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Persons wishing to attend academic institutions or vocational and recognized nonacademic institutions should apply for student visas. You cannot attend school full-time on a B-2 (tourist) visa or on the Visa Waiver Program.

F-1 (Academic) Visa: For students wishing to attend a university, secondary school, or language institute.

M-1 (Non-academic) Visa: For students wishing to attend a vocational or other recognized nonacademic institution.

To obtain a student visa, you must demonstrate:

  • Acceptance as a full-time student at a US Government-approved institution which will issue a SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) compliant Form I-20.
  • The form I-20 should have a bar code on the right-hand side and be signed by the school official. This form is required to receive a student visa. The I-20 is not a visa.
  • If you arrive in the US with the I-20, but no student visa, you will not be allowed to enter the US.
  • Student visa applicants need to pay the visa application fee as well as the SEVIS fee. You must pay both fees before applying for a visa.
  • Adequate academic preparation, indicated by school transcripts, for the studies you plan to undertake
  • Adequate English language skills or evidence that the school is aware of this and will provide language training
  • Sufficient funds for the first year, as evidenced by bank statements or other financial documents
  • Strong ties to the country in which you are applying for the visa and indications that you will leave the United States upon completion of your studies 

    • These factors must be established to the satisfaction of the consular officer. Since cases will vary, there is no set list of documents to submit. 

Science and Technology Course of Study: Applicants going to the U.S. for science or technology-related study must bring additional documents to the interview.

  • Complete CV or resume
  • Complete list of publications, if applicable
  • Letter of acceptance/invitation from the school

Optional Practical Training (OPT): Applicants going to the U.S. for Optional Practical Training must also bring the original Employment Authorization card together with your endorsed I-20 form.

Dependents: Spouses and/or children under the age of 21 need their own I-20 to accompany the primary applicant. The application procedure is the same. Required documents for visa application of dependent(s) can be found on Prepare Application Documents (Check list) page.

Application Procedures: For information on applying for this visa, please see the application checklist.

Due to new security regulations, some applications may require additional clearance and longer processing. Since the application process cannot be accelerated, please apply well in advance of your travel date, and do not purchase plane tickets until you have received your visa. Applicants should refrain from calling the Embassy to inquire about the status of their application. Visa applicants should never assume their application will be automatically approved.

Notice

  • You should have your I-20 when you come to your visa interview appointment. We cannot issue you a visa until you submit your I-20. Please note, however, that if your program starting date is a month or less away, you may come to your appointment without your I-20 and mail it to us as soon as it arrives. All requests from F/M/J applicants are considered emergencies and these applicants should request emergency appointments if they risk missing their starting date for their school or program and if the appoinments are fully booked on our system. Please see Emergency Appointment page for detals. 
    NOTE: If you are traveling to the United States on F, M, or J visas, the United States Department of Homeland Security will not admit you more than thirty days before the start date for your program, as given on your Form I-20 (for F or M visas) or DS-2019 (for J visas). Please consider that date carefully when making your travel plans.

  • Are you a returning student who needs to renew your visa? Please see Visa Renewal page!

Visa Application Steps

Contact Information

  • (Fee-Based)

    Live Operator
    Call 00-5-31-13-1353 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., except Japanese and U.S. holidays. Dial the number exactly as shown here. Have credit card ready. See details.

    E-mail Service
    We also offer a fee-based e-mail inquiry service. Please click here.