If you are currently outside of the U.S. and would like to study in the states on a student visa, you must first obtain an I-20. After submitting all of the required request for the I-20 application form sent in your NEXT STEPS email from the Office of Admission, sent after your acceptance letter is posted in your portal, You will be issued a Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status) electronically to your admissions portal, generally within 5-7 business days of submitting the completed Request for I-20 form. Please make sure to check the I-20 document completely. If edits are needed, please email the International Services and Programs Office at: internationalservices@annamaria.edu,

The SEVIS fee (currently $350 USD, this amount is subject to change) is a required part of the U.S. visa application process and must be paid before you attend your visa interview.

Visit this website for an I-901 SEVIS Fee Payment Tutorial: https://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901 Pay the I-901 SEVIS fee online HERE: https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/index.html

1. Complete the Online Visa Application, Form DS-160:
   You must complete the online visa application and print the confirmation page to bring to your interview.
   Here is the link to the Form DS-160: https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/
2. Photo: You will be prompted to upload your photo while completing the Form DS-160. Here are the requirements: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/photos.html
3. Schedule an Interview: You should schedule an appointment for your visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country where you live. Find your local embassy here: https://www.usembassy.gov/ Wait times for interview appointments vary by location, season, and visa category, so you should apply for your visa early. F-1 visas for new students can be issued up to 120 days in advance of the start date for a course of study. However, you will not be allowed to enter the United States on your student visa more than 30 days before the start date. Visit this website for a more detailed guide on applying for the visa: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study/student-visa.html. Information on Various Embassy Visit waiting times can be found at this link. U.S. Visas (state.gov)

1. Pay the Sevis Visa Fee Pay the non-refundable visa application (DS-160) fee if you are required to pay it before your interview. If your visa is approved, you may also pay a visa issuance fee, if applicable to your nationality.
2. Gather Required Documentation documents can vary slightly but generally the documents below will be needed. For additional information about what may be needed please see this guide.

• Passport (valid for 6 months beyond your period of stay in the U.S.
• Form DS-160 confirmation page
• Application fee payment receipt for your I-20
• Photos
• Form I-20
• Financial Banking Supporting Documents
• Admission Letter

Additional Documentation May Be Required A consular officer will interview you to determine your qualifications for a student visa, and may request additional documents, such as evidence of: – Your academic preparation, such as: Transcripts, diplomas, degrees, or certificates from schools you attended; and – Standardized test scores required by your U.S. school; – Your intent to depart the United States upon completion of the course of study; and – How you will pay all educational, living and travel costs. Find more information on the above here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study/student-visa.html

Canadian Students Canadian citizens do not need visas to study or participate in an exchange program in the U.S. However, Canadian students do need to obtain an I-20 (or DS-2019) Certificate of Eligibility from the university, school or exchange program they plan to attend. Upon receipt of the I-20 (or DS-2019), the student will be registered with SEVIS, the student tracking system, will be assigned a SEVIS number, and will be required to pay a registration fee. When crossing the border to begin their study or exchange program in the United States, the student will need to provide the Officer at the port of entry:

• A Canadian passport;
• The original I-20 (or DS-2019) certificate;
• Proof that the SEVIS fee has been paid;
• Proof of ability to pay school fees and living expenses in the United States; and
• Proof of ties to Canada.

Visa Interview Preparation Most individuals who request a visa from the U.S. Consulate or Embassy must be interviewed. Be sure to make your appointment for an interview as soon as possible. Security checks will not begin until you physically hand in your application to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Your interview will last less than five minutes. If you bring lengthy documents (must be translated into English), be able to explain them quickly. Keep your answers short and to the point.

Conversation: The interview will be conducted in English. Be prepared to speak for yourself. Do not prepare speeches. Do not have a family member talk for you. If family members insist on accompanying you to the visa interview, have them wait in the waiting room.

Each year we see a few students that are determined to continue their studies in the United States without a financial plan in place. They “borrow” bank information from others hoping for a visa approval with a goal of “figuring things out”, when they get to the United States. This is NOT a plan. Please make sure that you have a financial plan in place to pay your student bill at the beginning of each term. Unpaid bills will result in you being dropped from your classes and the termination of your student SEVIS record. The college provides a number of tuition payment options that are available on the website.

Employment (for students): While you may be employed during your stay in the U.S. (for school-related internships or post-graduation practical training), it should be clear that working is not your intention. You are coming to Anna Maria to study. Be very clear that you will return to your country after completion of your studies to begin working.

Know your academic program and how it fits your career plan: If you are not able to articulate the reasons you will study in a particular program in the U.S., you may not succeed in convincing the consular officer that you are indeed planning to study, rather than immigrate. You should also be able to explain how studying in the U.S. relates to your future professional career when you return home. Be prepared to answer questions like: Why have you chosen this university? Who will sponsor your education? Do you intend to work in the U.S.? What are your plans after finishing the degree?

Not all countries are equal: Applicants from countries suffering from economic problems or countries where many students have remained in the U.S. as immigrants will have more difficulty getting visas. Statistically, applicants from those countries are more likely to be intending immigrants. They are also more likely to be asked about job opportunities at home after their study in the U.S.

Dependents: If your spouse and children are not coming to the U.S. with you, be ready to explain how they will be supported in your absence. If your family does decide to join you at a later date, it is helpful if they apply at the same post where you applied for your visa. If your spouse is applying for an F-2 visa, be aware that F-2 dependents cannot, under any circumstances, work in the U.S., nor can F-2 dependents study full-time in a college setting. If asked, be prepared to explain what your spouse will be doing while in the U.S. Volunteer work and taking incidental classes such as conversational English classes are permitted.

Ties to Home: Under U.S. law, all applicants for nonimmigrant visas are viewed as intending immigrants until they can convince the consular officer that they are not. Therefore, a common reason for visa denials is due to the individual’s inability to prove connections to their home country. If you have family, a job, land/property, or a residence/house that you will be returning to, bring proof to the interview. Deeds or papers that document the land or house you own are helpful. If you have a job waiting for you when you get back to your home country, have your employer write a letter stating that you will return to that position. If you are leaving your family behind, you could bring marriage and birth certificates to the interview. Written proof is always better than verbal explanations. You must be able to clearly explain your plan to return home at the end of your program.

Positive Attitude: Do not argue with the consular officer. If you are denied a visa, ask the officer for a list of documents that he/she recommends you bring to your next interview to overcome the refusal. Try to get the reason for the denial in writing.

All documents presented to a Counselor Official must be originals- NO COPIES.

Find the required forms under “Required Health Forms” Medicat & Required Forms – Anna Maria College

Take the time to complete an update physical with your physician BEFORE you enter the US. Schedule an appointment with your dentists before you arrive. Make sure that all of the required immunizations are up to date.

Annual flu vaccination is also strongly recommended.

Deadlines:

Resident students must submit health forms by August 9. Students will not be allowed to move into the residence halls if outstanding requirements exist.

Commuter students must submit health forms by September 1.

Contact Information For additional information regarding the Anna Maria College and Immunization Form or Health Holds, please contact our Health Staff at Health & Counseling – Anna Maria College Health Services – Trinity Hall 508-849-3315 email: healthservices@annamaria.edu Webpage: Student Health Services – Anna Maria College