The majority of international students will need an F-1 visa to study in the United States. In order to obtain an F-1 visa, you first need to acquire a Form I-20 from the university you have been accepted to and then gather the additional necessary documentation for the visa application.
To apply for the I-20, review the instruction sheet and complete the financial certification form. Send your form and the required attachments to Aida Neary or fax to +1 (401) 341-2972.
If you are currently abroad and do not yet have a valid U.S. student visa, you generally apply for one at the U.S. embassy or consulate with jurisdiction over your place of permanent residence. Although you may apply at any U.S. consular office abroad, it is generally more difficult to qualify for a visa outside your country of permanent residence.
You should apply for your student visa well in advance of the date you would like to depart for Salve Regina. Holiday and vacation periods are very busy times at U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide, and it is important to have your visa in time to arrive and begin orientation and registration activities no later than the start date on your I-20.
Appointments are now mandatory for all student visas, and some U.S. embassies and consulates require that appointments be made at least four to eight weeks in advance. The actual visa interview may be as early as 120 days prior to your planned arrival date in the United States.
All U.S. embassies and consulates have a website where you can read the latest information on visa procedures. Click here to locate your nearest embassy or
consulate.
SEVIS Fee
You are required to show proof of having paid the
federal SEVIS fee when you appear for your visa interview. The SEVIS
fee can only be paid after you have received your I-20.
Ways to pay:
- Online
with a credit card. You must complete Form I-901 and print out a receipt as
confirmation of payment. The information on Form I-901 must match the I-20
exactly. The Department of Homeland Security will also mail you a paper
receipt.
- By mail with a check, money order or foreign
draft drawn on a U.S. bank (made payable to the Department of Homeland
Security). Form I-901, which can be downloaded from www.fmjfee.com, must accompany the payment,
which is mailed to DHS, PO Box 970020, St. Louis, MO 63197-0020. The Department
of Homeland Security will also mail you a paper receipt.
You should present the SEVIS fee receipt at the
U.S. embassy or consulate with your F-1 visa application form and supporting
documents. U.S. embassies and consulates will be able to electronically verify
your payment, but it is strongly
recommended that you have the paper receipt when applying for a visa.