Student
All students (except Canadian citizens) must obtain a nonimmigrant visa (category F or M) prior to arrival in the United States. Minor children included in a parent’s passport require their own application. Note: Travelers born in the United States and those with U.S. citizenship must enter and depart the United States with a U.S. passport and do not require a visa.
Canadian citizens are not required to obtain a visa to study in the United States. Canadian students may enter the United States with a valid Canadian passport along with a valid I-20 (Original Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status) issued by a U.S. educational institution approved to accept foreign students. In addition, Canadian students should have the following ready for presentation to the Customs and Border Protection Inspector at the port of entry: documentary evidence of sufficient funds to cover expenses in the United States; evidence of a foreign residence, which they do not intend to abandon; and evidence of scholastic and linguistic proficiency for their academic program. Learn more about Canadian citizen travel to the United States.
Personal interview: Visa applicants ages 14 through 79 must appear in person before a Consular Officer for an interview and to scan their fingerprints for biometric identification.
Applicants should request an interview at the Embassy or Consulate with jurisdiction over their area of permanent residence. For example, those applying in Kuwait City should be Kuwaiti citizens or hold legal Kuwaiti residency and be able to demonstrate strong economic, familial and/or social ties to the country.
U.S. immigration law requires that nonimmigrant visa applicants present evidence of strong economic, familial and/or social ties to a residence outside of the United States to which they are compelled to return upon the timely completion of their degree or educational program. Applications unable to demonstrate such ties will be refused.
Getting Started
Step 1: Fill out the form online: To begin filling out the application form (DS-160), click here
Step 2: Schedule an appointment:
To schedule your visa appointment online, you will need the barcode from your completed application. To access our appointment schedule click here. When scheduling your appointment, please include your phone number and email address so that we may contact you if necessary.
Students unable to schedule a timely appointment:
Students in need of scheduling an early appointment should contact us with the following info:
Name
Date of birth
Nationality
The course start date on the I-20
Students will be contacted if they are eligible for an early appointment.
Step 3: Application requirements:
Photograph: Take a digital photo meeting the requirements below (examples can be viewed here) and bring one (1) copy of it with you for your visa interview:
- 5cm x 5cm in size
- Taken within last six (6) months
- In color or black and white
- White background
- Displays full face (looking directly at the camera)
- Wearing sunglasses is not acceptable
- Head coverings: Women: acceptable for religious reasons but may not cover any portion of the face including the forehead, jaw line, eyebrows and cheeks. Men: not acceptable.
- Military, airline or other personnel may not wear hats or uniforms
Application: Prepare the following application in its entirety and bring it with you to your interview at the Embassy:
Original Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status (I-20A-B for F visa or I-20M-N for M visa) issued by a U.S. educational institution approved to accept foreign students. Any accompanying dependent(s) spouse and/or children) must be listed on the I-20.
Passport: 1 copy of your passport photo page. Your name and date of birth must be written in English by the issuing country (even for minor children included in a parent’s passport). The passport must have a minimum validity of six (6) months.
SEVIS registration fee: Applicants must pay a nonrefundable SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) registration fee. Click here for payment instructions. Please bring a payment receipt to the interview.
Visa application fee: A Burgan Bank receipt, valid one (1) year from the date of issuance, for the $160 fee is required. Have your passport with you when paying the fee. This fee is nonrefundable even if a visa is not granted. This fee is in addition to the SEVIS fee and is nonrefundable even if a visa is not granted. This fee is waived for those traveling on diplomatic passports or on official government business.
Evidence of financial support: Applicants fmust show evidence of financial support for the duration of study. This would include a letter of sponsorship from a governmental authority, if applicable.
Note: Initial-entry applicants may not enter the United States more than 30 days before the start date of their academic program noted on the I-20.
Continuing Students: Getting Started
Step 1: Fill out the form online: To begin filling out the application form (DS-160), click here
Step 2: Schedule an appointment:
To schedule your visa appointment online, you will need the barcode from your completed application. To access our appointment schedule click here. When scheduling your appointment, please include your phone number and email address so that we may contact you if necessary.
Students unable to schedule a timely appointment: Students in need of scheduling an early appointment should contact us with the following info:
Name
Date of birth
Nationality
The course start date on the I-20
Students will be contacted if they are eligible for an early appointment.
Step 3: Application requirements:
Photograph: Take a digital photo meeting the requirements below and bring one (1) copy of it with you for your visa interview:
- 5cm x 5cm in size
- Taken within last six (6) months
- In color or black and white
- White background
- Displays full face (looking directly at the camera)
- Wearing sunglasses is not acceptable
- Head coverings: Women: acceptable for religious reasons but may not cover any portion of the face including the forehead, jaw line, eyebrows and cheeks. Men: not acceptable.
- Military, airline or other personnel may not wear hats or uniforms
Application: Prepare the following application in its entirety and bring it with you to your interview at the Embassy:
Note: Incomplete or unsigned forms will not be accepted.
Original Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status (I-20A-B for F visa or I-20M-N for M visa): new or endorsed on the back page by a school official within the past 12 months
Burgan Bank receipt, valid one (1) year from the date of issuance, for the $160 fee is required. This fee is waived for those traveling on diplomatic passports or on official government business. This fee is nonrefundable even if a visa is not granted. Evidence of financial support: Applicants must show evidence of financial support for the duration of study.
Step 4: Recommended document:
Transcript: Official copy of grades from the school in which the student is enrolled.
Note: F or M student visas become invalid if the student is not studying for a period of more than five (5) months either within or outside of the United States.
For additional student visa information, please visit the Department of State website
After reviewing the frequently asked questions, contact us if you still have an inquiry regarding consular services.