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THE VISA PROCESS
Complete the following steps:
1. Apply to the University Undergraduate or Graduate School.
2. Once you are admitted, you will need to provide us with
the following documents:
-
Application for Immigration Document (graduate students only)
-
Financial Certification Form: You need to certify for the first year of your studies plus
an additional $3,000 for dependent spouse and $2,000 per
child, if applicable.
-
Transfer Request Form: If you are transferring to the University of South Carolina from
another university in the United States.
When we receive these forms, we will send you an I-20 (for
an F-1 visa) or DS-2019 (for a J-1 visa). You will need the
I-20 or DS-2019 to apply for a visa, which is required for
entry to the U.S. (Applicants who are citizens of Canada,
Bermuda, Bahamas and residents of certain other islands
do not need a visa to enter the U.S., but must show their
I-20 or DS-2019 when entering the United States. Be sure to
pay and process the SEVIS fee before appearing at the U.S.
Port of Entry; you will not be able to pay this fee at the
Port of Entry. SKIP TO #7 below).
3. Make an appointment with your local embassy or consulate
to apply for your visa. An estimated wait time for your
visa appointment is available at:
http://travel.state.gov/visa/tempvisitors_wait.php
4.
Complete the following forms:
(a) DS-156 Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form
(b) DS-158 Contact Information and Work History for
Nonimmigrant Visa Applicant
(c) If a male between the ages of 16 and 45, DS-157
Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application.
5. Pay the visa application fee by following
instructions on your local U.S. embassy or consulate’s web
site.
6.
If your I-20 or DS-2019 has been issued for initial attendance or
to start a new J-1 program of study, you will also need to
pay the $100 SEVIS fee. If you are applying for J-1 status
and you are sponsored by the U.S. government, you are not
required to pay the SEVIS fee. (Please
note: on October 27, 2008, the SEVIS fee will increase to
$200 for F1-visa holders and to $180 for J1-visa holders.)
If you are transferring schools, extending your program,
applying for an F-2 dependent visa, or have paid this fee
and been denied a visa within the last twelve months, you do
not need to pay the SEVIS fee. You must bring the receipt of
SEVIS fee payment with you to the visa interview.
Click here for SEVIS Fee Payment
Options.
You must bring the receipt of SEVIS fee payment with you to
the visa interview.
7.
Prepare and bring to your visa interview the following:
(a) A passport valid for at least six months
(b) Form I-20 (sign the form under Item 11) or DS-2019
(c) School admission letter
(d) Completed visa applications (DS-156, DS-158, and, if
applicable, DS-157)
(e) Two 2”x 2” photographs in the prescribed format (see
the
Travel.state.gov
website)
(f) A receipt for the visa application fee.
(g) A receipt for the SEVIS fee. If you have not received
an official receipt in the mail showing payment and you paid
the fee electronically, the consulate will accept the
temporary receipt you printed from your computer. If you do
not have a receipt, the consulate may be able to see your
payment electronically if your fee payment was processed at
least 3 business days before your interview.
(h) Financial evidence that shows you have sufficient
funds to cover your tuition and living expenses during the
period you intend to study.
(i) Any information that proves that you will return to
your home country after finishing your studies in the U.S.
This may include proof of property, family, or other ties to
your community.
8.
Remain calm and answer openly and honestly all the Visa Officer’s
questions.
Students wanting to enter the U.S. on another visa status
should confirm that they can legally study on that visa type
before entering the United States. Please be advised that
if you enter on a B visa, you will NOT be able to
pursue a course of study or apply inside the U.S. to change
to an F-1 visa status.
If you are in the US on another visa status and are
interested in applying for an F-1 visa, please contact
International Programs for Students for more information on
changing status.
Please email any questions to
intlprog@sc.edu . |
