Emporia State University - U.S.A Visa Presentation

Adapted from the Bureau of Consular Affairs,

U.S. Department of State

Welcome to Emporia State University

James F. & Dorine D. Harter Office of International Education ESU

Kansas

The visa is a required document to enter the U.S.A. To enter the U.S.A. as a student, you must first be admitted to pursue studies in the U.S.A.

Emporia State University will process documents that will enable you to receive one of two types of visas:

F-1 for international student visa

J-1 for international exchange visitor


Together with your acceptance letter,

you received either the I-20 or the DS-

2019 form.

By issuing any of these documents,

you have been enrolled in the Student

and Exchange Visitor Information

System (SEVIS).


Remember:

If you received the I-20 document your type of visa will be F-1 (for international students).

I-20 F Visa

If you received the DS-2019 document, your visa will be J-1 (for international exchange visitors).

DS-2019 J Visa


Next steps:

After receiving the I-20 or DS-2019, you have to pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee on the following website: www.fmjfee.com

The SEVIS fee can be paid online or through Western Union (http://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/index.htm):

F-1 visa: $200

J-1 visa: $180

Note if you plan on bringing family members to the U.S.:

Each family member (spouse and children) must obtain individual Form I-20s, but they do not have to pay the SEVIS fee.


http://www.fmjfee.com/





http://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/index.htm












Before you meet with the Consular officer, complete the

online visa application, Form DS-160

To complete Form DS-160 online application, please go to https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/

Print the application form confirmation page and bring it for

your interview

You will upload your photo while completing the online

Form DS-160. Your photo must be in the format explained in

the Photograph Requirements. Please visit

http://travel.state.gov/visa/visaphotoreq/visaphotoreq_5334.html

for these requirements.


https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/

https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/

http://travel.state.gov/visa/visaphotoreq/visaphotoreq_5334.html

Schedule an interview

You must schedule an appointment for your visa interview at

the nearest U.S embassy or consulate in your city. You may

schedule your interview at any U.S. embassy or consulate,

but be aware that it may be difficult to qualify for a visa

outside of country of permanent residence.

Wait times for interviews vary by location, season, and visa

category. So, you should apply for your visa early. To learn

more about interview wait time, please visit

http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/wait/wait_4638.html



New Students – F-1 and J-1 student visas

can be issued up to 120 days in advance of

your course of study start date. However, you

will not be allowed to enter the U.S. in F-1 or

J-1 status earlier than 30 days before your

start date.

Continuing Students - May renew their visas

at any time, as long as they have maintained

student status and their SEVIS records are

current. Continuing students may enter the

U.S.A. at any time before their classes start

as long as the I-20 or DS-2019 and visa valid.


Prepare for your interview

The visa to study in the U.S. typically has a cost. You may

need to pay the non-refundable visa application fee before

your interview. Alternatively, in some other countries you

may need to pay a visa issuance reciprocity fee after your

visa issuance, if applicable to your country.

To learn about fees, please visit links below:

Fees visit here

http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1263.html

Reciprocity Tables visit here

http://travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_3272.html


http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1263.html

http://travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_3272.html

Gather required documentation: Passport, valid to travel to the U.S.A. must be valid for

at least six months beyond your period of stay in the

U.S. (unless exempt by county-specific agreements). If

more than one person is included in your passport, each

person who needs a visa must submit a separate

application.

Nonimmigrant visa application, Form DS-160

confirmation page.

Application fee payment receipt, if you are required to

pay before your interview.

Photo – you will upload your photo while completing the

online Form DS-160. If the photo upload fails, you must

bring one printed photo in the required format.


Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student

Status for Academic and Language Students (I-20 or DS-

2019 form).


Additional documentation may be required

Additional requested documents may include:

Evidence of your academic preparation such as

transcripts, diplomas, degrees, or certificates from

schools you attended and scores from tests that your U.S

school required such as TOEFL, SAT, GRE, or GMAT.

Your intent to return to your country after completing

the program of study at Emporia State University.

Show proof on how you will pay all educational, living,

and travel costs.


Attend your visa interview 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 for

your application process. They are usually taken during

your interview, but this varies based on location.


When the visa is approved, you may have to wait

to receive your passport and visa by post-mail.

To learn about visa processing time, please visit http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/wait/wait_4638.html



Additional information

We cannot guarantee that you will be issued a visa. Do not buy

an airline ticket until you have received a visa.

You have to demonstrate that you are a bona fide student:

Demonstrate to the Consular officer with compelling and strong

arguments why you chose to study at Emporia State University.

Articulate that you plan to return to your home country after finishing

your study in the U.S.A.

Be truthful to all questions you are asked. If the Consular officer asks

whether you have relatives or friends living in the U.S., you must say

the truth.

If a relative will finance your studies, be prepared to bring some bank

statements, property deeds, or any document that demonstrates you

will have sufficient funds to cover for your expenses in the U.S.A.


Please visit http://www.usembassy.gov/ and consult

the instructions available on the embassy or

consulate where you intend to apply your visa.


http://www.usembassy.gov/

Please visit website below to learn more on visa

denial and ineligibility. http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/denials/denials_1361.html


http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/denials/denials_1361.html

http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/denials/denials_1361.html

Mrs. Rozita Smith, Director International Student

and Scholar Services

Email: [email protected]

James F. & Dorine D. Harter

Office of International Education

Emporia State University

(Tel) 620.341.5374 (Fax) 620.341.5918


mailto:[email protected]

Documents

Emporia State University - U.S.A Visa Presentation