Where to apply for a US immigration visa

Applicants for international student visas should apply at the USembassy or consulate in their country of permanent residence. (To find theUS embassy or consulate that is closest to you, click here.) Althoughinternational student visaapplicants may apply at any US consular office abroad, it may be moredifficult to qualify for the visa outside the country of permanentresidence.

In most countries, first time international student visa applicants arerequired to appear for an interview. However, each embassy and consulatesets its own interview policies and procedures regarding these international student visas.Students should consult their local consular office for specific applicationinstructions.

When to apply for an international studentimmigration visa

Applicants should keep in mind that June, July, and Augustare the busiest months in most embassies and consulates. Interviewappointments are usually very difficult to get during that period. Studentsneed to plan ahead to avoid repeat visits to the consular office. It is agood idea for students to bring all the documents described in the section Forms anddocuments on their first visit.

To allow time to overcome any unforeseen problems thatmight arise, students are encouraged to apply for their internationalstudent visa several weeksbefore they plan to travel. Students should not apply more than 90 daysbefore the registration date noted on the I-20 form (Certificate ofEligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status).

Applicants who are not eligible for aninternational student immigration visa

The Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form DS-156 listsclasses of persons who are not eligible to receive international student visas. In some instancesan applicant who is not eligible, but who is eligible to enter the US as astudent, may apply for a waiver and be issued an international student visa if the waiver isapproved.