How to Prepare Your F1 Visa Application Before the Interview

Preparing documents for an F1 visa application to study in the US might be a complicated process. This easy-to-follow guide outlines what you need to do in order to get it done.

Steps

1. Fill out visa application forms online to save time. Male students need to fill out 3 forms, DS-156, DS-157 and DS-158. Female students do not have to fill out DS-157. The forms could be accessed at Visa application forms
2. Have your photograph taken, glue it on the DS-156 form. This photograph must be 2 by 2 or 5cm to 5cm, taken on white or off-white background within the last 6 months.
3. Pay your SEVIS fee (US$ 100) online at Form I-901 application. Here you need to fill out the I-901 form (important information includes the school code, your SEVIS number both printed on the I-20 form) and pay the fee using a credit card. Print the receipt for your record. There are alternative methods to pay this fee such as mailing a money order to the Department of Homeland Security or using Western Union Quick Pay Service.
4. Arrange an interview appointment and pay US$100 visa application fee.
5. Bring the following documents to the interview:
   • Your valid passport (valid for atleast 6 months from the date of interview)
   • Form I-20
   • SEVIS fee paid receipt
   • Visa application fee receipt
   • Interview appointment letter
   • Application forms (DS-156,DS-157,DS-158)
   • Financial supporting documents
   • Qualifications - Degree/Diploma certificates
   • Transcripts
   • Proof of English proficiency (TOEFL)
   • Standardized test scores if applicable (SAT, ATC, GRE, GMAT).
   • Photograph with specifications as above.

Tips

• Make sure your documents are complete.
• Present them in an organised way to make things easier for the consular officer (consider having a cover page listing the documents you have or organising them in separate files).

Warnings

• This is only a rough guide. Each individual country might have extra requirements as to what documents to bring. Consult the US embassy/consulate in your country to have a checklist of them.