Student Visa Attorney

STUDENT VISA ATTORNEYS WITH 50 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE 

With five decades of experience in immigration and thousands of success stories, our dedicated student visa attorneys at Spar & Bernstein have helped countless international students overcome visa-related challenges and successfully pursue their education in the United States. 

WHY HIRE SPAR & BERNSTEIN FOR STUDENT VISAS? 

If you are planning to study at a U.S. college or university or enroll in a language training or other educational program, our knowledgeable immigration team at The Law Offices of Spar & Bernstein is here to help. 

We will provide personalized guidance, address your concerns, help you file your student visa application and prepare you for your interview. From the beginning steps to the moment you receive your visa, we’ll be by your side every step of the way.  

TYPES OF US STUDENT VISAS  

Student visas are nonimmigrant visas that allow you to pursue your educational goals in the U.S. 

There are three types of student visas: 

• F-1 Visa: The most common type of student visa, the F-1 visa is granted to international students who plan to pursue academic programs at accredited U.S. colleges, academic high schools, universities, conservatories, seminaries or language training programs.  
• M-1 Visa: The M-1 visa is granted to students who are planning to pursue vocational or non-academic programs at U.S. institutions, such as technical schools.  
• J-1 Visa: The J-1 visa is granted to exchange visitors who are participating in approved exchange programs, such as educational, cultural and research-based exchange programs sponsored by schools, organizations or government entities. Exchange visitors can include students, trainees, teachers, scholars, professors and others. 

ELIGIBILITY FOR F-1 & M-1 STUDENT VISAS (FULL-TIME STUDENTS) 

To be eligible for a F-1 or M-1 student visa category, you must: 

• Be enrolled as a full-time student in a language-learning, vocation or academic educational program 
• Have selected a school approved by the Student and Exchange Visitors Program, Immigration & Customs Enforcement 
• Be proficient in English or be enrolled in classes that will make you proficient in English 
• Have adequate finances to support yourself during the entire length of your studies 
• Keep a residence abroad with no intention of giving it up 

HOW TO APPLY FOR A STUDENT VISA AS A FULL-TIME STUDENT 

To apply for a full-time student visa (F-1 or M-1 student visa): 

1. Obtain Form I-20 from a U.S. educational institution

Before applying for a F-1 or M-1 student visa, you must first receive Form I-20, which proves that you are enrolled in a U.S. college, university or other educational institution. 

2. Pay the I-901 SEVIS fee 

Visit fmjfee.com to pay your I-901 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee, which supports the administration of the visa program and the maintenance of student records.  

3. Submit the online nonimmigrant visa application (Form DS-160)

Complete Form DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa application by listing your personal information, travel plans and other relevant details. Form DS-160 is used to determine your eligibility for a student visa. 

4. Schedule a visa interview

Once you complete Form DS-160, schedule an appointment for a visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your home country.  

5. Pay the visa application fee

This fee is meant to cover the cost of application processing along with your visa interview.  

6. Attend the visa interview

When your scheduled date arrives, go to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate for your student visa interview. Make sure you have all the required documents with you (more on that below).  

DOCUMENTS TO BRING TO YOUR F-1/M-1 STUDENT VISA INTERVIEW 

The documents you need to bring to your F-1/M-1 student visa interview at the Embassy or Consulate include: 

• Form I-20 from the U.S. educational institution 
• Form DS-160 — the visa application form’s confirmation page 
• The receipt from the visa application fee 
• The SEVIS fee receipt 
• A valid passport 
• A photo  
• Any additional information that the Embassy or Consulate may require, including financial evidence, a diploma or academic transcripts 

HOW TO APPLY FOR A J-1 VISA 

To apply for a J-1 visa: 

1. Find an exchange visitor program: Identify and secure a sponsorship from an authorized Exchange Visitor Program (EVP) that offers the type of exchange program you want to participate in. 
2. Submit Form DS-2019: Once accepted into an EVP, the sponsoring organization will provide you with Form DS-2019, which is the official document that certifies your eligibility for the J-1 visa program.
3. Pay the SEVIS fee: This fee is meant to help maintain student records and the administration of the visa program.
4. Complete the online nonimmigrant visa application (Form DS-160): In this application, you will provide detailed information about your study plans.
5. Schedule an interview: After submitting your application online, schedule your visa interview with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
6. Pay the fee for your visa application: The application fee is S160.
7. Attend the interview at the Embassy or Consulate: Bring all necessary documents with you to the interview. 

DOCUMENTS TO BRING TO YOUR J-1 VISA INTERVIEW 

The documents you need to bring with you to your J-1 student visa interview at the Embassy or Consulate include: 

• Form DS-2019 from the U.S. sponsoring organization 
• Form DS-160 — the visa application form’s confirmation page 
• The receipt from the visa application fee 
• The SEVIS fee receipt 
• A valid passport 
• A photo  
• Any additional information related to the educational program or required by the Embassy or Consulate