Documents Required to Apply for an F-1 Visa at the U.S. Consulate

If your visa will be expired, you are required to renew your visa while abroad.  To apply for a visa, find the appropriate U.S. embassy/consulate you will apply for the visa. (It is highly recommended that you apply for your F-1 visa in your home country.)  On the website, go to the section for “visas” and find the “student visa” or “non-immigrant visa” section.  Detailed instructions about the application process and visa renewals for non-immigrant visas, including required documents, will be listed there.

Also, be aware that the U.S. Department of State requires that nonimmigrant visa applicants provide their username for all social media accounts that have been used within the last five years at the time of application for the visa.

OIS wants to highlight some of the required documents for visa applications:

• Valid I-20 form with travel signature from your international advisor on the third page signed within the year prior to your expected date of reentry (If you are a former student currently in the U.S. on Optional Practical Training, the travel signature on the third page must be signed within the six months prior to your reentry date.)
• Valid financial documents that match the financial information listed on I-20 form
• Valid passport (See above for details on how long the passport must be valid.)
• Official academic transcripts and Enrollment Verification letter from the Registrar’s Office. (To request Enrollment Verification Letter, log into My Student Center, click Academic Records Tile>Helpful Links>View Enrollment Verification. This will take you directly to the National Student Clearinghouse Student Self-Service Site. Once on the NSC website, enter all required login information, then select the type of verification desired (current Enrollment or All Enrollment). A printable .pdf file will be produced. To request official academic transcripts, please follow these instructions from the Registrar’s Office. If you have technical issues, please contact the Registrar’s Office.)
• Doctoral candidates only:
  • Research/study plan outline: sample form for reference
  • Research advisor’s biography, CV, or webpage printout

This is not a comprehensive list of required documents.  The requirements vary depending on country. Please visit the appropriate U.S. consulate/embassy website for a comprehensive list of required documents.  Letters from OIS are no longer required per updated U.S. Department of State. Therefore, OIS will no longer issue letters for visa applications or travel and advises all students to follow the instructions provided above and on the U.S. embassy/consulate’s website.