Consulate General Belfast

Checklist for Students and Exchange Visitors

A complete application package for an F, M, or J visa includes the following:

• Printout of the letter emailed to you by the Consulate's Operator Assisted Information Service (call center) confirming date, time and location of appointment.



• Printout of the receipt emailed to you by the Consulate's call center showing that you have paid the $100 visa processing fee.



• Printout of the completed 3-page visa application form DS-156 with a clear good quality print of the barcode. This form can be found at http://london.usembassy.gov (follow the links for Visas to the U.S., then Visa Forms)
.

• A saved copy of your completed form DS-156 on disc.



• Completed application form DS-158. This form can also be found at http://london.usembassy.gov (follow the links for Visas to the U.S., then Visa Forms).



• For ALL MALES between 16 and 45, a completed application form DS-157. This form can also be found at http://london.usembassy.gov (follow the links for Visas to the U.S., then Visa Forms).



• A current passport in good condition with at least one blank page.



• One passport photograph that conforms to U.S. Government specifications. See http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/visa/niv/photo.pdf.



• Form DS-2019 'Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Visa' or form I-20 'Certificate of Eligibility for Student Visa'.



• If the DS-2019 or the I-20 indicates that you will fund the program with "personal funds" of over $1000, proof that such funds are available to you or your parents, e.g. bank statements. Those whose I-20 or DS2019 shows that they are being funded by a private sponsor or an organization in either the U.S. or the UK will be required to furnish documentation to show that this is the case, e.g., scholarship documentation, a letter from the funding organization, bank statements showing that the private sponsor has access to the necessary funds, etc.



• Receipt for payment of the SEVIS fee
.


• If you are enrolled in school/college/university for the coming academic year, a letter from the school to that effect.



• If you are not enrolled in school/college/university for the coming academic year, some other proof of your ties to the UK sufficient to compel you to return here at the end of your J-program e.g. proof of a job/course/further training that you have arranged to begin on your return to the UK.
  Note: ALL “Summer Work/Travel” (SWT) program participants MUST provide proof that they are currently enrolled as students at a post-secondary non-vocational institution. If yours is an SWT program, this will be indicated on your form DS2019 under section 4 “Exchange Visitor Category”.



• A prepaid Royal Mail Special Delivery Envelope. These can be purchased at any U.K. post office at a cost of £4.15. Please keep a record of the number on the envelope, and complete the addressee and sender details.



• If you have ever been arrested (even if that arrest did not lead to a conviction) and/or convicted of a crime, a police certificate or "Subject Access Statement". If your arrest did not result in a conviction, you will need to provide documentation to show that you were cleared or that no charges were brought.

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