Student Visa

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FAQ 

Important Notice

If you previously received a U.S. nonimmigrant visa, you likely do not need to appear at AIT to obtain a student visa. See additional instructions here on eligibility and how to apply by drop-off. Drop-off applications are accepted up to 365 days prior to your program start date. Drop-off applications are generally processed and returned within ten business days of receipt. Ensure your photo was not used on a prior application and meets requirements here

Students:  Apply for a visa as soon as you receive your I-20 form from your school. If you have your I-20 form, you may apply as early as one year in advance of your program start date. For all students, we recommend applying more than three months prior to your intended departure from Taiwan. Contact your school if you still do not have your I-20 form three months before your intended departure.

Overview

The United States welcomes foreign citizens who come to the United States to study. Before applying for a visa, all student visa applicants are required to be accepted and approved by their school or program. Once accepted, educational institutions will provide each applicant the necessary approval documentation to be submitted when applying for a student visa.

Visa Descriptions and Qualifications

F-1 Visa

This is the most common type of student visa. If you wish to engage in academic studies in the United States at an approved school, such as an accredited U.S. college or university, private secondary school, or approved English language program then you need an F-1 visa. You will also need an F-1 visa if your course of study is more than 18 hours a week.

M-1 Visa

If you plan engage in non-academic or vocational study or training at a U.S. institution then you need an M-1 visa.

More information about each of these visas and opportunities for studying in the United States can be found at the Education USA website.

SEVIS and SEVIS Fees

After the SEVP-approved school accepts your enrollment, you will be registered for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).  SEVIS is a web-based system that monitors schools and programs, students, exchange visitors, and their dependents throughout the duration of approved participation within the U.S. education system.  The SEVP-approved school will issue you a Form I-20.  Please double check your I-20 for accuracy. .  Contact your Designated School Official if you see an error.  Any errors must be corrected before you drop off your application or interview.  

All F-1, M-1 and most J-1 applicants must pay a separate I-901 SEVIS fee at www.fmjfee.com.  Applicants cannot be interviewed for a student visa until the SEVIS fee has been paid.  This fee is in addition to the visa application fee. For nonimmigrant students with Form I-20, the SEVIS fee is US$350. For most exchange visitors with Form DS-2019, the SEVIS fee is US$220. Payment cannot be made at the American Institute in Taiwan. Instructions for paying the SEVIS fee can be found here 

SEVIS Fee Exception for dependents and U.S. Government J sponsored Programs

J applicants participating in a U.S. Government sponsored program (programs whose codes begin with G-1, G-2, G-3, G-7) are not required to pay the SEVIS fee. 

Dependents of F, J or M visa applicants and certain continuing students or exchange visitors do not have to pay the SEVIS fee.   

See SEVIS fee FAQs for more information. 

Program Start Date

365-day rule: F and M visas can be issued to new students up to 365 days prior to their program start dates indicated on their I-20 forms.  Please do not wait until the last minute to apply for your visa.  Visas cannot be issued to new students who will arrive after their program start dates.

30-day rule: New students must arrive in the U.S. within 30 days prior to their program start dates.  New students on F or M visas are not permitted to enter the United States earlier than 30 days before the start date of their program..  Please consider this date carefully when making your travel plans to the United States.  If your program start date specified on the I-20 is already past or you will be unable to meet that date, you must request your school to change the program start date in the SEVIS system before a visa can be issued.  

Please note that the 365-day and 30-day rules do not apply to continuing students.  Continuing students may apply for a new visa at any time, as long as they have been maintaining status in the United States and their SEVIS records are current.  Continuing students may also enter the U.S. at any time before their classes/programs start.

How to Apply

Please follow the below steps to submit your application at AIT.  Watch this video to learn more about the process.  (best view in Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge) 

Step 1: Double check your I-20 for accuracy 

Contact your Designated School Official if you see an error.  Any errors must be corrected before your interview.

Step 2: Complete the Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-160) form

Anytime you make a new application, you must complete a new DS-160. Please print out and bring your DS-160 confirmation to your interview.  Please make sure the printed bar codes are clear.  Incomplete, incorrect, or unclear barcodes will NOT be accepted and will result in cancellation of your appointment.  Visit the DS-160 web page for more information about the DS-160. 

Step 3: Create your profile in the registration system, choose your passport delivery method, and pay the visa feeThis web page has more information about paying this fee.  Pay the SEVIS fee if required. 

Step 4: Schedule an interview

Please note: You may not need to go for an interview in person. Please follow the instructions found here to see if you qualify for Drop-off service (Interview Waiver). 

If you need an interview: You can log in to your profile to schedule your interview after your visa fee payment receipt has been activated. For more information about payment options and receipt activation times, click here

Step 5: Appear at AIT for an interview

Visit the American Institute in Taiwan on the date and time of your visa interview.  You must bring all the required documents. Applications without all of these items will not be accepted. 

Access to AIT Consular Section waiting room is limited to the following:

  • Applicants;
  • Parents or legal guardians of applicants under 18 years old;
  • Aides of disabled applicants

Appointment holders must have an appointment confirmation page and may not be admitted more than 10 minutes before and after their appointment time.

Please review AIT’s security regulations prior to your visit. Personal Electronic Devices (PEDs) are not allowed inside the Consular waiting room. 

