Applying for a U.S. Visa

A nonimmigrant visa allows you to travel to the United States for a temporary purpose such as study or exchange. The visa is issued by the U.S. Department of State and is placed in your passport.

While a visa allows you to request entry to the United States at a U.S. port of entry, a visa does not guarantee admission. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers make the final decision about whether you may enter the country.

When traveling to the United States, you must carry:

• A valid passport
• Your Form I-20, Form DS-2019, or Form I-797 Approval Notice
• Your valid visa, if required

For general information about student and exchange visitor visas, visit the U.S. Department of State website.

Citizens of Canada or Bermuda

If you are a citizen of Canada or Bermuda, you do not need a U.S. visa to enter the United States. However, you must still:

• Pay the SEVIS fee
• Present your Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 at the port of entry.

Using a Visa From a Previous SEVIS Record

If you have a valid visa in your passport that is linked to a previous SEVIS record, you may be able to use it with your new immigration document.

Before traveling, contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your home country to confirm whether your visa can be used.

Please note that U.S. Customs and Border Protection makes the final decision about admission to the United States.

Where to Apply for a Visa

You must apply for a U.S. visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate outside the United States.

In most cases, you should apply in:

• Your country of citizenship, or
• Your country of permanent residence

If you apply in your country of residence, you must show proof of residency.

Third-Country Visa Applications

As of September 2025, most applicants must apply for a visa in their home country or country of residence.

Applying for a visa in another country (called a third-country national application) is only permitted if the United States does not provide routine visa services in your home country.

The U.S. Department of State provides a list of alternative visa processing locations for applicants affected by this policy.

When to Apply for a Visa

Most visa applicants must attend an in-person visa interview.

You should schedule your appointment as early as possible, as wait times may vary by embassy or consulate.

Students applying for:

• F-1 or F-2 visas may receive a visa up to 365 days before the program start date listed on the Form I-20.
• J-1 or J-2 visas may receive a visa at any time before the program start date.

Visa processing times may vary due to:

• Required security checks
• Visa interview scheduling
• Additional review for certain fields of study

If your program involves sensitive or specialized research, you may wish to bring a letter from your professor explaining your research in simple language.

Your visa application may also receive additional review if you:

• Previously violated immigration status
• Applied for U.S. permanent residence
• Have a criminal record

Visa Application Process

You must follow several steps to apply for a U.S. visa.

1. Complete the Online Visa Application (Form DS-160)

You must complete the DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application on the U.S. Department of State website.

After you submit the DS-160, save and print the DS-160 confirmation page. You will need this confirmation page when scheduling your visa interview and when attending your appointment at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Information You Will Provide

When completing the DS-160, you will be asked to:

• Upload a passport-style photograph that meets official requirements
• Provide a U.S. point of contact
• Provide the address where you will stay in the United States

If You Do Not Have This Information Yet

If you do not yet have a U.S. contact person, you may list the DSO or ARO who issued your Form I-20 or DS-2019.

If you do not yet know your U.S. address, you may temporarily use the Visa and Immigration Services office address:

Important

After submitting the DS-160, print the confirmation page. You must bring it to your visa interview.

2. Pay the Visa Application Fee (MRV Fee)

You must pay the non-refundable Visa Application (MRV) Fee as part of the visa application process.

Some applicants may also be required to pay a Visa Reciprocity Fee when the visa is issued.

3. Pay the SEVIS Fee

Most F-1 and J-1 students must pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee before attending the visa interview.

If you previously paid the SEVIS fee, review the SEVIS I-901 Fee FAQ to determine whether you must pay it again.

Documents to Bring to Your Visa Interview

You should bring the following documents to your visa interview:

• A valid passport (valid at least six months beyond your intended U.S. entry date)
• Form I-20, DS-2019, or I-797 Approval Notice
• DS-160 confirmation page
• A passport-style photograph (Review Photograph Requirements)
• Visa application fee receipt
• Visa reciprocity fee receipt, if required
• SEVIS fee receipt (Form I-901), if applicable
• Academic transcripts and diplomas
• Standardized test score reports (TOEFL, GRE, GMAT, SAT, etc.)
• Financial documents showing sufficient funding for your studies
• Documents showing ties to your home country (to demonstrate nonimmigrant intent)
• Any additional documents required by the embassy or consulate

Renewing Your Visa

You may remain in the United States with an expired visa as long as you maintain valid immigration status.

However, if you travel outside the United States, you must obtain a new visa before returning.

You must apply for the new visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your home country or country of residence.

When renewing your visa, you should bring:

• All required visa application documents
• Your Stony Brook transcripts
• An Enrollment Verification Certificate from SOLAR

If you have been outside the United States for more than five months, you may need to pay the SEVIS fee again.

Helpful Resources

When you arrive at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate for your visa interview, make sure you bring all required documents, including the documents listed above and your I-901 SEVIS fee payment receipt.

Being well prepared can help your interview go smoothly.

You may find the following resources helpful as you prepare:

• NAFSA: Association of International Educators – 10 Points to Remember When Applying for a Student Visa provides helpful tips for the visa application and interview process.
• Video resources from Argo Visa and ZF Visa, available on YouTube. These companies are run by former consular officers who share general guidance about the DS-160, visa interviews, and related topics.

Please note that Visa and Immigration Services does not endorse any specific private service or resource. These materials are shared only as optional references.

How to Read Your U.S. Visa

If your visa is approved, the visa will be placed in your passport.

Your visa will show:

• the expiration date, and
• the number of entries permitted.

If the visa lists “M” under the number of entries, this means multiple entries are allowed. You may use the visa to travel to the United States multiple times until it expires, as long as you maintain your student status.

Visa Processing Delays

We recognizes that any delay in the processing of your visa is extremely frustrating. Unfortunately, recent federal immigration policy changes have resulted in many Stony Brook international students, faculty, and visiting scholars waiting much longer than in the past to receive visas.

Some applications require administrative processing, which allows U.S. government agencies to conduct additional security reviews.

The U.S. Department of State aims to complete administrative processing within 30 days, but some cases take longer.

Once administrative processing begins, it cannot be expedited or stopped until the review is complete.

If a case remains pending for more than 180 days, Stony Brook University Government Relations may assist in connecting with congressional liaisons. However, the university cannot expedite the visa process.