Overview
The Student (F-1/M-1) Visa provides opportunities for qualified applicants to study at accredited post secondary institutions in the United States. With thousands of academic programs, world-class institutions, and unmatched flexibility, the United States offers a wealth of higher-education opportunities. Visit the Department of State’s EducationUSA website to learn about educational opportunities for undergraduate and graduate study, opportunities for scholars, admissions, and more.
Students may make appointments through our online system or by requesting an expedited appointment via email. Instructions on how to request an appointment may be found through our Visa Navigator.
The Exchange Visitor (J-1) Visa program provides countless opportunities for international candidates looking to travel and gain experience in the United States. The multifaceted programs enable foreign nationals to come to the United States to teach, study, conduct research, demonstrate special skills or receive on the job training for periods ranging from a few weeks to several years. To learn more about exchange visitor visa programs, program sponsors, and more, please visit j1visa.state.gov.
Citizens of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) participating countries who intend to study cannot travel on the VWP or on visitor (B) visas, except to undertake recreational study as part of a tourist visit. Students must travel to the United States with student (F-1 or M-1) visas. For more information on the VWP, see Visa Waiver Program.
For short periods of recreational study, a Visitor (B) visa can be used. Enrollment in a short recreational course of study, which is not for credit toward a degree or academic certificate, is permitted on a visitor (B) visa. Learn more about Visitor Visas.
Study leading to a U.S. conferred degree or certificate is not permitted on a visitor (B) visa, even if it is for a short duration. For example, distance learning which requires a period of time on the institution’s U.S. campus requires an F-1 visa.
How to Apply
Student Visa (F-1/M-1)
Before you can apply at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate for an F or M student visa, you must first apply to and be accepted by a SEVP approved school. Visit the Department of Homeland Security Study in the States school search page to search for SEVP-certified schools.
When you are accepted by the U.S. school you plan to attend, you will be enrolled in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). You must pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee. The U.S. school will provide you with a Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1/M-1) Student Status-For Academic and Language Students (Form I-20) to present to the consular officer when you attend your visa interview. If your spouse and/or children intend to reside with you in the United States while you study, they must obtain individual Form I-20s, but they do not pay the SEVIS fee. Visit the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) website to learn more about SEVIS and the SEVIS I-901 Fee.
Exchange Visitor Visa (J-1)
Before you can apply at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate for a J-1 visa, you must first apply for and be accepted into an exchange visitor program through a designated sponsoring organization. Visit the Department of State J-1 Visa Exchange Visitor Program website to learn about program requirements, regulations, and more.
When you are accepted into the exchange visitor program you plan to participate in, you will be enrolled in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Most J-1 Exchange Visitors must pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee. Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status, Form DS-2019. After your program sponsor enters your information in the SEVIS system, a SEVIS-generated Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status (Form DS-2019) is provided to you. All exchange visitors, including their spouses and minor children, must be registered in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Each person receives a separate Form DS-2019. Visit the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) website to learn more about SEVIS and the SEVIS I-901 Fee.
In addition to the Form DS 2019, participants in the J-1 Trainee and Intern categories require Form DS-7002 (based on Box 7 on Form DS-2019). Learn more about the Trainee and Intern programs.
Step 1. Check the Validity of your Passport
- Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay in the United States (e.g. if you plan to go to the United States for one month in March, your passport must be valid at least through October).
- Your passport must have at least one blank visa page.
Step 2. Complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160
Fill out the DS-160 Electronic Application Form.
All visa applicants must CAREFULLY check information entered on their DS-160 visa application form. Minor errors may be corrected on the day of the appointment, but if you notice a major error or have an update to your application (recent marriage, change in travel plans), please complete a new DS-160 form and bring the updated confirmation page with you to your appointment.
The Consular Section is not able to issue visas on the day of the interview. All applicants are encouraged to apply for visas well in advance of planned travel to the United States. The Consular Section strongly advises you to purchase tickets or book reservations only after you have received your nonimmigrant visa.
Students whose classes start within 30 days may request an expedited appointment by following the directions in our online Navigator.
