Student Visa

Last Updated on 2023-06-26

Student visas are primarily categorized into two types: F-1 visa, which is issued for students attending U.S. educational institutions certified by the Department of Education, such as universities, colleges, vocational schools, primary and secondary schools, and language schools. M-1 visa, on the other hand, is issued for students attending technical or vocational schools, such as beauty schools, flight schools, culinary schools, etc. This section will provide a brief overview of the F-1 visa and its dependent visa application process.

I-20

I-20, issued by the school’s international affairs office, is a necessary document for applying for an F visa to the United States. It is also a required document for entry and for handling many affairs in the United States.

• I-20 lists the student’s personal information, school information, detailed content of the degree program, and required financial proof.
• I-20 will only be issued within 120 days before the designated school registration date.
• Transfer students, regardless of whether they have already obtained a degree, must first go to the international student office of their original school to transfer.
• It’s recommended to keep a scanned or photocopied version of the I-20 on hand.”

After confirming the admission letter, you need to fill in the relevant information at My OIS, Pitt or My OIE, CMU:

• Personal Information
• Financial Information: If you have funding, the department will submit it for you.
• Passport: If your passport has a short remaining validity, you may consider renewing it.

If you feel like it’s taking too long to receive updates about the processing of your I-20, please actively reach out to the school’s international student office, as there may have been an oversight on the part of the department or the central office. Currently, I-20s are allowed to be sent electronically.

After receiving your I-20, you should check whether your name, date of birth (the above two items need to match the passport), school department, proof of financial capacity, permitted period of stay, check-in date, and whether the international student advisor has signed on the first page are correct. If there are any errors, attach the correct information and request a reissue.

It’s normal for the major name on the I-20 to differ from the Program name at the school. The major name in SEVIS is fixed and limited, so the school will choose the name closest to the Program name to put on the I-20. The difference in names will not cause problems when applying for a visa or passing through immigration.

Apply for a U.S. Visa

The following describes the application process for F visas.

DS-160: Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application

Required Documents for US Visa

• I-20: the SEVIS ID is located at the top left of the I-20.
• A digital copy of a photo that meets U.S. visa standards (5×5 cm)
• Address and phone number in the U.S. (if the accommodation has not yet been arranged, you can use the school’s address)
• The English names and birthdates of your parents as they appear on their passports
• The English names and addresses of two friends (who are not related to you)
• Social media account usernames used in the past five years

Schedule An Appointment for Visa Interview

Before scheduling an interview for a visa, you need to pay the visa application fee and SEVIS I-901. These two fees are separate. The visa application fee is paid when you create a personal profile in the visa online system and print out a payment slip to pay at the post office (be sure to keep the receipt), and then use the number on the receipt to schedule an interview. The SEVIS fee is paid online, and remember to print the payment receipt after paying.

In-person Visa Interview

On the day of the visa interview, arrive at the designated time. Small electronic devices (such as mobile phones and tablets, but not laptops) are allowed, but bags larger than 18x14x8 inches are not permitted. It’s best not to bring any bags at all, as the facility does not provide a place to store personal belongings, so you’ll need to find somewhere to store your items beforehand. The visa officers at AIT understand Chinese, but you should still respond in English. Be careful not to express any intention to immigrate, such as wanting to work or stay in the US, as this can lead to an immediate visa refusal when applying for an F visa.

After you’ve made your appointment online, you can find a list of required documents on the appointment confirmation. While they may not all be necessary, it’s recommended to bring them all. Additional documents, like a household registration transcript, can be in Chinese.

⭐Required Documents

• Passport valid for the duration of your intended stay
• Interview appointment confirmation
• DS-160 confirmation
• Photograph that meets US visa specifications (5×5 cm)
• Post office receipt for the visa application fee
• Receipt of SEVIS I-901 fee payment
• I-20

✅Supporting Documents

• All old passports
• Proof of financial support
• Transcripts, Diploma
• Resume
• Proof of Employment
• Household Registration (if you have changed your name)
• Admission letter

Administrative Processing

If your visa application is not approved or denied during the visa interview, it means your case will undergo administrative processing, commonly known as AP or check. Certain applicants involved in sensitive fields such as AI or viruses may require additional administrative review. In general, this process takes about a month or even longer, but in most cases, it can be completed within 60 days after the interview.

It is not recommended to plan to travel abroad within a month after the visa interview to avoid potential administrative processing delays that could prevent you from leaving.

Passport Retrieval

You can check the status of your visa application here. Typically, passports are returned within a week of visa approval via courier service. If there is an AIT-designated courier handling center near your location (e.g., SF Express), you may consider collecting your passport from that center. It is cheaper, faster, and offers more flexible pick-up times. Unless your visa is denied on the spot, once approved or undergoing administrative processing, AIT will temporarily hold your passport. However, if your case enters administrative processing, the wait time may be as long as a month or more. Therefore, for peace of mind, it is advisable not to plan to travel abroad within a month after the visa interview, as you may not have your passport during that time.

Dependent Visa

Qualifications for dependent visas: Spouses or unmarried children under the age of 21. Note that parents are not eligible to apply.

Features of F-2 Dependent Visa:

• Dependents with F-2 visas are allowed to freely enter and exit the United States without needing to accompany the F-1 visa holder.
• F-1 visa holders cannot enter the United States before their initial entry.
• F-2 visas do not need to be applied for simultaneously with the F-1 visa, but they cannot be obtained earlier than the latter.
• When applying for visas or entering the United States together, individuals will be processed together in front of the interviewer/immigration officer.
• The visa expiration date will coincide with the expiration date of the F-1 visa.
• F-2 visa holders are not allowed to work.
• They can attend schools below the level of junior high. For education at the high school level or above, they need to apply for an independent F-1 visa.

Dependent’s Additional Documents

• Dependent’s own I-20: The F-1 visa holder needs to request the dependent’s I-20 from the school.
• Proof of relationship: Provide the original marriage certificate, birth certificates of children, or other documents proving the relationship between the dependent and the F-1 visa holder.
• Proof of the F-1 visa holder’s legal status in the U.S.: Provide copies of the F-1 visa holder’s passport, U.S. visa, and I-20 form.
• Visa fee payment: Dependents need to pay the visa application fee, but there is no need to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee.

Frequently Asked Questions