Visa requirements

United States of America

General visa requirements for travelling to United States of America. These policies apply to all nationalities unless a country-specific policy exists.

Have a specific passport country? Check your specific route.

Student visa (F-1 Student Visa)

Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026

Embassy required

Processing time: Varies by embassy, typically 3-5 weeks
Fee: $785 USD
Validity: Duration of academic program plus 60-day grace period
Entry: Multiple entry

Eligibility

Purpose of visit
Must be enrolled full-time in academic program at SEVP-approved school, college, university, language training program, or other academic institution.
Includes
- Full-time academic study
Financial
Must prove ability to pay all educational, living, and travel costs for entire duration of study. Typically requires proof of $35,000-$60,000 for first year depending on institution.

Minimum funds: $35,000-$60,000 USD for first year

Documents you need

Passport
Blank pages required: 1; Validity months: 6
Photo
Count: 1; Specifications: 2x2 inches (51x51mm), color, white background, taken within 6 months. Head must be 50-69% of image height. Digital: 600-1200 pixels square, JPEG, under 240KB. No glasses, no AI editing.
Bank statement
Minimum balance: Varies by school; typically $35,000-$60,000 for first year; Months required: 6
Proof of funds
Accepted forms: Bank statements (3-6 months), sponsor affidavit, scholarship letters, loan approval letters; Minimum amount: Sufficient to cover first year tuition and living expenses, typically $35,000-$60,000 USD
Admission letter
Must be notarized: No; Must be original: Yes; Must show program dates: Yes
Application form
Use the official application form for this route and complete all required fields.

Form name: DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application; Form url: https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/
Academic transcript
Provide academic records for the course, qualification or training route.

Must be notarized: No; Must be translated: Yes
Language proficiency
Accepted tests: TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo English Test, or institution's proof of English proficiency; Minimum score: Varies by institution
Study acceptance confirmation
Confirmation number: SEVIS ID (N000xxxxxxx) from Form I-20; Issuing institution: SEVP-approved school, college, or university
Program registration fee
Fee amount: $350 USD; Payment url: https://www.fmjfee.com/; Registration system: SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System)

How to apply

Document gathering
Receive Form I-20 Certificate of Eligibility from SEVP-approved school. School will register you in SEVIS system.
Fee payment
Pay SEVIS I-901 fee of $350 online at fmjfee.com at least 3 days before applying for visa. Keep payment receipt.
Online application
Complete Form DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application. Print confirmation page with barcode.
Biometrics
Provide fingerprints and photo at visa application center or embassy.
Interview
Attend visa interview. Be prepared to explain your study plans, financial resources, and intent to return home after studies.
Processing wait
Processing typically takes 3-5 weeks but varies by location. Some cases require additional administrative processing.
Visa collection
If approved, collect passport with visa. Can enter US up to 30 days before program start date on I-20.

Student visa (M-1 Vocational Student Visa)

Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026

Embassy required

Maximum stay: 365 days
Processing time: Varies by embassy, typically 3-5 weeks
Fee: $755 USD
Validity: Duration of program up to 1 year, extendable up to 3 years total, plus 30-day grace period
Entry: Multiple entry

Eligibility

Purpose of visit
Must be enrolled full-time in vocational or non-academic program at SEVP-approved institution.
Includes
- Vocational training
- technical courses
Financial
Must prove sufficient funds to finance studies and living expenses for entire visa duration.

Minimum funds: Varies by program

Documents you need

Passport
Blank pages required: 1; Validity months: 6
Photo
Count: 1; Specifications: 2x2 inches (51x51mm), color, white background, taken within 6 months. Head must be 50-69% of image height. Digital: 600-1200 pixels square, JPEG, under 240KB.
Bank statement
Minimum balance: Varies by school and program length; Months required: 6
Proof of funds
Accepted forms: Bank statements, sponsor affidavit, financial guarantee; Minimum amount: Sufficient to cover tuition and living expenses for program duration
Admission letter
Must be notarized: No; Must be original: Yes; Must show program dates: Yes
Application form
Use the official application form for this route and complete all required fields.

Form name: DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application; Form url: https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/
Language proficiency
Accepted tests: English proficiency meeting institute requirements or enrollment in English courses; Minimum score: Institution-specific

How to apply

Document gathering
Receive Form I-20 from SEVP-approved vocational school. School registers you in SEVIS.
Fee payment
Pay SEVIS I-901 fee of $330 (or $220 per some sources) online at fmjfee.com.
Online application
Complete DS-160 form online. Print confirmation page.
Appointment booking
Schedule and attend visa interview at US embassy or consulate.
Interview
Attend interview with all required documents including I-20, financial proof, and evidence of ties to home country.
Processing wait
Processing typically 3-5 weeks. May require additional administrative processing.
Visa collection
Collect passport with visa if approved.

Student visa (J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa)

Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026

Embassy required

Processing time: Varies by embassy, typically 3-5 weeks
Fee: $535 USD
Validity: Duration of exchange program as specified on DS-2019
Entry: Multiple entry

Eligibility

Purpose of visit
Must participate in approved exchange visitor program sponsored by State Department-designated organization. Programs include educational, cultural exchange activities such as teaching, research, training, au pair work.
Includes
- Exchange programs: work-study
- research
- teaching
- training
- au pair
Financial
Must have sufficient funds to cover expenses during exchange program period as outlined by sponsor.

Minimum funds: Varies by program

Documents you need

Passport
Blank pages required: 1; Validity months: 6
Photo
Count: 1; Specifications: 2x2 inches (51x51mm), color, white background, taken within 6 months. Digital: 600-1200 pixels square, JPEG, under 240KB.
Proof of funds
Accepted forms: Bank statements, sponsor funding letter, personal funds; Minimum amount: Sufficient for program duration as specified by sponsor
Application form
Use the official application form for this route and complete all required fields.

Form name: DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application; Form url: https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/
Sponsorship certificate
Certificate name: DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status; Sponsor type: State Department-designated exchange program sponsor
Return obligation
Obligation period years: 2; Waiver available: Yes
Program registration fee
Fee amount: $220 USD; Payment url: https://www.fmjfee.com/; Registration system: SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System)

How to apply

Document gathering
Apply and be accepted into exchange visitor program through pre-approved sponsor organization. Receive DS-2019 form after sponsor registers you in SEVIS. Trainee/Intern categories also require DS-7002 form.
Fee payment
Pay SEVIS I-901 fee of $220 online (fee waived for US government-sponsored programs with specific serial numbers).
Online application
Complete DS-160 online visa application. Print confirmation page.
Interview
Attend visa interview with DS-2019, DS-7002 (if applicable), financial documents, and program details.
Processing wait
Processing typically 3-5 weeks.
Visa collection
Collect passport with visa if approved.

This information is provided for general guidance only. Visa requirements can change frequently and may vary by nationality. Always verify with the official embassy or consulate before making travel plans. Contact [email protected] for assistance.