Step 3. Collect any Supporting Documentation
For your interview, you will need a valid passport; DS-160 confirmation page; a 2 x 2 inch color photo not older than 6 months – with a light or white background (if not uploaded in the electronic application); original I-20 form; and the SEVIS payment receipt (SEVIS fee must be paid before the interview at fmjfee.com). Additional documents may be requested to establish whether you are qualified for the visa. For example, additional requested documents may include evidence of your ability to pay or your educational background.
Note: Visa applicants must qualify on the basis of the applicant’s residence and ties abroad, rather than assurances from U.S. family and friends. A letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support is not needed to apply for a nonimmigrant tourist visa. If you do choose to bring a letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support to your interview, please remember that it is not one of the factors that we use in determining whether to issue or deny a nonimmigrant visa.
Step 4. Schedule an Interview Appointment
To schedule an appointment for a non-immigrant visa (NIV) interview, please go to NIV Appointment System. Please, have your DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form Confirmation Number handy. It is located on your DS-160 confirmation page, in bold print.
Step 5. Interview with a Consular officer
During your visa interview, a consular officer will determine whether you are qualified to receive a visa, and if so, which visa category is appropriate based on your purpose of travel. You will need to establish that you meet the requirements under U.S. law to receive the category of visa for which you are applying. Ink-free, digital fingerprint scans will be taken as part of your application process. They are usually taken during your interview.
Step 5. Pay the MRV Fee
On the day of your interview, please pay the appropriate nonrefundable visa application fee. All visa fees must be paid in U.S. dollars or Kyrgyz som based on the exchange rate established by the U.S. Embassy at the cash desk of the Consular section on the day of interview. Please, note that this fee is non-refundable. Applicants should not pay this fee unless they are 100% confident that they want to apply for the U.S. visa.
NOTE: Payment for your interview is due at the time of service. We request the exact payment amount for the interview, either in KGS or USD (crisp and unmarked), but not both. We do not accept credit cards for payment. Applicants whose visas are approved may be required to pay an additional reciprocity fee. Please check the Reciprocity Fee Schedule and plan accordingly for your visit.
Step 7. Pay the Visa Issuance Fee
If your visa is approved, you may also pay a visa issuance fee, depending on the type of visa issued. If you are a Kyrgyz national and you are issued a B-1/B-2 Tourism & Visit visa, you will need to pay an additional fee. Issuance Fee depends on your nationality. Please check the Reciprocity Fee Schedule for additional information.
Step 8. Return to Collect your Passport and Visa
You will be informed of the time and date of that your may collect your passport at the time of the interview. In general, passport pass-back takes place on Wednesdays and Fridays at 14:30. Passports may be collected from the Consular section entrance with your payment receipt. Your designated representative may collect the passport on your behalf if you are unable to collect it yourself.
Case Status
Exchange Visitors
When you agree to participate in an Exchange Visitor Program and your program falls under certain conditions, you will be subject to the two-year home-country physical presence (foreign residence) requirement. This means you will be required to return to your home country for two years at the end of your exchange visitor program before you can do any of the following:
- Change status while in the United States to the nonimmigrant categories of temporary worker (H) or intracompany transferee (L);
- Adjust status while in the United States to immigrant visa/lawful permanent resident status (LPR);
- Receive an immigrant visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate; or
- Receive a temporary worker (H), intracompany transferee (L), or fiancé (K) visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Please visit our Exchange Visitor Visa page on usvisas.state.gov to learn more.
Exchange Visitors – Additional Information
- We cannot guarantee that you will be issued a visa. Do not make final travel plans or buy tickets until you have a visa.
- For information about employment, review Exchange Visitors and Employment Authorization on the USCIS website.
- Spouse and children
- Your spouse and unmarried, minor children may be able to apply for J-2 visas to accompany or join you at a later date to reside with you during your J program, if permitted on your exchange program category. While SEVIS fee payment is not required, your sponsor must issue them separate DS-2019 Forms, which are required when they apply for their visas, along with a copy of the primary visa holder’s J-1 visa and proof of relationship.
