Student Visas

To study in the US in an academic or vocational institution, applicants must first be certified as potential US students before submitting their applications for visas.  The required document is form I-120, which is issued by a school or institution that has been approved by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and sent directly to the prospective student.  This form serves as your school acceptance letter for student visa purposes.

The student applicant must also be registered by the school in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).  Further information about SEVIS can be found at http://www.ice.gov/sevis/. The I-20 form will have a SEVIS identification number in the upper right corner.  Applicants must go online to http://www.fmjfee.com in order to register the number within the system.  There is a $100 registration fee.  Remember to print your receipt (the I-901 form) and bring it along with you during the interview.

The Interview

All student visa applicants must first schedule an interview appointment.  To schedule an appointment, callers must contact the Visa Information Service at 001-303-784-7919. The consulate in Curacao cannot schedule non-immigrant visa appointments and cannot give visa information.  The dates and times for NIV interviews will be given by the visa call center and each call costs $19 USD, payable by Visa or Mastercard.

On the day of the interview, the student submits a completed DS-156 visa application form to the consular section.   Please note that the DS-156 form must be completed online at http://evisaforms.state.gov and all three pages should be printed and submitted on the day of the interview.  All student visa applicants must also complete and submit the Contact Information and Work History for Nonimmigrant Visa Applicant Form DS-158.  All male student visa applicants between the ages of 16 and 45, as well as all applicants who are citizens of Iran, Syria, Cuba, North Korea and Sudan, must also submit Supplemental Application Form DS-157. 

During the interview, you will also be expected to show that you have adequate financial resources or scholarships to cover the cost of your study.  Like most non-immigrant visa applicants, you will also have to show that you have strong ties to the island you live on and that you plan to return after completing your studies.

The spouse and unmarried children (under age 21) of students can apply for visas on the basis of the principal applicant's student status. Each person must submit a completed visa application and passport and each person must pay a separate processing fee.  If family members are applying separately, they must present evidence (such as form I-20, page 4, properly endorsed) that the principal applicant has student status.  Applicants may also be requested to present marriage and birth certificates to confirm their relationship to the student.  Dutch "domestic partnership" relationships are not recognized for US visa purposes.

Students and their dependents may work only in certain situations. For example, on-campus employment provided by the school is generally allowed although employment may not exceed twenty hours a week while school is in session. Students may be allowed to work full-time during vacations and when the school is not in session. Spouses and children generally cannot work at all. When in doubt, check with the school's international student advisor. Keep in mind that students are expected to have the financial means --whether from scholarships, other income or a combination-- to complete a full course of study without working in the US.

All applicants must have sufficient scholastic preparation and knowledge of English (unless pursuing an English language training program) to undertake a full course of study. If English skills are inadequate, the school must show that it is equipped to offer, and has accepted the student expressly for, a full course of study in the student's language or that special arrangements have been made to tutor the student in English. The consular officer must be satisfied that an applicant will be able, with the assistance of such tutoring, to undertake a full course of study in the US.

 

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IMPORTANT

Be sure to apply early!!

Passports for approved sutdent visa applicants must be sent by us to Embassy Caracas for printing.  This takes 5-7 business days to process, print and return to the Consulate.  As such, it is impossible to have your visa on the same day as your interview.  Give yourself enough time to begin classes by applying at least 30 days before school starts.

Be sure to apply early!!

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Types of Student Visas

Academic Student (F-visa)

This category applies to applicants who have been accepted by an approved college, university, seminary, conservatory, high school, middle school, elementary school, or other academic institution, or in a language training program in the United States. The applicant's acceptance is evidenced by a completed certificate of eligibility (form I-20) signed by the applicant and the designated school official.

Vocational Visa (M-visa)

This category allows applicants to attend established vocational or other recognized non-academic institutions. For example, students attending culinary schools use this category. The approved institution indicates its acceptance of the applicant through a completed certificate of eligibility (form I-20M). The certificate must be signed by the applicant and the designated school official.

For much more student visa information, as well as information on U.S. schools, types of financial aid, degrees and other topics of interest to prospective students and parents, please visit our website at http://educationUSA.state.gov/.