Visa Overview

Please note it is likely visa appointments will be limited during the Olympics, so we encourage you to schedule your interview as soon as possible.

Mission Possible: Get Your US Student Visa

The first step to preparing to go to the US is to get your visa. Generally speaking, the process for UK citizens to apply for a visa to study in the US is straightforward if you complete the necessary forms and steps in a timely and accurate manner. You may be interested to know the US Department of State and US Embassy London welcome visa applications from international students. In fact, the US Department of State issued 715,093 student, exchange and vocational visas in the fiscal year 2010. This translates to a worldwide acceptance rate of over 87%.

Read on for more information about:

the types of visas to study in the USA
a general timeline for applying for a student visa
the steps of the visa application process, including: getting a certificate of eligiblity (I-20 or DS-2019), registering with SEVIS, completing the DS-160 visa application, scheduling your visa interview and steps you can take as you await your admissions decision

We have also provided information on:

the forms and fees involved in the process
information for dependents
and what to do if you have further enquirie

Note: This page is meant to be a general guide to the visa application process. Local US Embassies are the official source of information on visas, and any information provided to you by the US Embassy supersedes information on this webpage.

Please see the US Embassy in London's webpage on applying for an F Visa or J Visa, and talk with your US university or sponsor for the most up-to-date information. If you are not a UK citizen, we encourage you to also read the US Embassy London's webpage on visas for non-residents.