June 29, 2005:
Student Visa Chat

Q. User asked: Are there different types of student visas?
A. Consul Answered: Yes, there are different types of student visas. The F Visa is for Academic or Language programs while the M Visa is for nonacademic or vocational study. The Exchange Visitor Program (J-visa) is to further the foreign policy interest of the United States by increasing the mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by means of mutual educational and cultural exchanges.

Q. Does the Embassy require a student visa applicant to show the parents income?
A. Yes, if your parents are paying for your studies in the U.S., you need to show that they possess the amount of money required. You need to show at least the first year’s tuition and fees in full, as well as evidence that money will be available for subsequent years of study. If you are getting a scholarship or someone else is paying for your education, it is still advisable to have information about your parents’ assets during the interview.

Q. Are there any pre-requisite forms needed before you can apply for a student visa?
A. Yes. You should have the I-20 form issued by the college or university which you will be attending. This will list your unique student SEVIS number, the course of study, sources and amounts of funding, and the signature of the appropriate university official. This proves you have been accepted into a legitimate institution. Also, you are required to show evidence that you have paid the SEVIS fee, either in the form of an internet printout or a receipt mailed to you directly from the Department of Homeland Security.

Q. Is there an age limit in applying for a student visa? Is there an income requirement before applying?
A. In short, no. You may legitimately wish to pursue academic or other study at any age. However, the more important question will be WHY you are pursuing this course of study. There is no minimum income requirement for the applicant. What is important is that the prospective student is able to show the ability to pay for the course of study intended, whether through family support, scholarships, or other external sponsors.

Q. How long does it take to process a student visa?
A. You should plan on applying far in advance of your intended date of travel or start of classes. However, students are given priority for interview dates. Once you have completed your application form and paid the visa fee, you would call the Non-Immigrant Call Center to receive an appointment date for your student visa interview. Normally, the date will be within a couple weeks. If you have been approved for a student visa, it will normally take 3 to 7 business days for your passport (with visa inside) to be delivered to your door.

Q. If there is a pending immigrant visa now with the Embassy Immigrant Visa Section, can someone apply for a student visa while waiting for the approval of the other?
A. Yes, you can apply for a student visa even if you have pending immigrant visa petition. However, bear in mind that one of the important qualifications for a student visa is that the applicant must have a residence abroad to which he or she intends to return. Naturally, having a petition pending is an indication of the opposite. If your desire to study in the U.S. appears legitimate and you have good reasons for doing so, then the pending petition by itself will not necessarily prevent issuance of a visa.

Q. If the applicant for a student visa is married, can he possibly bring his dependents with him?
A. It is possible to bring family members to the United States when studying but important to note that you will have to show the ability to financially support all of the family members that you bring. When coming to the US as a dependent of the student visaholder, family members are not allowed to work.

Q. How much does it cost, (an approximation) to process a student visa?
A. The visa application fee for every applicant is $100. In addition to that, all student applicants will pay the SEVIS fee (either online or through Western Union) of $100. That does not include whatever fees you will be paying the universities to which you are applying.

Q. Meaning that we also have to apply for a student visa aside from the regular visa that is being issued?
A. When you apply for a student visa, you are applying for only ONE visa. The SEVIS fee is an additional fee that only applicants for student visas pay; it is not for a second or different visa. If you already have a tourist visa, you must still apply for a student visa. You can’t study in the U.S. without a student visa. Other visa applicants (tourist/business) only pay the regular $100 visa fee, and not the SEVIS fee.

Q. I want to study nursing, but I heard it’s very difficult to get visa for this. Is it true?
A. You are certainly allowed to study nursing in the U.S. However, bear in mind that you should be able to show WHY you want to study this subject in the U.S. and spend a very large amount of money when there are many good nursing schools here in the Philippines. Again, you should also be able to demonstrate your intent to return to the Philippines and work here, because a student visa IS a NON-IMMIGRANT visa.

Q. Sir, is there any web papers that we can go to in order to get more information on the requirements, forms etc. that the Embassy requires?
A. Take a look at this page on the U.S. Embassy website; it contains links with all the necessary information on applying for a student visa, www. usembassy.state.gov/posts/rp1/wwwh3024.html. You can also look at www. educationusa.state.gov/

Q. When will the Embassy be visiting Davao City again so that we could discuss the student visa with someone from the Embassy?
A. That sounds like a great idea. The Embassy on the road program will be in Davao in October. We will look into making a special presentation. Please feel free to send your suggestions for chat topics or presentations thru email to our website.