Applying for a Student Visa

COVID-19 Alert

Visa processing may be delayed due to COVID-19. For the latest status of visa processing at your nearest US Consulate, check the Consulate's News & Events.

Consulate's News & Events

Application Process Overview

Receive Your I-20/DS-2019 and Pay Your SEVIS Fee

Complete the DS-160 Visa Application

Schedule Your Visa Interview

Prepare Your Documents

Attend Your Interview

Receive and Review Your Entry Visa

How To Apply

Receive Your I-20/DS-2019 and Pay Your SEVIS Fee

Follow our instructions on how to apply for an I-20/DS-2019.
After receiving your I-20/DS-2019, pay the SEVIS fee.

Complete the DS-160 Visa Application

You are required to submit the DS-160.
Review frequently asked questions about the DS-160.
Answer truthfully to the best of your knowledge. The ISSO cannot provide advice on completing the DS-160.
Contact your local embassy or consulate with any questions.

Helpful Tips

U.S. Address or Point of Contact

Not sure who to list? Use your school or department address. The phone number is 212-854-1754.

Dependents

Dependents must submit their own DS-160.

Course of Study

Use your program name as it appears on your admission letter or your I-20/DS-2019.

Intended Length of Stay

Use your best estimate on the time you need to complete your program. The response to this question does not determine the length of your visa.

Present Work/ Education/ Training Information

Select the best option that is true at the time of submitting the application.

Person/ Entity Paying for Your Trip

List your primary source of funding as it appears on your I-20/DS-2019.

Schedule Your Visa Interview

Follow the instructions for your embassy or consulate.
The earliest you can interview for your visa is 120 days before your start date.
It is generally recommended that you apply for a visa in your home country rather than a third country if possible.
Each embassy has its own visa processing times.

Prepare Your Documents

1.: Passport (valid for at least six months beyond the date of travel to the U.S.)
2.: DS-160 confirmation page
3.: Valid I-20/DS-2019 (original, not a copy)
4.: Copy of Columbia admission letter/email
5.: SEVIS Fee Receipt
6.: Financial documents
7.: Any other documents listed on embassy/consulate website

1.: Passport (valid for at least six months beyond the date of travel to the U.S.)
2.: DS-160 confirmation page
3.: Dependent I-20/DS-2019 (original, not a copy)
4.: Copy of student’s I-20/DS-2019
5.: Copy of student’s Columbia admission letter/email
6.: Financial documents
7.: Proof of relationship to student (marriage or birth certificate)
8.: Copy of student’s visa page and copy of student’s I-94 Arrival Record (only if the student is already in the U.S. and dependent(s) will follow later)

Attend Your Interview

Review 10 points to remember when applying for a non-immigrant visa from NAFSA: Association of International Educators, the leading organization committed to international education and exchange.

Receive and Review Your Entry Visa

Check the visa in your passport to make sure that all the information on it is correct.
Your I-20/DS-2019 should be returned to you. You will need it to enter the U.S.

Renewing Your Visa

Do I Need to Renew My Visa?

If your visa expires while you are maintaining status and in the U.S., nothing happens. Please learn more about visa expiration here. However, if you are travelling internationally, you will need an unexpired visa to request entry into the U.S. (with the potential exception when traveling from Canada, Mexico, or certain Adjacent Caribbean Islands).

The visa renewal process is similar to the initial F-1 or J-1 student visa application outlined above. You must obtain the visa from a US consulate or embassy abroad, ideally in your home country where you were last successful, and you will need to establish your nonimmigrant intent and ties to your home country.

Visa Renewal Documents Required

Generally these are the documents you need, but each consulate may require additional application materials so check with the consulate at which you will apply.

your passport (valid at least 6 months into the future)
most recent I-20 with valid travel signature, and updated proof of funding.
a copy of your transcripts and a certificate of enrollment from the Office of the University Registrar, if applying for a visa during your academic program.
your EAD card and proof of employment, if you are on OPT or STEM OPT Extension

Visa Delays and Denials

Visa Delays

After your visa interview, you will be notified if administrative processing is necessary.

If your visa is delayed, notify our office using this report form. We will track your application, but are unable to resolve individual cases. Most students receive their visa before the start of their program.

Visa Denials

If your visa is denied, notify our office using this report form.

You may reapply and bring additional supporting documents, such as proof of ties to your home country. A support letter from your academic department may be helpful.