Additional student visa documentation

To study in the United States, the school or exchange program must first accept you into the program. They will then apply for the appropriate documentation to the U.S. government officials on your behalf. These documents, refered to as an I-20 or DS-2019, confirms that you are enrolled in a study program which has been approved to accept foreign students. You must have the correct documentation from the program or school to apply for the visa requested. the Consulate cannot issue a student visa without this form. Please note: it is very important that you have the I-20 and (if required) visa in hand when entering the U.S. as a student otherwise you will be asked to return to your home country and re-enter in on the correct documentation.

Student visas (F,M) often require additional documentation to complete the non-immigrant visas process. These include: 

1. Proof of funds demonstrating your ability to finance your education, equal to or greater than the total amount noted on the I-20. You may need to contact your bank for appropriate documentation.


2. An electronically issued approval form – either a SEVIS-type I-20 (Form I-20 A-B/I-20ID, Form I-20 M-N/I-20ID) or DS-2019 and a of SEVIS fee receipt (I-901). Please confirm with your U.S. institution that the I-901 has been paid prior to the visa application. If this fee has not been paid you must go to: www.fmjfee.com and follow the instructions or click here for instructions on how to complete this process. Each dependent of the principal applicant must have an I-20 form or DS-2019 in his or her own name issued by the U.S. institution. Additionally, if you have an amended form, DS-2019, dated on or after July 19, 2007, you must also present form DS-7002.


3. Form DS-158 completely filled out, signed, and dated. All sections must be filled in with complete information or marked as n/a (not applicable).
   
4. Birth and marriage certificates for dependent children and spouse.


5. Evidence of your academic record (transcripts) to date.


6. Once you have gathered the above mentioned documents you may now proceed onto "How to Apply" to complete the non-immigrant visa process.

Please note: Bermudian Citizens currently do not require a visa to attend school in the United States. Presentation of the I-20 for academic or vocational studies or the DS-2019 for exchange visitor's form plus proof of financial support to the U.S. Customs and Border Protections officer at the port of entry is sufficient for students to attend school in the United States. However, many students report that obtaining a visa eases their transition into student life. For instance, it is required in order to obtain a U.S. Driver's License or other documentation in many states.

The spouse and children (under age 21) of the student visa applicants are eligible to receive visas to accompany the applicant to the United States. The visas will be of the same category as the principal applicant's and the fees will be the same. Applicants will have to provide evidence of the relationship when applying for the visas (e.g. marriage or birth certificates). If the family applies for a visa without the principle applicant, they should bring a copy of the I-20 or DS-2019 on which accompanying family members should have been noted. If they are not noted on the principal applicant's I-20, then the family members must have their own I-20s. Though F-1 students may accept on-campus employment with INS approval, spouses may NOT engage in work or full-time study with dependent visas.

For more information regarding student visa information please go to: www.travel.state.gov/visa/tempvisitors_types_students2.html.