- Your minor children are permitted to attend school while in the United States on J-2 visas and are not required to obtain student (F) visas.
- Unless canceled or revoked, a visa is valid until its expiration date. Therefore, a valid U.S. visa in an expired passport is still valid. If you have a valid visa in your expired passport, do not remove it from your expired passport. You may use your valid visa in your expired passport along with a new valid passport for travel and admission to the United States.
Students – Additional Information
- We cannot guarantee that you will be issued a visa. Do not make final travel plans or buy tickets until you have a visa.
- For information about employment, review Students and Employment and Form I-765 Work Authorization Instructions on the USCIS website.
- Students who are outside the United States, and who have not been attending classes for five (5) months or more, should apply for a new student visa to reenter the United States.
- Spouse and children
- Your spouse and unmarried, minor children who intend to reside with you during your study may apply for F-2 or M-2 visas. Although SEVIS fee payment is not required, your school must issue them an individual Form I-20, which is required to apply for their visas. You must provide a copy of your F-1 or M-1 visa and provide proof of relationship.
- Your minor children are permitted to attend school in the United States while accompanying you.
- Unless canceled or revoked, a visa is valid until its expiration date. Therefore, a valid U.S. visa in an expired passport is still valid. If you have a valid visa in your expired passport, do not remove it from your expired passport. You may use your valid visa in your expired passport along with a new valid passport for travel and admission to the United States.
After the Interview
Exchange Visitors
When you agree to participate in an Exchange Visitor Program and your program falls under certain conditions, you will be subject to the two-year home-country physical presence (foreign residence) requirement. This means you will be required to return to your home country for two years at the end of your exchange visitor program before you can do any of the following:
- Change status while in the United States to the nonimmigrant categories of temporary worker (H) or intracompany transferee (L);
- Adjust status while in the United States to immigrant visa/lawful permanent resident status (LPR);
- Receive an immigrant visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate; or
- Receive a temporary worker (H), intracompany transferee (L), or fiancé (K) visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Please visit our Exchange Visitor Visa page on usvisas.state.gov to learn more.
Exchange Visitors – Additional Information
- We cannot guarantee that you will be issued a visa. Do not make final travel plans or buy tickets until you have a visa.
- For information about employment, review Exchange Visitors and Employment Authorization on the USCIS website.
- Spouse and children
- Your spouse and unmarried, minor children may be able to apply for J-2 visas to accompany or join you at a later date to reside with you during your J program, if permitted on your exchange program category. While SEVIS fee payment is not required, your sponsor must issue them separate DS-2019 Forms, which are required when they apply for their visas, along with a copy of the primary visa holder’s J-1 visa and proof of relationship.
- Your minor children are permitted to attend school while in the United States on J-2 visas and are not required to obtain student (F) visas.
- Unless canceled or revoked, a visa is valid until its expiration date. Therefore, a valid U.S. visa in an expired passport is still valid. If you have a valid visa in your expired passport, do not remove it from your expired passport. You may use your valid visa in your expired passport along with a new valid passport for travel and admission to the United States.
Students – Additional Information
- We cannot guarantee that you will be issued a visa. Do not make final travel plans or buy tickets until you have a visa.
- For information about employment, review Students and Employment and Form I-765 Work Authorization Instructions on the USCIS website.
- Students who are outside the United States, and who have not been attending classes for five (5) months or more, should apply for a new student visa to reenter the United States.
- Spouse and children
- Your spouse and unmarried, minor children who intend to reside with you during your study may apply for F-2 or M-2 visas. Although SEVIS fee payment is not required, your school must issue them an individual Form I-20, which is required to apply for their visas. You must provide a copy of your F-1 or M-1 visa and provide proof of relationship.
- Your minor children are permitted to attend school in the United States while accompanying you.
- Unless canceled or revoked, a visa is valid until its expiration date. Therefore, a valid U.S. visa in an expired passport is still valid. If you have a valid visa in your expired passport, do not remove it from your expired passport. You may use your valid visa in your expired passport along with a new valid passport for travel and admission to the United States.