Applying for a Visa

Follow these instructions to apply for the F-1 and J-1 student visa categories. Additional resources are listed below to assist the application process. If you have questions, email ISS at uwglobal@uwyo.edu.

To apply for a J-1 or F-1 Student Visa

1. Pay I-901 SEVIS Fee: F-1 and J-1 visa applicants are required to pay a SEVIS fee which is used to support the SEVIS program. The fee must be paid prior to applying for your visa. A receipt of payment must be shown at the time of the visa application. The fee may be paid online at the I-901 Fee Page.

2. Complete the DS-160 visa application online: You will complete the DS-160 visa application and pay the application fee online at the Consular Electronic Application Center website. You are required to upload your official photo with your DS-160 application. View official Photograph Requirements before uploading your photo. Read more about the visa application at DS-160: Frequently Asked Questions.

3. Schedule Your Interview: You should schedule your interview at the US embassy or consulate in the country where you live. You may schedule your interview at another US embassy or consulate, but be aware that it may be more difficult to qualify for a visa outside of the country where you live. Select your embassy or consulate from the US Department of State US Embassy and Consulate list.

4. Attend Your Interview at the Consulate: The visa application requires a Form I-20 or DS-2019 and other documents. Consult the US embassy or consulate website for specific documents/proof requirements. Generally, you will be required to show your Form I-20 or DS-2019, receipt for I-901 SEVIS fee payment, Form DS-160 (visa application) confirmation page, and application fee payment receipt. You may also be asked to show an invitation letter from your sponsoring faculty or department, ability to pay all costs while in the US (financial support as submitted to UW for I-20 or DS-2019 issuance if not paid by UW), marriage certificate if bringing a spouse with you, and proof of intent to return to your home country after your visit to the US. You may also be asked if you have worked, studies, or resided in the United States previously.

*Canadian Citizens: Canadian citizens do not need a F-1 or J-1 visa foil in their passport, but rather obtain their visa status when they enter the United States by showing proof of citizenship, the UW Form I-20 or DS-2019, proof of financial support, and proof of payment of the I-901 SEVIS fee. Canadian citizens do NOT need to make an appointment at the US embassy or consulate.

Study in the States offers free government resources that explain the rules and regulations governing the international student process in the United States.

FAQ: Applying for a US Visa

The U.S. Department of State allows each individual consulate to determine their hours of operation and closures depending on local cultures, holidays, and situations.  Consulates may close or limit services at-will and may limit the type of visa applications they accept, and who is allowed to apply at that specific consulate.

NOTE: The U.S. consular officers are now required to check all SOCIAL MEDIA accounts, in addition to their criminal background check, of visa applicants prior to their visa appointment. Be cognizant of what you share on social media, what your friends and family tag you in, etc. There are currently no defined specifics for what type of social media participation might prompt a visa denial.

student writing

Do not make your visa appointment until you have received the Form I-20 or DS-2019 from UW ISS! Refer to the email that you received from ISS with your Form I-20 or DS-2019 for information about applying for your visa.

  • Passport
  • Form I-20 or DS-2019 - with future start date for the appropriate semester in which you will begin study. Make sure you print and sign the document.
  • Proof of enrollment for your first semester if you have already registered for your classes (print your schedule or unofficial transcript from WyoWeb).
  • Admission letter/email from the UW Office of Admissions - received via email upon admission.
  • Proof of financial support - bank documents, letters/affidavits of support, scholarship letters.  These are the same documents that you submitted to UW as part of your admission process.

 

Graduate students (master’s and doctorate) should carry their departmental admission letter that includes any graduate assistantship stipend information.  If possible, you should carry your program of study (list of classes you will take in your program), description of your UW research project, and CV of your faculty advisor. These documents have been requested in the past at both visa appointments and upon US entry.

Many students are experiencing long wait times for their student visa appointment.  Below is a list of “tips” that ISS advises might help a student get an earlier appointment. These “tips” are not official guidance from the US Department of State and might not work for all students.  These are things that other students have tried/done to get an earlier visa appointment.

