What is the I-20 and how do I get it?
The I-20 form is an official U.S. government document issued by a certified U.S. school, which a nonimmigrant student planning to enroll must have in order to apply for an F-1 or M-1 visa. The I-20 serves as proof of enrollment and contains the information required to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee, apply for a visa, or change visa status. The form displays the student's SEVIS ID number, located just above the barcode on the upper right, starting with the letter N followed by nine digits.
How early should I apply for a student visa?
Generally, based on the program start date listed on your I-20, you may apply for a student visa up to 120 days in advance. As long as it is within 120 days of your report date, the earlier you apply for the visa, the better, to ensure timely enrollment. Don't wait until the last minute!
When applying for a student visa, please follow these simple steps to avoid common mistakes that can cause delays.
Make sure your I-20 form is complete and accurate, with the school's official signature;
Pay your SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) fee well before your interview so that the information can be processed in the system in time;
Prepare a visa photo that meets all requirements.
After I receive my visa, when can I travel to the U.S.?
No matter when your visa is issued, if you are traveling to the U.S. for the first time, you can only enter within 30 days of the start date shown on your I-20. Now that you have a student visa, when can you enter the U.S.? You may enter the U.S. no earlier than 30 days (one month) before your program start date!
If you wish to enter the U.S. more than 30 days before your program starts, you will need to apply for a B2 tourist visa. If you enter the U.S. on a B2 tourist visa, you must apply to change your status to student status with the USCIS within the Department of Homeland Security before beginning your studies.
If a B-1/B-2 visa holder receives an admission offer and I-20 while in the U.S., can they change status to student visa?
Yes. Generally, you may apply to change your nonimmigrant visa status if you meet all the following conditions: you entered the U.S. legally with a nonimmigrant visa; your nonimmigrant status remains valid; you have not violated the conditions of your status; and you have not engaged in any actions that would make you unlawfully present.
What should I do if I receive a new I-20 from another school after scheduling my visa interview?
If you receive a new I-20 from another school after scheduling your visa interview, please inform the consular officer during your interview.
I previously held an H-1B work visa and have now been admitted to a university. Can I change to F-1 visa? Do I need to return to my home country to apply for a student visa?
No, as long as you are in the U.S., you do not need to apply for a new visa, because a visa is only for entry. Please consult USCIS about whether you need to adjust your status. However, once you depart the U.S., you will need to apply for a student visa to re-enter.
Can F-1 visa holders work in the U.S.?
Full-time students on an F visa may engage in on-campus work-study employment, not exceeding 20 hours per week. After one year of enrollment, student visa holders may apply to USCIS for off-campus employment authorization. For more details, please contact your designated school official (DSO).
What is the SEVIS system? How does it affect me?
Under the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) requirements, schools and exchange programs must verify the enrollment status of all new and continuing international students and exchange visitors. Payment of the SEVIS fee is a prerequisite for student visa issuance. In other words, applicants must present the SEVIS I-901 fee receipt when applying for a visa. For more details, please visit the SEVIS website.
What documents should I bring to the student visa interview?
Your I-20 or DS-2019 form; documents demonstrating your ties to China; proof of your ability to cover tuition and living expenses, etc.
If my student visa is still valid but I change schools or programs, do I need to reapply for a new visa?
Generally, even if you change schools or majors, you do not need to reapply as long as your student visa remains valid. However, you must ensure that your school and personal information is correct in SEVIS and that your student status remains active. This rule also applies to changes in educational level (e.g., transferring from a high school to a university).
Any change to your student status must be accurately reflected in SEVIS. Please contact the appropriate official at your school regarding any status changes.
Do children under 14 need to schedule a visa interview?
Children under 14 who are Chinese citizens or residents, residing in China, and have no history of visa refusal may submit their application through the interview waiver service. Alternatively, when an adult schedules their own visa interview, they may schedule interviews for up to five children under 14 and bring their application materials with them to the embassy/consulate.
If you choose to carry their applications, you must schedule an interview for all applicants and select a passport pickup location for each application submitted, including those for minors.
Additionally, children under 14 applying for F1, M1, or J1 visas must appear in person for an interview at the embassy/consulate.
Children under 14 can enter the U.S. embassy/consulate for an interview alone or with a guardian. For more interview waiver conditions, please check this link: http://www.ustraveldocs.com/cn_zh/cn-niv-visarenew.asp
How should my parents apply for a visa if they want to visit me while I study abroad?
They need to apply for B1/B2 visas. Visiting a family member in the U.S. is one of the purposes under the B1/B2 visa category. Please ask them to bring documents relating to you to the interview, such as a copy of your student visa or I-20 form, so they can clearly explain the purpose of their trip to the consular officer.
How long must I wait before reapplying after a visa refusal?
In fact, applicants can reapply at any time. If you decide to reapply, you must resubmit the DS-160 form, a new photo, and pay the visa fee, then schedule a new interview. A different consular officer will conduct your interview.
