Fort Hays State University

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Fort Hays State University

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How to Obtain an Intial F-1 Student Visa

If you are applying for a student F-1 visa for the first time, an in-person interview is required. June, July, August are usually the busiest months, so it might be difficult to get an appointment during this time. Do not wait until the last minute! You are encouraged to apply for your visa as soon as you know when you plan to travel. Allow several weeks for planning and getting an appointment for the visa. You can call the Embassy or go to the Embassy web site for information and instructions.

1. Applicants for a student F-1 visa must provide the following documents when they go to the Embassy for the interview.
	A. A Form I-20 (include your welcome letter from your University or College) B. A completed DS-158 and DS-156 non-immigrant visa application with a photo (forms available at the Embassy) C. A passport valid for at least six (6) months beyond your expected stay in the US D. A receipt for the visa processing fee (SEVIS fee) E. Financial documents (such as bank books, account statements, tax documents) that show you have sufficient funds (money) to cover tuition and living expenses during your time in the US. The Embassy official might need evidence that there are no restrictions on the transfer of funds that would prevent the funds from being available during the projected stay. F. Proof of your relationship to your spouse and children if you are married and/or have children.

2. Embassy officials may also want to see:
	A. Evidence that you have strong economic, social, family, or career ties to your home country. Applicants for an F-1 student visa or any non-immigrant visa must convince the official that: 1. you have a residence in your home country 2. you intend to return to that residence 3. you intend to leave the US when your course of study is completed B. Other requested documents the official may want to see are transcripts, diplomas, standardized test scores(TOEFL).

3. How to prepare for your visa interview:
	A. In addition to the documents you present, you need to listen carefully to the questions the Embassy official might ask you. B. Even if the official asks you a question that you think is strange, you must answer it. The official is usually trying to decide whether you intend to stay in the US after you have completed your program. If the official thinks you plan to stay in the US. he or she must refuse your visa. Remember, the F-1 student visa is for people who intend to return to their home country. Tell the official when you are going to go home. C. In addition, you can prepare reasons why you want to study in English in the US. Examples may be professional development, learning English more quickly and efficiently is helped by first-hand knowledge of the American culture and interaction with many native speakers. D. Do not say you want to go to the US just because your friends are there or you have family in the US, or because you like American movies or some other unimportant reason. E. Remember that an official has to see as many as 200 people a day. Officials do not have alot of time to discuss your application; they must make a quick decision. Help them by being completely prepared.

4. What to do if the offical refuses to give you a visa:
	The most frequent reason for a visa refusal is that the official thinks you will 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 greatly. Think again about your ties to your home country: family relationships, job, home or farm ownership, other commitments. Is there any additional evidence that you could present? Did you explain your situation clearly? Did you answer all the questions? Consular officers have the responsibility for issuance or denial of visas. If your visa is denied, you can re-apply. If you decide to re-apply, you should be prepared to show additional evidence or explain in a different way how your situation has changed since the first application. You should try to apply at least twice. If you are refused a second time, the probability that a third try will work is not very high. Ask the offcial for a written reason for the refusal. Additional information is available at the Department of State website at: http://www.state.gov and the USCIS website at: http://uscis.gov

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