Non-Immigrant Visas

F1/M1 Student Visa

November 2009

A Student (F or M) Visa is to be used by individuals seeking to attend school, university, or other long-term educational training in the United States.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR THE VISA TO BE USED BY STUDENT IN THE U.S.

F1/M1 student visas do not require an appointment, but must complete the Electronic Form Application DS-156. Students may apply Monday-Wednesday and Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.  Bank visa payment of 131.00 must be made at Banco General.

Applicants must present Form I-20 when they enter the Embassy on the day of their appointment. At the interview, Student Visa applicants must present:

• Form I-20A (complete the required pages) or I-20M, issued by the educational institution,

• Forms DS-156, and DS-158.  In addition, male applicants between ages 16-45 must complete form DS-157.

• Personal financial information (or parents' information if dependent on them), which shows sufficient current liquidity to pay for one year of studies, as indicated on the I-20

• Evidence of medical insurance valid in the United States.

• Upon approval a reciprocity fee of $119.00 will be charged. Fee to be paid with the consular cashier at the U.S. Embassy.

TAKING FAMILY MEMBERS AS DERIVATIVES

The Student Visa (F) category does allow applicants to take their immediate family members (spouse and children only) as derivatives. These derivatives should apply for the F-2 visa, and must obtain their own I-20 forms.

SEVIS REGISTRATION

SEVIS (the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) is a system that tracks F and M nonimmigrant visa participants from the time they receive their documentation until they graduate/leave school or conclude/leave program. In order to obtain an F or M nonimmigrant visa, an alien must be entered into SEVIS. The prospective school enters the student into this system. A student visa will not be issued without this registration

NOTICE TO FIRST YEAR STUDENT RECIPIENTS OF A STUDENT VISA

First time students may not apply for the student visa more than 120 days prior to the beginning of their program date, or start date, as given on Form I-20. The United States Department of Homeland Security regulations state that new holders of F or M nonimmigrant visas will not be admitted to the United States until a date thirty days or less prior to the beginning of your program date, or start date, as given on your Form I-20. For example, if your program start date is September 15, you may not enter the U.S. prior to August 15. Please note: if you also have a valid B1/B2 tourist visa, you may not use that visa to enter the U.S. more than thirty days before the program start date.

For more information, please send an e-mail inquiry to Panama-visas@state.gov