Step 6: Receive your documents

You can check your visa application status here.  If your visa application is approved, your passport and visa will be returned to you via courier service.  You can also track the status of your passport delivery using your passport number or the courier tracking number

Required Documents

To apply for an F or M visa, you must submit the following: 

  • A Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-160) Form confirmation page for each applicant
  • A printout of your appointment confirmation page. 
  • Unexpired passport.
    • Taiwan passport holders and passport holders from certain countriesmay enter the United States with passports that will expire in less than 6 months.  However, you will not be permitted to remain in the U.S. beyond the expiration of your passport. Most visa applicants must have a passport valid for at least 6 months past the date of their anticipated departure from the United States. 
  • All previous passports.  If you have reported for passport lost, please also provide the police report.
  • One color photograph (5cmx5cm) taken within the last six months and not used on a previous U.S. visa, with a white or off-white background.
    • Eyeglasses are not allowed. If using the photo from your passport, ensure it was taken within the last six months. See detailed photo requirements here.
  • A receipt showing payment of your non-refundable nonimmigrant visa application processing fee paid in local currency.
  • An approved Form I-20 from your U.S. school or program.
  • If participating in OPT, your Employment Authorization Card or a Form I-797 showing your pending application for an OPT program.
  • If a SEVIS fee payment is required, your I-901 SEVIS Fee receipt.
  • If a dependent (spouse or child) of a student applicant, you must include:
    • Form I-20 issued by the principal applicant’s school for each dependent
    • Proof of the student's relationship to his or her spouse and/or child (e.g., marriage and birth certificates, household registration record with detailed notes)
    • If applying separately from the principal applicant, a copy of the student visa holder's passport and visa.
  • If you are not a Taiwan passport holder, your Taiwan Alien Resident Certificate or your Taiwan visa information. Additionally, depending on your nationality, you may need to pay an additional visa issuance reciprocity fee.
    • The Department of State's websitecan help you find the fee amount, if applicable. AIT advises customers to bring cash, as our system does not always accommodate credit card transactions.
  • If you have legally changed your name, please bring your most recent Taiwan Household Registration Record (with detailed notes).
  • If you have been arrested or convicted for any offense or crime, please bring the police record or court documents including an English translation, if applicable.  Please also provide a Taiwan Police Criminal Record Certificate regardless of where you were arrested or convicted.

Information for Dependents

Spouses and/or unmarried children under the age of 21 who wish to accompany or join the principal visa holder in the United States for the duration of his or her stay may apply for F-2 or M-2 visas. There is no derivative visa for the parents of F or M holders. 

Family members who do not intend to reside in the United States with the principal visa holder, but wish to visit for vacations only, may be eligible to apply for visitor (B-2) visas. 

Spouses and dependents may not work in the United States on a derivative F or M visa. If your spouse/child seeks employment, the spouse/child must obtain the appropriate work visa. 

Your minor children are permitted to attend school in the United States while accompanying you.

Consular officers will adjudicate visa applications that are based on a same-sex marriage in the same way that we adjudicate applications for opposite gender spouses. 

OPT, Transfers, Breaks in Studies, and Public Schools

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

F-1 visa holders may be eligible for up to 12 months of optional practical training following completion of all course requirements for graduation (not including thesis or equivalent), or after completion of all requirements. OPT is separate from a student's academic work, and time for OPT will not normally be reflected during the student's academic program or in the completed study date. Students applying for an F visa to do OPT may present an I-20 with an original end of study date that may have passed. However, these I-20s must be annotated by the designated school official to reflect approval of an OPT program that extends beyond the end of the regular period of study. In addition, the student must have proof that USCIS has approved their practical training program or that an application is pending, either in the form of an approved Employment Authorization Card or a Form I-797 indicating that s/he has a pending application for an OPT program.

Transfer Students

A student temporarily abroad who intends to return to study at a United States institution other than the one for which the original visa was issued may seek admission with the original visa, if still valid, and the Form I-20 from the new school. If the student wishes to apply for a new visa, however, they must present proof that the transfer has been completed and the student’s SEVIS record is in “initial” or “active” status at the new school.  See SEVIS fee FAQs to determine if a new SEVIS fee is needed.

Validity of Student Visas After a Break in Studies

Current student visa holders who are outside the United States should consult with their Designated School Officials. More information is available on the SEVP website under Do Students Returning from Temporary Absences Need New Visas? 

Useful links

U.S. Public Schools (K-12 and Adult Education)

U.S. law does not permit foreign students to attend public elementary school (kindergarten to 8th grade) or a publicly funded adult education program. Hence, F-1 visas cannot be issued for study at such schools.

An F-1 visa can be issued for attendance at a public secondary school (grades 9 to 12), but the student is limited to a maximum of 12 months at the school. The school must also indicate on the Form I-20 that the student has paid the unsubsidized cost of the education and the amount submitted by the student for that purpose.

For more information about F-1 legal requirements, visit the Department of State website.
Note: Holders of A, E, F-2, G, H-4, J-2, L-2, M-2 or other derivative nonimmigrant visas may enroll in public elementary and secondary schools.

Student Assistance, Finding a U.S. School

Students who hope to enroll in a U.S.  educational institution are encouraged to contact and visit https://educationusa.state.gov/