However, we recommend that when reapplying, applicants prepare new documents not previously submitted, or demonstrate that their circumstances have changed since the last application.
How does a consular officer determine whether an applicant has sufficient financial ability to pay for tuition?
Consular officers do not follow a fixed set of standards. Because educational programs and individual situations vary, each case is judged on its own merits. The most important thing is that you must be prepared to answer the consular officer's questions truthfully.
There's a rumor that "consular officers don't look at financial documents, so do I still need to bring them to the interview?"
Of course, you do! Consular officers may ask applicants to submit evidence of their ability to cover educational expenses. So be prepared for the interview and bring all relevant documents!
Will two prior tourist visa refusals affect my F1 application?
The requirements differ by visa category. When you have a new interview, the officer will consider your overall situation to determine whether you qualify for a student visa. We will refer to previous application records, but many applicants with prior refusals have ultimately been granted visas in subsequent applications.
What questions might a visa officer ask during an interview for graduate study in the U.S.?
Visa officers ask a variety of questions to assess whether you are a qualified student and whether you are likely to return home after completing your studies.
If someone else is sponsoring my education, do I still need proof of funds?
When applying for a student visa, you must provide the consular officer with evidence of funding sources that can cover all of your first-year expenses. As long as you can demonstrate the source of the funds to the officer, it does not matter who covers the cost.
Can I apply for a U.S. driver's license on an F1 visa?
Yes, but it is best to contact the DMV of the state where you reside for specific information.
I already hold a B1/B2 visa and am now planning to apply for an F1. Do I need to cancel my B1/B2 first? Will the B1/B2 remain valid after the F1 is issued?
An applicant can hold different types of visas at the same time. You do not need to cancel your B visa to apply for an F visa.
Are there still consular district restrictions now?
You can apply where it is most convenient and go to whichever consulate or embassy is easiest for you.
I have already scheduled an interview online, but I want to change my document delivery address. How and when can I do that?
Please log into your account at www.ustraveldocs.com and select "Change Document Delivery Information" on the bottom right of your account homepage. When you click "Change Document Delivery Information," the page will redirect to the Passport/Document Delivery Address. After selecting a new delivery address, click Continue. On your account homepage, you will see the updated address displayed under "Document Delivery Information."
You can make this change at any time up until 11:59 p.m. on the day of your visa interview at the Embassy or Consulate General.
Finally, some important reminders:
1. Do not wait until August to apply for your student visa.
Last-minute applications may cause you to miss the start of your program. Student visa applicants can apply up to 120 days before the program start date, so please begin the process as early as possible.
2. Note that the SEVIS fee receipt is different from the visa application fee receipt.
Your visa application cannot be completed until both fees have been paid. If you forget to pay the SEVIS fee, your visa application will be delayed. Please visit www.fmjfee.com for more information about SEVIS and pay the fee promptly.
3. Don't forget to sign your I-20 or DS-2019 form!
If you are applying for a student visa (F1), exchange visitor visa (J1), or a visa for non-academic or vocational study/training (M1), remember to sign your I-20 or DS-2019 before entering the consulate. Likewise, your spouse or children applying for F2/J2/M2 visas also need to sign their I-20 or DS-2019 forms. You do not need to sign in front of consular staff or the visa officer. Waiting until you are inside the consulate to sign may increase your waiting time for the interview.
4. About visa renewals.
When renewing your visa, it is very important to update your profile in the visa information system (www.ustraveldocs.com) promptly. CITIC Bank and China Post have reported that many passports cannot be delivered because the applicant's contact information is no longer valid, resulting in the passport or documents being returned to the consulate. The consulate strongly recommends that applicants update their personal data before submitting an application, including the DS-160 barcode number, phone number, email address, and Chinese mailing address.
5. Many applicants wonder what documents to bring to the interview.
Because each applicant's situation is different, the visa section does not provide a specific list of required supporting documents. Although supporting documents are important, the visa officer's final decision is based on the overall picture you present during the interview. Please be honest and remember: the visa interview is the most important step in the whole process.
6. You may have heard that "student and exchange visitor visa applicants do not need to submit I-20/DS-2019 forms during the interview." That is incorrect.
Be sure to bring the original I-20/DS-2019 form to your interview. Attending the interview without it will delay your visa application.
7. Do not be surprised if the visa officer does not review your supporting documents during the interview.
While the visa section requires applicants to prepare a full set of documents, and to bring any supporting documents that may be useful, do not be surprised if the officer does not seem to review them. The most important thing in the interview is to answer all questions clearly, directly, and honestly.
8. After receiving your visa, check the information immediately to ensure your name, date of birth, gender, visa category, and passport number are correct.
If there are any errors, contact the consulate right away. Mistakes can delay or prevent your entry into the United States.
