Apply for an F-1 Visa

 

The following information should be used as a guide only. For complete information about applying for your F-1 visa, you should be in contact with the U.S. Consulate where you will be applying.

 

You will need the following documents from UND:

• Admission Letter
• SEVIS Form I-20

This is the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status--the school's statement to the government that you have met the initial admission and financial requirements to attend the university.

• Assistantship offer letter (Certain graduate students only)

Graduate students who are receiving a graduate assistantship and are using that as a source of funding on their I-20 form must be able to provide a copy of the assistantship offer letter at the time of visa application.

 

How to Obtain your Form I-20

• Your form I-20 cannot be issued until all of the following steps have been completed:

o You have been granted admission

o You have accepted the offer of admission (graduate students only)

o You have submitted all necessary financial support documentation

• After all of the necessary steps have been completed, your file is submitted to the Office of International Programs and the I-20 will be created by an International Student Advisor.

• An International Student Advisor will contact you about your options for having it mailed.  Your I-20 will be mailed to you by air mail unless you choose to pay for an express shipping fee.  Please contact an International Student Advisor to discuss this option if you are interested.

 

Obtaining I-20 Forms for Dependents

You may bring dependents-spouse or children-with you when you come to the United States.

• Each dependent will need to apply for an F-2 visa.
• Each dependent will need his or her need own I-20 form.
• If you are bringing dependents, be sure to indicate the following information on your financial support documentation:

o That you are bringing dependents

o That you have the additional funding sources requested for dependent I-20s (indicated on the certification of finances form)

o Provide the requested biographical information for each dependent

 

 

Scheduling your visa appointment

• In most circumstances you will not be able to schedule your visa appointment until you have your I-20.
• You will need your I-20 for the appointment.
• If you are able to schedule the appointment without your I-20, be certain that you will have it in time for the actual appointment. Contact an International Student Advisor for more information.
• Contact the nearest U.S. Consulate to schedule your visa interview

 

Preparing for your visa interview

• Review the information on the U.S. State Department F-1 Student Visa Information Page and on the website of the consulate for detailed lists of what you will need to bring to your visa interview.
• Gather all of the documents that you will need.
• Pay your SEVIS (I-901) Fee before the day of your interview. You will need to bring the receipt with you to your interview.
• Pay your non-refundable Machine Readable Visa Fee (Visa application Fee) as directed by the U.S. Consulate
• Be prepared to answer questions honestly and clearly about your program of study, your plans, your finances, your intent to return after your studies. Remember that your visa interview is a conversation not just a review of your documents.

 

After the Interview

There are three possible outcomes of your visa interview

• Approved: Your visa is approved. You will receive information from the consular official regarding the production of the visa and approximately when you will receive it. Often your passport with the new visa is sent to your home within a few days.
• Denied: Your visa application is not approved. The consular official will give you a paper with a written explanation of the denial. Be sure to keep the paper. If you choose to pursue the application again, it will be important to have the written information about why you were denied the first time.
• Pending: A decision has not yet been made on your visa application. It may be necessary for the consulate to do an additional background check or clearance, do additional review or your case or you may need to provide the consulate with additional documents. You should be given an explanation in writing telling you what the next steps in your case will be.

In general, the Office of International Programs cannot intervene in the visa application process. However, if you have questions, you are welcome to contact an International Student Advisor at any time.