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| MENTOR –world is a campus office is pleased to
identify that you are interested in studying in the United
States, and we are here to assist you in the whole process.
Here is some information about student and other types of
visas that we hope you will find useful as you plan for your
academic program. |
| Most non-U.S. citizens who wish to study in
the United States will seek an F-1 (non-immigrant) student
visa, but there are other visa types that are sometimes
authorized for those who study in the U.S. Here is a short
description of the different visa types that involve
study: |
| F-1, or Student Visa. This
visa is the most common for those who wish to engage in
academic studies in the United States. It is for people who
want to study at an accredited U.S. college or university or
to study English at a university or intensive English language
institute. Learn More |
| J-1, or Exchange Visitor.
This visa is for people who will be participating in an
exchange visitor program in the U.S. The "J" visa is for
educational and cultural exchange programs. Learn More |
| M-1, or Student Visa. This
visa is for those who will be engaged in non-academic or
vocational study or training at an institution in the U.S.
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| Applying for a Student or Exchange Visitor
Visa |
| Step By Step Process:- |
| In order to apply for a visa at a U.S. embassy
or consulate, you must first |
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Have a SEVIS (Student and
Exchange Visitor Information System)-generated document
(either an I-20 or DS-2019) issued by a U.S. college or
university or Department of State-designated sponsor
organization. You will be required to submit this form
when you apply for a visa. The U.S. academic institution
or program sponsor will provide you with the appropriate
SEVIS-generated form only when you have been
academically admitted to the institution or accepted as
a participant in an exchange program. |
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Once you have all the documentation that
is required, you may apply for the visa, even if you do
not intend to begin your program of study for several
months. It is best to apply early for the visa to make
sure that there is sufficient time for visa
processing. | |
| Planning Ahead for the Visa Process, Not Just
Your Academic Admission |
| One of the most important things you can do to
ensure that you will be able to arrive in time for the start
of your educational program in the United States is to plan
well in advance, not only for the academic portion of your
U.S. program, but also for the visa process. This means you
will need to request and receive the appropriate
visa-qualifying document (either an I-20 or DS-2019) from the
U.S. institution or program sponsor well in advance of your
planned departure to the United States. You will also need to
make an appointment for your visa interview. |
| Applying for a Visa – Key Points to Keep in
Mind |
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Among the things you’ll need
to do is pay the SEVIS fee |
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Pay the visa processing fee and, |
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Make an appointment for the visa
interview |
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You should also make sure you have all
the documentation you will need when you go for the
interview, including |
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The visa-qualifying document (I-20
or DS-2019), |
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Financial support documents, |
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Proof of payment of the SEVIS and visa
fees, |
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And a completed visa application form.
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| Ensure that you complete the visa application
correctly. |
| Key Information about Visas and
Entering the United States |
| There are two additional bits of information
that are useful to know. |
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The first is that the U.S.
Embassy/Consulate cannot issue a visa more than 90 days
before the actual start of the program in the United
States. However, visa applicants are encouraged to apply
for their visa as soon as they are prepared to do so.
Thus, if the college or university to which you have
been admitted states on the I-20 or DS-2019 that the
program will start on September 1, a visa cannot be
issued before June 1. |
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Second, even if you have been issued a
visa to enter the United States, you will not be allowed
to enter the country more than 30 days before the start
of your program, if you are an initial entry student.
Returning students do not have this requirement. Using
the earlier example, if the program of study starts on
September 1, you will not be permitted to enter the
United States until August 1 or
later. | |
| Arriving & studying in the U.S. -
Immigration Related information |
| U.S. immigration law governs the entry of all
visitors to the United States, including students and exchange
visitors. It details what they are authorized to do during
their stay in the country. The Department of Homeland Security
(DHS) is the agency responsible for ensuring that these
visitors comply with U.S. law and regulations. When you arrive
in the United States, you, too, will come under the authority
of the Department of Homeland Security, and one of the three
units within DHS responsible for non-U.S. citizens: the Bureau
of Customs and Border Protection; the Bureau of Immigration
and Customs Enforcement; and the U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services Bureau. |
| On your plane to the U.S. or when you arrive
in the U.S., you will receive a Form I-94 (Arrival-Departure
Record). Please safeguard this form; it contains the official
record of your stay in the United States. |
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After you arrive in the U.S., you may wish to direct your
questions to the office at your educational institution that
is responsible for services to international students. This
office should be able to provide you with the answer(s) you
need or refer you to a person or office that can. |
| What to Do When You Arrive at the
College or University in the U.S ? |
| Once you arrive on campus, you should report
immediately to the office that is responsible for assisting
international students and scholars. It may be called the
Office of International Services, the Office of International
Education, the International Programs Office, or some other
similar name. Whatever the name, however, that office can help
you with any questions or concerns you may have about
immigration rules and regulations. Moreover, that office must
report your arrival within the SEVIS system. If this report is
not submitted, you may be considered to be in violation of
your status in the United States, so be sure to make the
international student office one of your first stops on
campus. |
| We hope that this information has been helpful
to you, and we wish you good luck as you prepare your plan to
study in the United States. |
