First Time Applying for an F-1 or J-1 Visa

Get I-20 or DS-1019 from ISSS

To start the visa application process, you will need your TAMU issued I-20/DS-2019. If you don’t have an I-20/DS-2019 yet and have not submitted a request to ISSS yet, click the links below to start your request:

• New F-1/J-1 Student: Start I-20/DS-2019 Application
• New J-1 Scholar or Intern: Start DS-2019 Application

Submit DS-160 Visa Application

After you receive the completion email from ISSS with your SEVIS ID, you can submit your  DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application  to the U.S. Department of State. See the DS-160 Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

• More visa application info for F-1s
• More visa application info for J-1s
• List of U.S. Embassies and Consulates

Pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee

After your I-20/DS-2019 is issued, you will need to pay the required SEVIS Fee. You will need your SEVIS ID and campus/program code from your I-20/DS-2019. ISSS will include this information in the completion email so you can pay the fee before you receive your document.

• You can pay the fee online at fmjfee.com
• See the I-901 Frequently Asked Questions to learn more

ISSS strongly encourages you to pay the SEVIS Fee prior to scheduling a visa interview. However, we understand that is not always possible. At a minimum, the SEVIS fee should be paid at least 3 days prior to the visa appointment at the U.S. Embassy/ Consulate. The U.S. Department of State requires proof of the payment before they will issue the requested visa.

Visa Interview

Part of your application will include an interview at the consulate/embassy. This interview is for the visa officer to assess why you want to go to the U.S. in a short amount of time. They will verify the information on your I-20/DS-2019 and ask questions about your program and plans. You will be required to speak in English during the interview.

• Check visa appointment wait times
• 10 Points to Remember When Applying for a Student Visa
• List of U.S. Embassies and Consulates

Visa Renewal

If your F-1 or J-1 visa expires or will expire while you are in the U.S., DO NOT PANIC. As long as you have a valid I-20 or DS-2019, you can continue staying in the U.S. with an expired visa. You will only need to renew your visa if you intend to travel internationally and return to the U.S.**.

If you do plan to renew your visa, plan ahead. You must renew your visa at a U.S. consulate/embassy abroad and it could take a considerable amount of time.  Review current processing times and schedule your appointment with the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate in advance.

**Under the rules of automatic revalidation, if you have a valid I-94 then a renewed visa may not be required for trips less than 30 days to Canada, Mexico, or certain adjacent islands. Please review the rules of automatic revalidation and/or consult an immigration attorney before traveling using this method. ISSS also recommends you print out and carry a copy of the automatic revalidation rules with you in case you need it at the port of entry.

Important Information on the United States Visa

After you have received your U.S. Visa, please take the time to read it carefully and understand the information on the document. For specific information on how to read the document, review this Department of State page.

Please be aware of the following:

Number of Entries

This visa section specifies how many times that visa is valid for entry.

• If your visa has a number in this section, that is the number of times you can enter the U.S. using that visa before the expiration date.
  • Some visitors may receive a single-entry visa
• If your visa has an M in this section, you can use the same visa to re-enter the U.S. multiple times before the expiration date.

For more information, please review this webpage from the Department of State 

212(e) Annotation for J-1 Exchange Visitors

Visas issued to students and scholars participating in the Exchange Visitor Program will list whether they are subject to the two-year home-country physical presence requirement in the Annotation section.

This will be specified by stating,
Subject to Section 212(e) or
Not Subject to 212(e) – Two Year Rule Does Not Apply

For more information, visit our 212(e) and the Bars page

Visa Applications Outside your Home Country

Most people apply for visas or renew their visas at the local U.S. Consulate or Embassy in their home country. However, this is not an option for everyone due to restrictions or other issues. If you are in this situation, you may be able to apply for your visa in another country. This is sometimes called a Third Country Visa Applications or Third Country National Applications. 

Third Country Visa applications are more difficult because they usually require more documentation and are under more scrutiny. You will also need proof that you’re in the other country legally. The U.S. Department of State has some information about applying for visas in Canada and Mexico. It is possible to apply in other countries as well.

Keep in mind, some U.S. consulates/embassies will not accept third country applications – so you need to check ahead before you apply. Check the consulate or embassy website or contact them for more information.

ISSS recommends you consult an experienced immigration attorney (in your home country or in the U.S.) for assistance if you’re considering a third country application. ISSS has a list of some U.S. based immigration attorneys here.

If you are currently in the U.S., you will have to leave the U.S. to apply for a visa or renew your visa 

Additional Resources

Please understand that these videos were published by the U.S. Department of State and ISSS takes no responsibility for the accuracy of the information provided therein. All information is subject to change it is YOUR responsibility to confirm all requirements with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you will interview. 

• Attending Your Non-Immigrant Visa Interview at the U.S. Embassy in London —US Embassy London (2018)
• Required Documents Needed For A Non-Immigrant Visa Interview—US Embassy South Africa (2017)
• U.S. Embassy Insider on Non-Immigrant Visas—U.S. Embassy in the Philippines (2017)
• Don’t wait in line, arrive “Just on Time” for your U.S. visa interview appointment—US Embassy India (2017)
• Non-Immigrant Visa Application Process—Us Embassy Bridgetown (2016)
• Applying for a U.S. Visa in New Delhi—U.S. Embassy India (2015)
• Non-Immigrant Visa Q&A—US Consulate General Vancouver (2014)
• Applying for a Non-Immigrant Visa (U.S. Embassy Manila)—U.S. Embassy in the Philippines (2014)