Nonimmigrant Visas
Apply for a Visa
Students & Exchange Visitors
As a student or exchange visitor, you must consider certain information and complete some extra steps before and when you apply for a visa. Please allow for these extra steps when you prepare for a course of study in the U.S. Below is the information and the extra steps.
SEVIS
If you are a student or exchange visitor you need to know about the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). SEVIS is an Internet-based system that maintains data on foreign students and exchange visitors and their dependents before and during their stay in the U.S. It is a key part of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and administered by the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). If you apply for a student or exchange visitor visa, in most cases, you must pay the SEVIS fee (SEVIS I-901 fee). The fee financially supports the SEVP and SEVIS. For more information about SEVIS and SEVP, visit the ICE website or contact the college or university where you intend to study.
Before you apply for a visa
A. You must obtain a SEVIS-generated document, either a Form I-20 or DS-2019, issued by a U.S. college or university or Department of State-designated sponsor organization. The U.S. academic institution or program sponsor will provide you with the appropriate SEVIS-generated form only when the institution academically admits you or the exchange program accepts you as a participant. A spouse/child who wishes to stay in the U.S. should be listed on your form or have their own SEVIS-generated form
B. Consider the visa interview appointment and visa processing wait times when you plan your application for a visa
When you apply for a visa
A. Apply early for a visa. Students should note the U.S. Embassy and U.S. Consulates are able to issue a student visa 120 days or less in advance of the course of study start date or registration date. In addition, all initial or beginning students can enter the U.S. 30 days or less in advance of the course of study start or registration date as shown on the Form I-20 or DS-2019
B. Before your visa interview, you must pay the SEVIS fee (SEVIS I-901 fee) and obtain a SEVIS fee payment receipt. The receipt is required at your visa interview. Do not leave payment to the last minute and do not pay the fee before you have a Form I-20 or DS-2019. The spouse/child of student or exchange visitor does not pay the SEVIS fee. For full information about the SEVIS fee, including payment options, go to the ICE website
C. If you plan to engage in technology-related study or research while in the U.S., a set of specific documents should accompany your visa application. Your application also may require additional administrative processing. For more details, click here
Further Information
First read the locally provided information about the visa application process, and then if you still have questions or just want more information, please use the following resources:
- EducationUSA
- EducationUSA Advice Centers
- U.S. Dept. of State: Student Visas
- U.S. Dept. of State: Exchange Visitor Visas
- SEVP, SEVIS & SEVIS I-901 Fee
- USCIS: Visit the U.S.
- Bureau of Educational & Cultural Affairs
- U.S. Educational Foundation in India (USEFI)
Apply for a Visa > learn more
Return to the Main Menu > click here