What do I need to do before I apply?
After a college or university accepts you, and before you apply for a visa, your new school needs to send you the form (I-20 or DS-2019) required for the either the student or exchange visitor visa you need and a document enrolling you in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). SEVIS is a Web-based information system that keeps track of foreign students.
You must pay a SEVIS enrollment fee; the fee for most students is $200 (as of May 2010).
For more information on SEVIS, please see http://www.ice.gov/sevis/.
How long before my classes start should I apply?
You should apply early, up to 120 days before classes start. Visa processing times vary from country to country, but student visa and exchange visitor visa applicants are given priority. Some visa applications require additional processing, which could take up to 60 days.
What kind of visa should I apply for?
You should apply for an F-1 visa if you want to study at an accredited U.S. college or university or to study English at a university or language institute. You should apply for a J-1 visa if you are participating in an educational or cultural exchange program. You should apply for an M-1 visa if you are enrolled in a nonacademic or vocational program.
What will it cost to obtain a visa?
You must pay the SEVIS fee: $200 for F-1 and M-1 visas and $180 for J-1 visas. You must also pay a nonrefundable visa-processing fee of $140 (as of June 2010). Also, depending on a reciprocal arrangement between your country and the United States, you might have to pay a visa issuing fee.
What are the main steps in applying for a visa?
First, you need to make an appointment for a visa interview by consulting the Web site of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
For Thailand, please visit:
http://chiangmai.usconsulate.gov/
For the interview you must assemble some documents. These include:
(1) a passport valid beyond your dates of travel
(2) the printed confirmation page of a properly completed visa application (DS-160, completed online)
(3) the visa-qualifying document supplied by your academic institution (I-20 or DS-2019)
(4) the payment receipt for the SEVIS fee and
(5) a 5X5 cm. photo, if not provided with the DS-160 application. (Note: You must fill out the application forms and pay the application fee before seeking an interview.)
At the interview you must demonstrate that you are a serious student who is well informed about the school, has a well-developed plan of study, and knows about the subject you plan to study. You also need to demonstrate that you plan to return home. This means showing that you have a non-U.S. residence and no immediate intention of abandoning it, intend to depart from the United States upon completing your studies, and have enough money for your first year of study.
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