Paperwork, documents and visas

Visa process after I-20

If you have your I-20, the next step is to apply for your F-1 student visa. These are some tips and links for this important part of the process:

Read your I-20 and make sure all the information is correct.
Pay the $350 SEVIS fee here: https://www.fmjfee.com. It is a payment to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). What is the SEVIS fee for? The I-901 SEVIS Fee is mandated by Congress to support the program office and the automated system that keeps track of students and exchange visitors and ensures that they maintain their status while in the United States. Read more here.
After you pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 form here to apply for an F-1 student visa.

After you pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 form here to apply for an F-1 student visa.
Once you complete the DS-160 form, you should schedule your visa appointment with or through the U.S. Consulate or Embassy web site where you will have your interview. Read more about the F-1 student visa and the visa appointment here.
When can I get a visa appointment? Will I have a visa appointment in advance and before my classes start? Type the city where you will have the appointment here.

Not coming on an F-1 student visa? See other options you may have.

J-1 visa: If you are coming through an institution and funded or indirectly funded by an organization, you can study in our English program. Your institution/organization will work on the application, payment, and visa process. Learn more here.
B1/B2 visa: You can attend our English program in short periods of recreational study and with a part-time schedule with a B1/B2 tourist visa. You will not be able to study a full term or as a full-time student with this visa. If your plans are further studies after our English program (undergraduate or graduate degree, for example), you'd better apply for an F-1 student visa. Read more here. Contact our office here if you intend to learn English with us for a short period of time.
Visa Waiver Program: Certain countries are allowed to enter the U.S. with a visa waiver and study for short periods of time, with a part-time schedule, and with no plans to continue a full term or a degree. Read more here.

VISA DENIED?

If your visa has been denied, you can always apply again. You do not need to pay the $350 SEVIS again for one year, but you will need to pay the $185 visa appointment one more time.
If you schedule another visa appointment, make sure your situation has changed or the reason(s) they gave you on the first appointment to be rejected have also changed.
Read more from the U.S. Travel - Department of State here.

After you get your visa approved, the next step is to reserve your accommodations (student residence, host family, etc.). Make sure your flight tickets match with your check-in and/or checkout dates.
To enter the U.S., you will need your round-trip ticket, passport valid 6 months after your last day in the U.S., I-20 form (or DS-2019 if you are traveling with a J-1 visa), preferably printed, SEVIS fee receipt (preferably printed), and F-1 or J-1 visa.
Make sure you have health insurance during your entire stay. Read the insurance policy, coverage, benefits, and exclusions.
It is not mandatory, but you can also purchase a travel insurance (for luggage loss, luggage damages, flight delays, cancelled flights, etc.).
Make sure you have the complete address where you will stay (street number, street name, apartment number, city, zip code). Immigration officials may ask you for this detailed information.