Applying for a Student Visa

International students may attend the university with many types of U.S. visas. The two most common ones are student F and J visas. To obtain an F-1 or J-1 student visa, a student needs to have a form I-20 (for F-1 visa) or DS-2019 (for J-1 visa).

While some sponsoring agencies issue DS-2019 forms themselves, Texas A&M can issue both of these documents. In order for Texas A&M to issue an DS-2019 or I-20 form to attend Texas A&M, a student must submit documentation to International Student Services. For further information concerning the paperwork necessary to get an I-20 or DS-2019, please visit the following pages:

• How to Obtain a DS-2019 or I-20 Form?

Once a new student, who is located outside the United States, has the I-20 or DS-2019, he/she can apply for a student visa at the nearest U.S. Consulate or Embassy. For more information concerning the visa application process, please refer to the following pages:

• Student Visas U.S. Department of State
• What is Needed to Apply for a Student Visa?
• 10 Points to Remember When Applying for a Non-Immigrant Visa
• Students and Immigrant Intent Department of State Cable, 09/2005

All student applicants must have a SEVIS generated I-20 issued by an educational institution approved by DHS, which they submit when they are applying for their student visa. The consular officer will need to verify your I-20 record electronically through the SEVIS system in order to process your student visa application. Unless otherwise exempt, participants whose SEVIS I-20 was issued on or after September 1, 2004 must pay a SEVIS I-901 Fee to the Department of Homeland Security for each individual program. Refer to the following page for more information:

• Sevis Fee Requirement

Be sure to pay the Sevis fee at least 3 days prior to the visa appointment at the U.S. embassy or consulate, because the visa application requires proof of the payment, the SEVIS identification number to which the fee was paid.

Below is a video by the U.S. Embassy in London about the visa interview:

• Attending a Non-Immigrant Visa Interview

Please refer to the following document for visa process and the total estimated time needed to obtain a visa:

• Timeline from Document Issuance to Receipt of Student Visa (F1, J1)

Please be aware that there may be special visa processing procedures and related delays depending on your country of origin and field of study.

• Technology Alert List (TAL): This is a list of disciplines being studied that require a Security Advisory Opinion (SAO) from the Department of State in Washington before a visa can be issued. The list is not publicly available, but you should be aware that any technology that could be used to develop a weapon (or part thereof) may be on the TAL. If your field of study requires an SAO, it will take anywhere from 3 days to 3 months to receive your visa AFTER it has been approved.
• Special Visa Processing Procedures - Travelers from State Sponsors of Terrorism by Department of State