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Visas

Visas for school study will vary depending upon whether the student is travelling to the US with a family member, will be living with a legal guardian or is travelling to the US unaccompanied by family.

Families Moving to the US

The visa status of international students accompanying their parents who are working, studying or performing diplomatic service to the US as a dependent is based on that of their parents. For more information on visa categories, please visit the US Embassy website.

Students Living with a Legal Guardian in the US

Students planning to live with a legal guardian residing in the US (who is a US citizen or permanent resident) should apply to the nearest US consular office for a family-based immigration visa.

Students Travelling without Their Families to the US

Students planning to travel to the US without their parents (to attend a private boarding school or participate in a high school exchange programme) should apply to the nearest US consular office for an F-1 Student Visa. Please note this visa may be issued for a period of study lasting up to 12 months for public school or high school exchange.

Please note an I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status form is necessary to begin applying for the student visa. Therefore, when selecting schools or exchange programmes, it is important to ensure the school/programme is authorised by the US government to issue this form.

If the school is not authorised, a school representative may contact the nearest US Citizenship and Immigration Services office for details on how to gain authorisation. The school will have to submit an I-17 Petition for Approval form at the local office. This process takes time, so plan accordingly.

General steps to apply for an F-1 Visa

Note: Please always refer to the US Embassy's webpage on applying for a visa and/or your US school for the most up-to-date information.

  1. Once you accept an offer of admission, your school or sponsor will require proof of funds (bank statements, scholarship offer letters, loan documentation, etc.) before sending you the relevant certificate of eligibility form, the I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status form. Please note you may use any combination of personal/family savings, scholarships and loans to fund your studies.
  2. Complete the SEVIS application and pay the SEVIS fee (see below for more information).
  3. All applicants for the F-1 visa are required to complete a DS-156 Visa Application form and a DS-158 Contact Information and Work History form. Additionally, males aged between 16-45 must also complete a DS-157 Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application form.
  4. Book an appointment for a visa interview at the US Embassy in London, or in your home country if you are not a UK citizen. Before your appointment you will need to gather and bring required documentation for your interview.

SEVIS (Student & Exchange Visitor Information System)

SEVIS is the automated system that keeps track of students and exchange visitors and ensures that they maintain their immigration status while in the US. All students must file a SEVIS I-901 form before they may have a visa interview. There is also a $200 SEVIS fee, and you will have to bring confirmation of this payment to your visa interview. The form may be filed online via the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement website or by post. The fee may be paid online, by post or via Western Union Quick Pay.

Enquiries

Please note that the US school or sponsoring agency (for exchanges) should be able to provide you with assistance on the paperwork and details of the process upon your admittance to the program. Therefore, you may wish to direct your enquiries to the appropriate member of staff.

 

Our staff are not trained to handle specific enquiries related to visas in the US. For such enquiries, information is available on the US Embassy in London website. Alternatively, you may call the US Embassy at 09042 450100 (Operator Assisted £1.20/minute) between the hours of 8 am - 8 pm Monday - Friday, and 10 am - 4 pm on Saturday.