Visa Application Process

Apply for a passport. Remember you will need to provide proof of residency in your country of citizenship. Once you have applied for a passport, make an appointment for a visa interview at the U.S. consulate nearest you. The following items are generally required for this interview, but double check with your local consulate well before your interview.

• Nonimmigrant Visa Application (Form DS -156)
• Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application (Form DS-157)
• Contact Information and Work History for Nonimmigrant Visa Applicant (Form DS-158)
• A valid passport endorsed for travel abroad and valid for return to China or re-entry into another country.
• The I-20 provided by the school you have selected.
• Proof of residency in your country of citizenship.
• A clean bill of health. No inoculations are required unless you were recently in a country with epidemics such as cholera and yellow fever. HIV-positive individuals are not permitted to enter the U.S.
• Absence of a criminal record. Criminal activity is grounds for deportation.
• Proof that you intend to leave the U.S. within a reasonable time frame upon completion of your studies. The consulate advises applicants to present documentation and other evidence establishing social, economic, and other ties that would "compel the applicant’s return from the United States after a temporary and lawful stay".
• You must show that you can support yourself financially during your stay. Use your Global Loan Certificate and auxiliary financial statements to demonstrate fund availability for at least your first full year of school.
• Deposit Receipt from the school you'll be attending.
• You will also have to provide proof of proficiency in English (unless you will be enrolling in a language program). Your TOEFL score often fulfills this requirement.
• A 1.5 inch square photograph (37 mm x 37 mm) showing full face against a light background.
• The visa processing fee.

There are three types of student visas:

• F-1 (Student Visa). The F-1 visa is for students enrolled full-time in an academic program. An F-1 visa permits students to stay in the U.S. for the full length of their academic program plus 60 days after the completion of their program. Students with an F-1 visa must maintain a full-time course load and complete their studies by the expiration date shown on the I-20 form.
• J-1 (Exchange Visitor Visa). The J-1 visa is issued to students who require practical training to complete their academic program that is not available in their home country. The training must be directly related to their academic program. The J-1 visa obligates a student to return to their home country for a minimum of two years upon completion of their studies in the U.S. before being eligible to apply for an immigrant (permanent resident) visa.
• M-1 (Vocational Student Visa). The M-1 visa is for students attending non-academic trade and vocational schools. The M-1 visa is valid for up to one year. Recipients of an M-1 visa may not change fields of study. Switching from an M-1 visa to an F-1 visa is not permitted.