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Applying for F Visa
- A new I-20 issued by the International Office. It is also recommended you take front and back copies of all of your previous I-20’s.
- A valid passport (valid for at least 6 months into the future)
- Evidence of financial support.
- GA’s, RA's, TA's, & Fellowships: Complete an RA/TA Verification form.
- Funds from a sponsor or personal account: Bring a current bank statement or a letter on official bank letterhead not older than 2 months). If your sponsor is not your parent and is either a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, he/she will need to complete Form I-134 Affidavit of Support. Download form in Portable Document Format (also available at front desk)
- Scholarships: Verified with a letter from your college or supplying agency. It should also state if you are eligible for resident tuition.
- Proof of returning home. Student visa applicants must establish to the satisfaction of the visa officer that they have binding ties to a residence in a foreign country that they have no intention of abandoning.
- All of your transcripts from U.S. schools attended. If any fall or spring semester on the transcript shows less than full-time hours, discuss this with an International Office Advisor.
- Application form OF-156 (available at the U.S. consulate; it is not needed in advance).
- Money: Application fee (nonrefundable), cost of the visa (varies), and miscellaneous expenses (e.g., new I-94).
221 (g): Insufficient documentation
212 (a) (4): Likely to become a public charge (insufficient funds)
The biggest barrier to obtaining a visa is 214 (b). The visa officer is required to assume you really want to immigrate. It is your responsibility to prove differently. The officer will try to determine if you and your documents are believable. The following questions are designed to be a general guide in helping you prepare for your interview. The questions may not actually be asked, but they will increase your understanding.
Issue: This question is on the visa application. If immediate family members are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, the officer may believe you also may plan to immigrate.
Issue: These questions are also on the visa application. A yes answer is usually viewed negatively.
Issue: If it has been a long time since you returned home, it may be interpreted to mean that you no longer have strong ties to home. Frequent visits (at least every 1-2 years) will be a positive factor.
Issue: If the visa officer believes that you are over-educated (e.g., that you’re major or degree level is not relevant for your country), he may assume you are planning a career in the U.S.
Issue: It is often assumed that high schools are "centers of acculturation and you may be too American to want to return home.
Issue: If they are in the U.S., the officer knows it will be easier for you to remain in the U.S. If they are at home, you will return. This is why some students find it difficult to obtain visas for their families to join them in the U.S. This is sometimes referred to as the "hostage factor."
Job offer letter for future employment in your home country
Personal bank account in your home country with a substantial amount of money
Personal ownership of property or family properties you will inherit.
Family business in your home country that you will return to and/or inherit
Other documents that indicate strong ties to home
Issue: Any of these documents may help the visa officer believe you have strong ties to your home country.
Issue: If you have violated your legal status, it may be more difficult to obtain a visa. If your transcripts show any semester with less than full-time hours and it was authorized by the International Office, ask us for a letter to be attached to your transcripts.
Issue: The policies governing the issuance of visas varies; for each country. U.S. Embassies and Consulates are designed to operate on a reciprocal basis. If U.S. citizens have difficulty obtaining visas to enter your country, you will probably have similar difficulty entering the U.S. If visas for U.S. visitors are for a limited time, your visa will probably be granted for a limited time. Changes in relationships between the U.S. and your country may also affect your application. Students from some countries may have to wait several days extra or return at a later time for a visa, if the consular requires a security clearance first.
Issue: Most visa officers prefer that students apply for a visa in their home district in their home country. If you apply in a third country (e.g., Canada, Mexico, etc.), the consular officer may deny your visa application simply because of insufficient information
Issue: Visa officers may view students who change their status in the U.S. negatively. They see this as an attempt to bypass the routine visa application process. Some officers may even view it as proof that fraud was used in applying for the original visa. Changing your status in the U.S. from certain classifications (e.g., B-1/B-2 tourists changing to F-1) may affect your ability to obtain future visas.
Issue: Every U.S. Embassy, Consulate, and visa officer is autonomous. They have complete authority to make their own decisions. Each decision is final and may not be appealed. A review of the decision may be requested, but this is usually limited to procedural issues only. If there is a history of applicants from your country using false documents (visa fraud) in applying for visas or remaining in the U.S., it may be more difficult for you to obtain a visa. Keep in mind that policies at embassies and consulates may change at any time, both positively and negatively. Past information may not be reliable for evaluating current or future circumstances.