The following is a list of documents that you must submit during your student visa interview for the USA:
- Valid passport: Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the US.
- DS-160 confirmation page: This is the confirmation page for the Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160, which you must complete online before your interview.
- Visa appointment letter: This is the letter that you receive from the US embassy or consulate confirming your visa interview appointment.
- Recent photograph: You must bring a recent passport-style photograph of yourself to the interview.
- Fee receipts: You must bring the receipt for the payment of your visa application fee and the SEVIS fee.
- I-20 form: This form is issued to you by your US school and certifies that you have been accepted and enrolled in a full-time program of study.
- Evidence of financial support: You must provide evidence that you have sufficient financial resources to cover your tuition and living expenses while studying in the US. This evidence may include bank statements, scholarship awards, or letters of financial support from family or friends.
F1 Visa Documents Checklist
When applying for a student visa to the USA, you will typically need to attend an interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country. While the specific requirements can vary depending on your country of origin and the type of visa you are applying for, here is a general list of documents you may need to submit or bring to your visa interview:
- DS-160 Visa Application Confirmation: You must complete the DS-160 form online and print the confirmation page, which will have a barcode that you will need for your interview.
- Visa Appointment Confirmation: The appointment confirmation letter that you receive when scheduling your visa interview.
- Passport: Your valid passport with at least six months validity beyond your intended date of arrival in the USA.
- Visa Application Fee Receipt: Proof of payment for the non-refundable visa application fee (MRV receipt).
- SEVIS I-901 Fee Receipt: Proof of payment for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee. You can pay this fee online and receive a receipt.
- Form I-20: This is the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, which is provided by your U.S. school. It should be signed by both you and a school official.
- Admission Letter: A formal acceptance letter from the U.S. educational institution where you will be studying.
- Financial Documents: Proof of your ability to cover the costs of your education and living expenses in the USA. This may include bank statements, affidavits of support, scholarship letters, or financial guarantee letters.
- Transcripts and Diplomas: Academic transcripts, diplomas, certificates, and any other educational documents that demonstrate your qualifications for admission.
- Standardized Test Scores: If required by your U.S. school, provide standardized test scores such as TOEFL, IELTS, GRE, or GMAT.
- Passport-sized Photographs: Typically, you will need two passport-sized photographs that meet the U.S. visa photo requirements.
- Proof of Ties to Home Country: Documents that demonstrate your intent to return to your home country after completing your studies, such as a letter of intent from an employer or evidence of family ties.
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV): Your resume or CV outlining your educational and employment history.
- Any Additional Documents: Depending on your specific circumstances and visa category, you may be asked for additional documents such as marriage certificates, divorce decrees, or adoption papers.
- Visa Interview Appointment Letter: The letter confirming the date and time of your visa interview.
- Passport – It should be valid for at least 6 months beyond the intended stay duration in the US.
- MRV Fee receipt – Payment confirmation page printout (if paid online)
- Form DS 160 (Non-immigrant Visa Application) – Online application confirmation page printout
- SEVIS fee payment receipt – Payment confirmation page printout
- Photo – Physical copies are only required if the upload is unsuccessful while filling the online DS 160 form. It must match the required format mentioned in the DS 160 Form
- I-20 Form – Received from your university or institution
- Visa Interview appointment letter
You might also have to present the following additional documents. It is recommended to carry them along.
- Academic transcript including marksheets
- Diploma/Degree certificates
- GMAT/GRE/SAT scores
- IELTS/TOEFL/PTE scores
- Loan approval letter
- Financial capacity proof
- Appointment/Relieving letter/salary slip of any professional experience or internships
- Intent to depart from the US upon program completion
M1 Visa Documents Checklist
You will need the following documents:
- Proof of payment of your visa application fees
- DS-160 confirmation page
- Passport valid for travel for at least six months
- Transcripts, diplomas, degrees, or certificates from schools you previously attended
- Standardized test scores required by your U.S. school
- Documents proving your intent to leave the United States upon completion of the course of study
- Proof of funding for all educational, living and travel expenses
The following is a checklist of documents that you must submit during your M1 visa interview for the USA:
- Valid passport: Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the US.
- DS-160 confirmation page: This is the confirmation page for the Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160, which you must complete online before your interview.
- Visa appointment letter: This is the letter that you receive from the US embassy or consulate confirming your visa interview appointment.
- Recent photograph: You must bring a recent passport-style photograph of yourself to the interview.
- Fee receipts: You must bring the receipt for the payment of your visa application fee and the SEVIS fee.
- I-20 form: This form is issued to you by your US school and certifies that you have been accepted and enrolled in a full-time program of vocational or non-academic study.
- Evidence of financial support: You must provide evidence that you have sufficient financial resources to cover your tuition and living expenses while studying in the US. This evidence may include bank statements, scholarship awards, or letters of financial support from family or friends.
In addition to the above documents, the consular officer may also request additional documents, such as:
- Academic transcripts and diplomas: You may be asked to provide transcripts and diplomas from all schools you have attended.
- Standardized test scores: You may be asked to provide standardized test scores, such as the TOEFL or GRE, if required by your US school.
- Proof of ties to your home country: You may be asked to provide evidence of ties to your home country, such as a job offer, property ownership, or family ties.
The M-1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa category for students who wish to pursue vocational or non-academic studies in the United States. When applying for an M-1 visa, you will need to provide a set of documents to support your application. Here is a checklist of documents commonly required for an M-1 visa application:
- Form DS-160: Complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form DS-160 and print the confirmation page with the barcode.
- Visa Fee Payment Receipt: Proof of payment for the non-refundable visa application fee. Keep the receipt as it will be required for your interview.
- SEVIS Form I-20: This is the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status. You will receive this form from the U.S. school where you have been accepted. Make sure the form is properly completed and signed by both you and a school official.
- Visa Interview Appointment Confirmation: A copy of the appointment confirmation letter indicating the date and time of your visa interview.
- Passport: Your valid passport with a minimum of six months of validity beyond your intended date of arrival in the United States.
- Photographs: Typically, you will need two passport-sized photographs that meet the U.S. visa photo requirements.
- SEVIS Fee Receipt (Form I-901): Proof of payment for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee. You can pay this fee online and receive a receipt.
- Financial Documentation: Evidence of your ability to cover the costs of your vocational or non-academic program and living expenses in the United States. This may include bank statements, affidavits of support, scholarship letters, or financial guarantee letters.
- Transcripts and Diplomas: Academic transcripts, diplomas, certificates, and any other educational documents that demonstrate your qualifications for admission to the vocational program.
- Standardized Test Scores: If required by your U.S. school, provide standardized test scores such as TOEFL, IELTS, or any other relevant tests.
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV): Your resume or CV outlining your educational and employment history.
- Proof of Ties to Home Country: Documents demonstrating your intent to return to your home country after completing your vocational or non-academic studies. This could include letters from employers, evidence of family ties, or other relevant documents.
- Any Additional Documents: Depending on your specific circumstances and visa category, you may be asked for additional documents. Always check with the U.S. embassy or consulate for any specific requirements.
- English Language Proficiency: If your program requires English proficiency, you may need to demonstrate your language skills through an interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate.