  Follow the directions carefully.
http://usembassy.state.gov
http://eisaforms.state.gov

4. Make an appointment.  Be sure you have time to pay your SEVIS fee and get your receipt before your appointment. 
http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/tempvisitors_wait.php

5. Prepare for your interview carefully.

6. Please let us know what happens

COLLECT INFORMATION and GET READY

Get form DS-158 and DS-156 from the web or at the U.S. Embassy near your home.
http://www.state.gov/m/a/dir/forms

Check with the Embassy or Consulate near you for their procedures or from their web site for this information.
http://usembassy.state.gov

Make an appointment for your visa interview. When you make the appointment, you will need these numbers:

• Your SEVIS ID number is on your I-20 or DS-2019 in the upper right hand corner or in your admission letter.

• The SIUE school ID number is CHI214F10600000

Take the following documents with you when you go to your interview:

• Form I-20 (F-1 visa) or DS-2019 (J-1 visa) included with your admission letter.

• A completed DS-158 and DS-156 non-immigrant visa application with a photo of each person applying. 
  (These forms are available on-line. http://www.state.gov/m/a/dir/forms)

• A passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your expected stay in the US.

• A receipt for the visa processing fee for each applicant.

• A receipt for the SEVIS fee.

• Financial documents that show you have sufficient money to pay tuition and living expenses while you are in the U.S.  You must also show where the money comes from.  Be prepared to show evidence that you have a strong economic, social, family or career ties to your home country.

You must convince the official that:

• you have a residence in your home country

• you intend to return to that residence

• you will leave the U.S. when your course of  study is completed

• you need the education you are pursuing for future studies and career placement

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT 

If you are applying for a student visa for the first time, an in-person interview is usually required.  June, July, and August are often the busiest months, so it might be difficult to get an appointment during this time.  Don’t wait until the last minute!  You are encouraged to apply for your visa as soon as you know when you plan to study.  Allow several weeks for planning and obtaining an appointment for the visa.  You can call the embassy or go to the embassy web site for information and instructions.

You can check the following website to see how long it will probably take to get an appointment in your city.  http://www.travel.state.gov/visa.tempvisitors_wait.php

ABOUT YOUR Immigration Form I-20 or DS-2019

• You must use your I-20 or DS-2019 to secure your Student Visa at the US Embassy near you. 

• You must return SIUE’s I-20 or DS-2019 if you do not use it to get a visa or if you are denied the visa.

• If your plans change and you do not come to SIUE, you MUST not use our I-20 or DS-2019 to get a visa or to enter the US.

• You must report to SIUE on time and you must attend orientation and all regularly scheduled classes.

PAYING THE SEVIS FEE

When you go to the US embassy for your interview, you must take the receipt for payment of the SEVIS fee.  For students applying for the F-1 or J-1 visa, this is $100.00. There is no fee for your dependents.   For complete information and instructions about how to pay, see the USCIS website:  http://www.fmjfee.com.

In order to process payment of the SEVIS Fee:

1. You must have your I-20 or DS-2019.
2. Decide how you will pay your fee.
3. Pay the fee in time to have it processed before a consular official must make a decision about your visa.

There are four ways to pay the $100.00 SEVIS fee and get the Form I-901 receipt information to SEVP:

1. The Internet is fastest. It also speeds the processing steps because the online form uses data validation rules to minimize the chances for error. If you file your Form I-901 online and pay with a credit or debit card, you can print a receipt immediately. You will also receive a receipt printed on a Form I-797 in the mail.

2. In any country where Western Union offers Quick Pay service, you may pay the SEVIS fee and submit the Form I-901 at the Western Union office.  You will receive a receipt that serves as immediate proof of payment for the visa interview.

3. Courier services offer expedited delivery, but generally cost more than using the mail. If courier service is available, you can decrease this time by sending your payment by courier. You also have the option of paying $30 for expedited delivery of your receipt.

4. Mail service varies throughout the world; we suggest allowing at least 2 weeks for delivery. If you use regular mail, we suggest allowing at least two weeks for your payment to reach SEVP and two weeks for the receipt to be returned to you.

AT THE INTERVIEW

In addition to the documents you present, you need to listen carefully to the questions the official might asking you.

Even if the official asks you a question that you think is strange, you must answer it.  The official is usually trying to decide if you intend to stay in the U.S. after you have completed your program.  If the official thinks you plan to stay in the U.S., your visa may be denied.  Remember, the   F-1 or J-1 visa is for people who intend to return to their home country.  Tell the official when you are going to go home.

In addition, prepare reasons why you want to study in the US.  Here are some good things to talk about:

• Professional development - How will your degree program help you when you get back to your country?

• Talk about practicing English by studying in the US with the interaction of many native speakers.

• Talk about your choice of study.  Show that you know about the school you have applied to and be able to explain your choice if you can.        

DO NOT say you want to go to the US because:

• Your friends are there

• You like movies or TV from the U.S.

• You have family in the U.S. 

Please let us know how your visa visit goes!
iss@siue.edu

WEBSITES
US Department of State
http://www.state.gov

US Embassies abroad
http://usembassy.state.gov

SEVIS fee information
http://www.fmjfee.com  

TRY AGAIN

The most frequent reason for a visa refusal is that the official thinks you may not return to your home country.  It is not possible to say exactly what evidence you should take to convince the official that you will go home because applicants’ circumstances vary a great deal.

Think carefully about your ties to your home country: family, job, home and other commitments.  

Consular officers have the responsibility for issuance or denial of visas.  If your visa is denied, you may re-apply.  Ask the officer why it was denied and how to reapply.

You should try at least twice.  If you are refused a second time, the probability that a third try would succeed is not very high. 

GLOSSARY -

SEVIS:  Student & Exchange Visitor Information System

SEVP:  Student & Exchange Visitor Program

USICE:  US Immigration & Customs Enforcement

USCIS:  US Citizenship & Immigration Services

USDOS:  US Department of State

Waiting periods for visa appointments 
 http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/wait/tempvisitors_wait.php

(Updated 10-22-2008)