{"id":4839,"date":"2024-07-18T10:08:43","date_gmt":"2024-07-18T15:08:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nicholls.edu\/international\/?page_id=4839"},"modified":"2024-07-23T12:30:35","modified_gmt":"2024-07-23T17:30:35","slug":"visa-process","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.nicholls.edu\/international\/visa-process\/","title":{"rendered":"Visa Process"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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VISA PROCESS<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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International students in the U.S. are generally admitted under the F-1 student visa classification, but some students may also be admitted as J-1 students (e.g. students on exchange from a foreign university).<\/span><\/p>

Those who petition for F-1 or J-1 visas are admitted as non-immigrants, and are granted temporary stay in the U.S.\u00a0 In order to apply for the\u00a0F-1 visa<\/strong>, the prospective student must receive a form I-20 document from our director of International Student Services.\u00a0 In order to apply for a\u00a0J-1 visa<\/strong>, the student must receive a form DS-2019.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

Canadian students do not need to visit a US embassy or acquire a US Visa.<\/strong>\u00a0 Instead, they are responsible for presenting their I-20 or DS-2019 \u2013 with additional supporting documentation \u2013 at their selected US land\/air border crossing, where a border agent will assess their entry.\u00a0 Canadian students are still responsible for paying their SEVIS Fee, and showing the receipt.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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1. Obtain Admission and Immigration Documents<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Receive an admission letter<\/strong> and I-20<\/strong> (for F-1 students) or DS-2019<\/strong> (for J-1 students) from the University. <\/span><\/p>\n

Make sure that all of the information listed on your I-20 or DS-2019 (including major and funding) is accurate before you proceed to Step 2. If any information is incorrect, please email <\/span>marilyn.gonzalez@nicholls.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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2. Pay the SEVIS Fee<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The<\/span>\u00a0I-901 SEVIS Fee<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0is required for all students and scholars (F-1 and J-1).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

This fee, paid to the Department of Homeland Security, will be necessary to secure your visa appointment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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3. Complete Form DS-160, and Pay the Visa Application Fee (non-refundable)<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Complete the\u00a0online visa application<\/a><\/strong> (FORM DS-160), and upload a photo that meets the requirements.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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4. Schedule an Interview with the U.S. Embassy in your Home Country<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Make sure to allow enough time to apply for visa. We recommend applying as soon as you pay your I-901 fee to ensure that you have enough time to obtain your visa and enroll for your semester of admission. Visa applications can take up to 3 months. <\/span><\/p>

You can check visa wait times at:\u00a0 https:\/\/travel.state.gov\/content\/travel\/en\/us-visas\/study\/student-visa.html<\/a><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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5. Gather Required Documents to bring to your Visa Interview<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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