apply for you student visa

Step 4: Apply for Your Visa

Short-Term

The United States government offers three student visa types including F, J, and M.

  • for study at an accredited U.S. college or university or to study English at an English language institute
  • for participation in an exchange program, including high school and university study
  • : for non-academic or vocational study or training in the United States

Before you can apply for an F, J, or M student visa, you must first apply and be accepted by a U.S. institution of higher education that is certified by the

Even when an institution is SEVP-certified and able to issue I-20 and DS-2019 forms for use in visa applications, it may not hold national or regional accreditation. The聽听补苍诲听聽databases list accreditation status for all U.S. institutions. Institutions designated by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs to place participants in聽must be accredited. Recognition of course credits and degrees by other institutions and by U.S. and international employers is linked to an institution's accreditation. To learn more about accreditation talk to an 91制片厂 adviser.

Once accepted at an SEVP-certified school, you will receive a Form I-20 or DS-2019 from the institution's international student office to present when you apply for your student visa. Once you receive your form, visit:

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It is important to note that two separate U.S. government agencies are involved with international student arrival and status while studying in the United States. The State Department is responsible for the visa application process and issuing the visa. Once a visa holder arrives in the United States, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security then takes over as the responsible agency for entry into the country, as well as issuing and enforcing international student regulations. Please read information from all three sources above before applying for a U.S. student visa. The sites address聽,听, and other vital topics.

For short periods of recreational study, a Visitor (B) visa can be used
Enrollment in a short recreational course of study, which is聽not for credit聽toward a degree or academic certificate, is permitted on a visitor (B) visa. Learn more about聽.