Apply for a Visa Stamp
Pay the SEVIS Fee
You must have your I-20 or DS-2019 prior to paying the SEVIS fee. To obtain your immigration document refer here: Immigration Document Request .
Newly admitted F-1 and J-1 students must pay the SEVIS (I-901) fee before applying for a visa. This fee is separate from university and consular fees.
- Canadian citizens do not need an F-1/J-1 visa stamp but must still pay the SEVIS fee.
- Dependents (F-2/J-2) do not need to pay this fee.
Schedule Your Visa Appointment
F-1 Visas can be issued up to 365 days before your I-20 start date, so long as you have been issued the I-20. J-1 exchange visitors may apply at any point after receiving the DS-2019 You may enter the U.S. up to 30 days before your program start date. If admitted to multiple schools, you must choose your institution before applying for a visa and apply with that institutions I-20
Find a U.S. Embassy or Consulate and schedule an appointment online:
Visa processing times vary. Check the Department of State website for estimated processing times at your chosen embassy.
Set Your Social Media Profiles to Public
U.S. Department of State . According to the announcement, “all applicants for F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas will be instructed to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to ‘public.’”
Required Documents
To apply for an F-1 or J-1 visa, you’ll need:
- Valid passport
- I-20 or DS-2019 from Â鶹´«Ã½
- SEVIS (I-901) fee receipt
- Passport-style photos (check embassy specifications)
- Financial documentation
- Marriage/birth certificate (if dependents are applying separately)
- Any other document(s) required by your specific U.S. embassy/consulate’s website
Please note that students admitted to multiple schools must decide which school to attend before applying for a visa stamp.
Expedited Visa Appointments
If delays could prevent your timely arrival, you may request an expedited appointment. First, submit the DS-160 form, pay the visa fee, and schedule the earliest available appointment. Then, request an expedited interview if necessary, providing your I-20/DS-2019 as proof of your start date.
More details: How to Request an Expedited Interview.