Instructions for applicants who have booked an appointment to apply for an F or M (Student) Visa

Prior to your visa interview you are required to take the following THREE STEPS outlined below. Please review the information carefully. The failure to present the required forms and documents on the day of the interview will result in the cancellation of your appointment.

STEP ONE: Complete the visa application form DS-160 for each person applying for a visa, even babies and children who may be included in a parent's passport.

STEP TWO: Gather the documents required for the interview.

• Confirmation page of the DS-160. Please follow this link for further information; 
• The Nonimmigrant Visa Interview Confirmation letter;
• A print out of the receipt for the MRV application fee which is sent together with the Nonimmigrant Interview Confirmation Letter, if applicable;
• A passport or other travel document valid for at least six months beyond the holder's period of stay in the United States with at least one blank page - the six-month requirement does not apply to United Kingdom passports. If the passport is damaged, we recommend that you obtain a new passport before applying for the visa to avoid any delay in the processing of your application;
• A photograph if you have been unsuccessful in uploading one to the DS-160.  If your upload was successful, but the photograph does not meet Department of State specifications, we will not be able to accept your application.  You will be asked to return at a later date with a new photograph.  For further information see our Slideshare presentation;
• The I-20A-B, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status - For Academic or Language Students or I-20M-N, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (M-1) Student Status Form;
• A SEVIS fee receipt. Note: Only F-1 and M-1 visa applicants are required to pay the SEVIS fee and only if the I-20A-B or M-N was issued on or after September 1, 2004. Please follow this link to our website for further information;
• Evidence of applicant's status in the United Kingdom, if not a U.K. or EU passport holder; and
• Evidence of previously issued U.S. visas if not contained in the current passport.

Note: The decision to approve or deny the application will be based on the interview and information provided orally. However, the consular officer may ask the applicant to provide documentary evidence of the following:

• funds sufficient to cover all expenses including tuition while in the United States. Such evidence may include detailed bank statements of your or your parent's accounts showing that adequate funds are available for transfer, evidence of scholarships and/or combination of finances which will meet the estimated total expenses, including tuition, of your proposed stay in the United States;
• a residence abroad to which he/she intends to return at the end of the stay in the United States. This is generally established by evidence of family, professional, property, employment or other ties and commitments to some country other than the United States sufficient to cause the applicant to return there at the conclusion of his/her stay; and
• detailed information concerning his/her academic qualifications. Such evidence may include complete transcripts of grade (marks) and test records of the last four years of school and evidence of TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores.

STEP THREE: Check the following additional requirements. If they apply in your case, you will be required to present the requested documents at the interview:

• applicants who have been arrested and/or have a criminal conviction, have a medical ineligibility, have been denied entry into or deported from the United States;
• professionals and academics in the areas of science and technology
• nationals of Northern Cyprus

Reminder: We always recommend that individuals apply for visas well in advance of their proposed date of travel. No assurances regarding the issuance of visas can be given in advance. Therefore, final travel plans or the purchase of non refundable ticket should not be made until a visa has been issued and you are in receipt of the passport.