  • Make your visa appointment for the earliest date possible, even if this is far in the future. Most other actions cannot be taken if you do not already have a visa appointment on record with the US consulate.
  • Check the consulate website to see if they allow expedited or emergency appointments and if your situation qualifies. Not all consulates are giving expedited or emergency appointments, and some of them are limited to legitimate life/death emergencies. If you qualify, ask for an expedited or emergency appointment.  If they need a support letter from UW download and submit the Expedited Appointment letter to submit with your request.
  • Continue to check the online appointment system every day! If someone cancels their appointment, you might be able to move your appointment to an earlier date. Many students have had success doing this.
  • Report your visa appointment information and estimated arrival date to your academic department/advisor. It is important for them to know if you will arrive before the start of the semester.  In some cases, graduate (master’s or doctoral) students may be able to begin study online due to visa delays and then transition to on campus classes when they arrive in the US (See the “FAQ: Online Study” below). Undergraduates are usually not able to begin study online and then transition to on campus study upon arrival.
  • Report your visa information to ISS. If you have a late appointment date, have applied and are waiting for the approval, if you receive your visa, or if you are denied a visa, email uwglobal@uwyo.edu to let us know!  If your visa is not approved by the “Program Start Date” printed on the Form I-20, you must receive an updated I-20 from ISS before you can receive your visa.  ISS may have to wait for approval from your academic department to issue a delayed start I-20, so contact us right away about any delays.  (See the “FAQ: Deferring or Declining Admission” below).  Once you receive your visa, make sure to notify ISS of your travel/arrival dates.  Remember that you MUST email uwglobal@uwyo.edu as soon as you arrive in Laramie to officially “check in” with ISS.

 

If you need to defer your admission to a future semester because your visa has not been approved, see “FAQ: Deferring or Declining Admission” below.

Many consulates are seeing large delays for visa appointments. Some consulates might offer expedited or emergency appointments to students who are approaching the start date of their academic program.  Students should check the website of the specific consulate they will apply at to see what their rules for emergency appointments are.  Those who are able to apply for an expedited or emergency appointment should print the Expedited Appointment letter from ISS to present to the U.S. consulate to schedule or attend their emergency appointment if required.  Remember, the program start date on your I-20 or DS-2019 must be accurate for the semester in which you intend to begin study in the U.S.

 

Students may be able to apply for a visa in a third country if the U.S. consulate allows it, but information that we have received is that most countries are not allowing visa applications from third-country nationals at this time.

If you are told by the US consulate that your visa application is in Administrative Processing, please notify ISS. Administrative Processing happens when the consular office cannot make the decision about your visa.  The application is elevated to a supervisor. If the supervisor cannot make the decision, your application will be elevated to the US Department of State to make the decision.  This is NOT a denial or approval, but can take quite a while to receive a decision, depending on your situation.

If your visa is denied, the consular officer should give you a paper with the reason for denial.  Politely ask them for this paper if they do not offer it to you.  The denial reason may help you prepare better documentation for your next appointment if you choose to apply again.  You are allowed to apply again for a visa if denied and will meet with a different consular officer for each appointment, but some consulates have specific rules for when you can schedule a second appointment. Check their website for individual details.  Also, contact ISS, and we will provide any assistance that we can that might help you with a second interview.  *Remember that ISS and UW cannot contact the U.S. consulate for you, and we have no influence over the issuance of individual visas for students.

 

NOTE: Spouses and minor children are dependents of the F-1 visa applicant/holder.  If the F-1 visa applicant is denied their F-1 visa by the US consulate, the dependents would be denied their F-2 visas.  Likewise, if the F-1 visa holder is denied entry to the US, the F-2 visa holders would also be denied entry to the US.  Once inside the US, F-2 visa holders are generally in valid status as long as the F-1 visa holder maintains their valid status.  If the F-1 visa holder’s SEVIS record is terminated, the F-2’s SEVIS record is also terminated.

Education USA Visa Guidance

Watch these helpful videos:

 

Managing the Student Visa Process           Your Student Visa Questions Answered 

Disclaimer: All documents, information, and advice provided by ISS staff is given based on details provided to ISS and can vary depending on specific circumstances and laws in effect at the time it is given. Advice or information given to one person should not be considered accurate for others. ISS staff is not responsible for errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information.