How To Obtain A Visa
Once an international student has been admitted to Fort Hays State, they will receive an admission letter and an I-20 or DS-2019. Below are the next steps newly admitted international students will need to act on:
STEP 1 – Obtain I-20 or DS-2019
Once a student has been admitted to FHSU, they will receive an admission letter along with their I-20 or DS-2019. After the I-20 or DS-2019 is received, review the I-20 or DS-2019 for accuracy.
STEP 2 – Complete Online Visa Application
Students will complete the online visa application, DS-160. Print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview.
STEP 3 - Pay SEVIS fee
Students pay the SEVIS fee online by credit card for their U.S. student visa.
Print the I-901 SEVIS fee payment receipt.
- F, J and M students must present the receipt as proof of payment at their visa interview and to enter the United States at a U.S. port of entry. Showing an email notification will not be sufficient, the receipt MUST be printed on paper.
STEP 3 – Schedule visa appointment
A citizen of a foreign country who seeks to enter the United States must first obtain a U.S. visa, which is placed in the traveler’s passport, a travel document issued by the traveler’s country of citizenship.
Students will secure an F1 student visa or a J-1 exchange visitor visa. Individuals who enter the U.S. with a tourist visa (B-1/B-2) or under the Visa Waiver Program that your country has with the U.S., CANNOT LEGALLY ATTEND SCHOOL.
U.S. consulates require in-person interviews for most visa applicants. Students are encouraged to schedule the visa interview appointment as early as possible. Students applying for initial-entry F-1 visas may be issued the visa up to 120 days before the academic program start date as noted on the I-20. J-1 exchange visitors may be issued the visa at any time before the beginning of their program. Due to possible security-check delays, the FHSU International Student Services Office encourages students to apply for their visa as early as possible.
Students cannot apply for an F-1 or J-1 visa inside the U.S. Visas can only be obtained outside of the U.S. at a U.S. Embassy.
STEP 4 - Prepare for visa interview process
There are several steps involved in the visa application process and may differ by Embassy and Consulate. Take action on the following:
- Gather required documentation
- Form I-20 or DS-2019
- Passport
- Proof of financial support
- SEVIS fee receipt
- Photos—2 identical color passport style photographs
- Visa application fee receipt
- Online visa application forms and print DS-160 bar code page
- Appointment letter
- Attend visa interview
Tips to prepare for a successful visa interview:
Study in the USA
US Department of State—Bureau of Consular Affairs
Path2USA
NAFSA
STEP 5 - Receive visa
Upon receipt of the student visa, check visa for accuracy (name, date of birth, visa type -- such as F-1 or J-1) and request a correction immediately if errors are found.
J-1 Exchange Visitors become subject to the INA 212(e) two-year home country physical presence requirement. The consular officer makes a preliminary determination at the time of the student interview if they will be subject to this requirement upon entering the U.S. in J-1 status. It should be marked on both the student J-1 visa and DS-2019. To learn more about why and if students are subject, and specific limitations set forth by the two-year Home-Country Resident requirement.
Note for Canadian students
Canadian citizens do not need a U.S. visa, but must present a valid passport, proof of finances, I-20 or DS-2019, and SEVIS fee receipt at the U.S. port of entry.
Visa Denials
Learn more about visa denials.