APPLYING FOR AN F-1 VISA

 

Please click here for a list of documents required to apply for a visa.

 

Click here for important tips when applying for the visa.

What if I am denied a visa?

If you are denied a visa and are not able to arrive at A&M-Commerce by your program start date on line 5 of your I-20 then you will need to defer your admission. Please click here for more information. The ISSO will not contact a Consulate office on behalf of a student if a visa is denied.

If a visa is denied, the consular official should give the applicant the reason(s) for denial in writing. The denial letter will specify which section of the law was applied in your case.

If a specific document is lacking (even though the document may be difficult to obtain) the consul will give written notice to the applicant explaining what documents are needed. This is called a 221(g) letter. You should collect the missing documents and arrange to deliver them to the consular officer. You may need to return for a follow-up interview.

If you are denied under any section of the law other than 221(g), for instance: 214(b) or 212(a), you will have to reapply at a later date. If you are denied under 214(b), we do not recommend re-applying unless your personal circumstances, that prove your non-immigrant intent, change significantly or you feel that you did not present all the information the officer would have needed to approve your visa.

For more information please click here.

 

SEVIS I-901 Fee

All student visa applicants must have a SEVIS generated I-20 issued by an educational institution approved by DHS, which they submit when they are applying for their student visa. The consular officer will need to verify your I-20 record electronically through the SEVIS system in order to process your student visa application. Unless otherwise exempt, participants whose SEVIS I-20 was issued on or after September 1, 2004 must pay a SEVIS I-901 Fee to the Department of Homeland Security for each individual program.

Be sure to pay the Sevis fee at least 3 days prior to the visa appointment at the U.S. embassy or consulate, because the visa application requires proof of the payment, the SEVIS identification number to which the fee was paid.

For basic information regarding the SEVIS I-901 fee please click here.

 

Please click here for frequently asked questions about the SEVIS I-901 fee.

 

Please click here to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee online with a credit/debit card.

 

The Visa Interview

 

Click here for a list of documents required at the visa interview.

Please click here for more information on the visa interview.

Late Arrival to the U.S.

 

The ISSO will not give students permission to arrive after their program start date on line 5 of their I-20. If you are unable to arrive in Commerce on time to attend the international student orientation then it is recommended that you defer your admission to the next semester. Please click here for more information.