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Obtaining your student visa may be even more challenging
than gaining admission to Methodist University. It
is important that you first understand what it takes to
get your visa and then properly prepare yourself for your
interview with the U.S. Consulate visa officer in your country.
It is imperative that you are prepared to present necessary
documents such as:
- form DS-156 (nonimigrant visa application)
- acceptance letter from Methodist University
- I-20 issued by the chosen college
- proof of payment of SEVIS fee
- passport-size photographs
- financial statements
- secondary transcripts
- updated passport
It may also help to provide your updated medical record
showing that all of your vaccinations are current. There
are three points that you should know and understand before
you see a visa officer:
- The purpose of the visa interview is to determine if
you should qualify to receive an F-1 non-resident student
visa. What is an F-1 visa? An-F-1 is a visa for a nonimigrant
student who is pursuing a "full course of study"
to achieve a specific educational or professional objective
and is expected by the United States government to return
to his or her residence abroad.
- During your interview the visa officer is looking to
determine the answer to three important questions. If
he feels that the answer to any of the three questions
is "NO" then he or she will not grant you the
visa. The following are the three questions that must
be satisfactorily answered during your interview:
- Has the visa applicant met all the admission requirements
of the college that he or she wants to attend? These
may include: English proficiency; appropriate major
or course of study; and an evaluation of the usefulness
of the major to better develop your home country for
when you return.
- Does the visa applicant and/or his family or sponsors
have sufficient money to support the applicant for
at least the first year's expenses at the college
that he or she wants to attend? The I-20 will show
the cost of the college and expected expenses of the
student.
- Is the visa applicant likely to, or does he/she
have intentions to, return back to his/ her home country
after his/her program has been completed? You must
show that you have strong ties to your home country
and no intention of seeking immigrant status.
- Make sure you have paid the SEVIS
non-refundable fee prior to your interview with the U.S.
Consulate visa officer. If you failed your first interview,
the SEVIS fee is still valid for
you to return for another interview so make sure you keep
your receipt of payment of the SEVIS
fee.
It is impossible to know exactly what questions will be
asked of you, but hopefully now you may have some ideas
of what to expect during your visa interview. Good luck!
For more information on F-1 visa holders please visit the
following websites from the Department of Homeland Security
and United States Customs and Immigrations Services:
• USCIS
Rules & Regulations on: Entry & Re-Entry into
the U.S., employment and other information.
• Forms & Fees: U.S.
Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS)
• Immigration
Information
• What
to expect at the Port Of Entry (POE)
• FAQ
travel Reentry for F-1 Non-immigrants
• Maintaining
Status while you are an F-1 visa student
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