I'm a Canadian student planning to start college in the US next year. What are the visa requirements I need to be aware of, and how early should I start the application process for a student visa?
As a student from Canada planning to study in the U.S., you will need to obtain an F-1 student visa. Here are the steps:
1. Acceptance to a SEVP approved school: After you have been accepted to a U.S. school that is a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) approved, you will receive a Form I-20 ("Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status").
2. Pay the SEVIS fee: Use the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) ID number located on the top of your Form I-20 to pay the SEVIS fee.
3. Apply for the visa: Complete the online visa application (Form DS-160). Print out the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview.
4. Schedule an interview: While students from some countries must often wait for weeks or even months for an interview, as a Canadian, your visa will generally be processed faster.
During the visa interview, you will need to present several documents, including:
- A valid passport
- The Form I-20 you received from your school
- The DS-160 visa application confirmation page
- Payment receipt for the visa application fee and the SEVIS fee
- Passport photos
- Transcripts and test scores from previous institutions
- Financial evidence showing you or your parents have sufficient funds to cover your tuition and living expenses during the period you intend to study
It's generally advisable to start your visa application as soon as possible after receiving your I-20 form from your school. While the issuance for Canadian applicants might be faster, it could still take some time. The entire process from acceptance to obtaining the visa could take several weeks, so you'll want to give yourself at least three months of lead time before your college program starts. Remember that visa issuance isn't guaranteed, and not all applicants will have their visas approved.
While the U.S. consulates in Canada are not currently conducting routine visa interviews due to global pandemic conditions, it may change in the future. Please check with the U.S. consulate/embassy in your province for the most accurate, up-to-date information.
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