Exemplary Practices

Obtaining an F-1 Student Visa

• Apply for your F-1 Visa early. Because of new security procedures, the waiting period can be lengthy.
• Pay the $100 SEVIS fee. The IELP will send the SEVIS payment receipt along with your I-20 if you included the $100 SEVIS fee payment with your application fee. If you did not include the payment, go to https://www.fmjfee.com/index.jhtml to pay online or to find out more information.
• Pay the visa application fee. Usually this is $100 (US).
• Make an appointment at the embassy or consulate if required.
• Take all required documents to the embassy or consulate.
  • I-20 from IELP
  • SEVIS payment receipt
  • Receipt for payment of application fee
  • Financial documents
  • IELP letter of acceptance/ housing reservation
  • DS-156 form (Please fill out neatly and completely. Use your name as it is in your passport.)
  • DS-157 form (Males only, ages 16-45)
  • DS-158 (check to see if this is required at the embassy in your country)
• Consider the interview a formal event. Business clothes are appropriate.
• The F-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa. It is only issued to applicants who plan to return to their home country. You will need to prove to the visa officer that you plan to return to your country. Here are some suggestions.
  1. Be clear and specific, but do not memorize a speech. The officers want you to be honest.
  2. Take evidence that you plan to return home after your studies in the U.S., for example:
     • A letter from someone in a government position or business management who plans to offer you a job when you return
     • Documents that show land ownership or a family business
     • If brother or sister studied in the U.S. and then returned home, a copy of their diploma and a letter from their employer stating that they returned home for employment. You can also bring their passport to show that they returned.
     • A letter from your employer stating that your job will be held for you while you are away and that English will be useful for your future employment with the company.
     • If close family members have important positions in the government, in education, or with private corporations, you can bring supporting documentation.
  3. You should be ready to discuss your plans for the future. Be prepared to answer these two questions:
     • Why do you need to go to the United States to study English?
     • Why did you choose to go to school in CITY?

Entering the U.S. in F-1 Status

• After you have your student visa, check it to verify all the information is correct, for example, the spelling of your name and your date of birth. Also verify that they have given you the correct visa classification.
• When you travel, you should carry your immigration documents on your person— do not put them in your luggage! You will need to show them to the immigration officer. Here are the documents you should carry with you:
  • Your passport
  • Your I-20
  • Your evidence of financial resources
• If you are traveling by air, the flight attendant will give you a Customs Declaration Form and an I-94 Arrival-Departure Record Form. You must fill this out to give it to the immigration officer when you arrive. If you do not understand the form, ask the flight attendant for assistance.
• Upon arrival, proceed to the area for entry inspection by the Department of Homeland Security (immigration). Have ready your passport, I-20, I-94 form, and Customs Declaration form (CF-6059).
  
  You will be asked to state the reason you are entering the U.S. It is important that you tell the officer that you will be a student.
• All visitors holding non-immigrant visas will be photographed digitally and have an index finger scan.
• If the Homeland Security officer wants to verify your admission in PROGRAM NAME, he or she can call the PROGRAM NAME office at PHONE NUMBER and speak to STAFF MEMBER