Applying for and F or M Visa

Prior to your visa interview you are required to take the following steps outlined below. Please review the information carefully. The failure to present the required forms and documents on the day of the interview will result in the cancellation of your appointment.

Step One: Complete the visa application form DS-160 for each person applying for a visa, even babies and children who may be included in a parent's passport. Pleaes note the following points:

• To complete your online visa application, you need a digital photo. Please read carefully the requirements to upload your photo and the photo specifications before you begin completing your application. You must upload a photo in order to submit your application. If the photo you upload is not accepted as suitable, you will be given the option to continue without a photo. If you choose to do this, you must bring with you to the interview a photograph which meets the above photo specifications;



• Fill out all required information completely and correctly, including selecting the appropriate visa type. Significant errors or information marked as “N/A” or “Nil” may result in your application being rejected at the time of your interview. This would require you to complete the entire application again and to reschedule your interview;



• Select London, England as the location at which you apply for the visa.



• In the "Travel Information Section" please ensure that you select the correct visa category under "Purpose of Travel to the United States" which in your case is "Student/Exchange Visitor (F, J, M, Q)" - the drop down list will appear in answer to the question "Are you the Principal Applicant". Dependents - spouse and children under the age of 21 - will be required to select the principal applicant's purpose of travel;



• Print the Confirmation Sheet in "Portrait" format.

Important Notice: As you complete the visa application, save a copy on your hard drive, CD or USB and ‘save’ often.

Before going any further, please ensure that you have your passport and travel details to hand. The application will time out after 20 minutes and any unsaved data will be lost. Remember save often!

Step Two: Gather the documents required for the interview.

• Confirmation page of the DS-160. Please follow this link for further information;
• The Nonimmigrant Visa Interview Confirmation letter;
• A print out of the receipt for the MRV application fee which is sent together with the Nonimmigrant Interview Confirmation Letter, if applicable;
• A passport or other travel document valid for at least six months beyond the holder's period of stay in the United States with at least one blank page - the six-month requirement does not apply to United Kingdom passports. If the passport is damaged, we recommend that you obtain a new passport before applying for the visa to avoid any delay in the processing of your application;
• A photograph if you have been unsuccessful in uploading one with the DS-160. Note: If you successfully upload a photograph but it does not meet State Department specifications, we will not be able to accept your application; you will be asked to return at a later date with a new photograph;
• Furnish a receipt showing payment of the SEVIS fee.

Note: The decision to approve or deny the application will be based on the interview and information provided orally. However, the consular officer may ask the applicant to provide documentary evidence of the following:

• funds sufficient to cover all expenses including tuition while in the United States. Such evidence may include detailed bank statements of your or your parent's accounts showing that adequate funds are available for transfer, evidence of scholarships and/or combination of finances which will meet the estimated total expenses, including tuition, of your proposed stay in the United States;


• a residence abroad to which he/she intends to return at the end of the stay in the United States. This is generally established by evidence of family, professional, property, employment or other ties and commitments to some country other than the United States sufficient to cause the applicant to return there at the conclusion of his/her stay; and
• detailed information concerning his/her academic qualifications. Such evidence may include complete transcripts of grade (marks) and test records of the last four years of school and evidence of TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores.

Step Three: Check the following additional requirements. If they apply in your case, you will be required to present the requested documents on the day of your interview:

• applicants who have been arrested and/or have a criminal conviction, have a medical ineligibility, have been denied entry into or deported from the United States;
• professionals and academics in the areas of science and technology
• nationals of Northern Cyprus

Additional processing requirements and information for

• applicants eligible to apply for a visa by courier

Issuance fees

Nationals of certain countries are required to pay an issuance fee in order for an approved visa to be issued. No fee is charged for the issuance of an F or M visa to a British citizen passport holder.

How do I apply for the visa?

Applicants aged 14 to 79 are required to appear in person before a U.S. consular officer. Applicants under the age of 14 and thosed aged 80 and over may be eligible to submit their application by courier. See "Applying for a Visa" at top right-hand side of this page for further information.

Reminder: We always recommend that individuals apply for visas well in advance of their proposed date of travel. No assurances regarding the issuance of visas can be given in advance. Therefore, final travel plans or the purchase of non refundable ticket should not be made until a visa has been issued and you are in receipt of the passport.

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