Non-Immigrant Visas
Student Visas (F-1 & M-1)
Every year hundreds of thousands of students come from around the world to take advantage of the excellent and varied educational opportunities and resources available in the United States. These visitors range from those pursuing bachelor’s degrees at liberal arts colleges, to doctoral students making new discoveries and honing their skills at some of the world’s foremost scientific and medical research institutions. In addition to receiving high-quality education, international students also enrich the American academic community and add to the diversity that helps make U.S. educational institutions among the best in the world.
We recognize that recent changes in visa issuance procedures have increased the time it takes to receive a visa. We are working to improve administrative processing procedures to facilitate legitimate travel. These procedures not only make the United States safer for U.S. citizens, but for visitors as well. While these changes may affect the time it takes for a successful applicant to receive a visa, the standards for eligibility remain the same.
Apply for your visa as soon as you have completed your preparation to study in the United States. Special processing requirements following the interview may increase the amount of time a successful applicant will wait before receiving a visa. Students should plan accordingly and are advised to apply at least three months prior to their intended date of travel. Please note that students may not enter the U.S. more than 30 days prior to the start date listed on the I-20.
There are two types of Student Visas:
- Academic studies (F-1 visa): For people who want to study or conduct research at an accredited U.S. college or University.
- Non-Academic or Vocational Studies (M-1 Visa): For people who want to study or train at a non-academic instfitution in the U.S.
How to Apply
Applicants for Student (F or J) visas are not required to schedule an appointment. After submitting their application through American Express and paying the application fee, applicants for Student and Exchange visitor visa applicant interview appointments are scheduled Monday – Thursday at 1:30 PM.
Applicants for F1 or M1 student visas must also pay an additional $100 SEVIS fee. This fee is paid directly to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) not to American Express or the Embassy. The Embassy will verify payment of this fee at the time of the interview but cannot collect this fee.
Currently this fee can be paid in U.S. dollars by check or international money order directly to DHS by mail, by credit card online at www.fmjfee.com, or via Western Union. Detailed instructions on how to pay the fee can be found at the following DHS website:http://www.ice.gov/graphics/sevis/i901/index.htm
Student visa applicants must bring the following to their interview:
- Completed application forms
- Passport (current and all prior)
- I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for Non-immigrant Student Status
- American Express fee receipt
- SEVIS fee receipt or proof of payment
- Additional supporting documents (optional)
Eligibility
Students who have been accepted at a U.S. school and are able to pay the full costs of their study are eligible to apply for a student visa. However, acceptance at a school in the U.S. does not ensure that an applicant will be qualified for a visa.
To qualify for a student visa, a student must demonstrate their qualifications as a student and the seriousness of their course of study in the US. Applicants should be prepared to discuss their reasons for studying in the United States and the details of the course of study they plan to undertake. Just as applicants for Visitor Visas, students must also establish they are not intending immigrants to the United States. Additionally, the applicant must prove that funds are immediately available to cover the first year of tuition and living expenses, and also provide evidence that funds will be available for all subsequent years.
Caution: By signing the visa application form you are certifying that all the information contained in it is true and correct. If you misrepresent any facts, you could be barred from entering the United States. Please double-check that all your answers are accurate and that every question is answered completely.
Please click here for more information on Student Visas.
Studying in the United States
For more information about studying in the United States, please contact the United States Education Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) or visit their website at: http://www.usefpakistan.org
Additionally, you may also go to Education USA to get more information on studying in the United States. Education USA is produced by the U.S. Department of State.
Also go to the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the Department of State to find other information about studying in the United States, including information on the Fulbright Program, English Language Programs, Humphrey Fellowships, Educational Partnership Programs and much more.