Student Visas for the USA

1. U.S. Consulate General Curaçao presents: Student Visas for the USA Visa Information: EducationUSA.state.gov Curacao.USconsulate.gov Appointments & Requirements: 001-602-567-9833

2. Consulate General Curaçao presents! • English as a Second Language (ESL) • Summer • Undergraduate • Graduate • 2-year / Community Colleges • Vocational / Career • Boarding Schools / Pre-University

3. Types of Student Visas • F – Academic Students • M – Nonacademic Students • J – Exchange Visitors

4. How to Make an Appointment for an Interview • Phone-in system: • Call: 001-602-567-9833 • Call costs: $19, Visa or MasterCard • Appointment and info • Monday-Friday, 8:00am-6:00pm • Online system: • Website: https://www.usvisa-info.com/en/selfservice • Costs: $10, Visa or MasterCard • Appointment and info • 24/7

5. The Interview • Who needs an interview? • All F1, M1and J1 applicants • Dependents age 14-79 • What is involved? • Document review • Inkless fingerprints • Interview

6. What do you need to have? • All applicants for a student visa must provide: • The confirmation page of the DS-160 (only 1 page w/barcode); • A form I-20 or DS-2019 (your school acceptance); • Proof of payment of SEVIS fee (the I-901 form); • One 5x5 cm photograph with white background; • Visa application fee of $140.

7. What do you need to have? • Financial evidence that shows you or your sponsor have sufficient funds to cover your tuition and living expenses; • proof of current/past employment or studies (transcripts); • any additional supporting documents;

8. Additional fee for residents of islands other than Curaçao Applicants are required to EITHER submit a pre-paid airway bill or account number from a courier service for the delivery OR to authorize someone to pick up the item on behalf of the holder/owner.  To authorize an individual other than the holder/owner of the item to pick it up, the individual must present the receipt for the service OR a letter signed by the holder/owner specifying the name of the individual retrieving the item. 

9. Application Form All applicants are required to fill out the DS-160 and bring the confirmation page to the interview. The form is available on: https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/ or http://curacao.usconsulate.gov Under visa section.

10. Acceptance Letter ( Valid I-20)

11. How to Qualify for a Student Visa • Demonstrate that you are qualified to pursue the • course of study indicated on the I-20/DS-2019 • Form; • Demonstrate you intend to depart the U.S. following your studies, i.e. you have no intention of abandoning your residence here; • Show sufficient financial resources to pay for education and living expenses.

12. Q: What Rules Apply to my Student Visa? You must: 1.Apply no more than 120 days prior to the start date as shown on your I-20 (F or M visas); 2.Arrive in the United States no more than 30 days prior to the start of your studies as shown on your I-20 (F or M visas) or DS 2019 (J visas); 3.Be in continuous full-time status as a student; 4.Depart the United States no more than 30 days (M or J visas) or 60 days (for F visas) after completion of study.

13. Q: Can I work on my student visa? F-1 students may work part time on campus, off campus employment may be authorized after first year. M-1 students may not work on or off campus. YOU MUST ALWAYS BE A FULL TIME STUDENT PRACTICAL TRAINING MAY BE AUTHORIZED AS PART OF YOUR STUDY PROGRAM.

14. Q: Can you hold a B visa and an F/M/J visa at the same time? Yes! • As long as you remain a valid status • holder you can hold both types of visas • at the same time. • You should state the purpose • of your trip at the port of entry • using the proper visa.

15. Q: When am I Required to Get a New Student Visa? • You need to renew your student visa if: • You need to return to the U.S. and your student visa has expired OR • You leave the U.S. but then decide to transfer to another school upon returning to the U.S. OR • You receive a new I-20 with a different SEVIS number • ALWAYS CHECK WITH YOUR SCHOOL BEFORE DEPARTING THE U.S.

16. “Do’s and Don’ts” for Successful Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants • Do remember that honesty is the best policy. • Do learn more about the visa application process at educationusa.state.gov • Do use the DS-160 online visa application • Do complete your forms fully and accurately, sign them where necessary.

17. “Do’s and Don’ts” for Successful Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants (cont.) • Do review your application for accuracy if someone prepared it for you. • Don’t rely on friends, travel agents & visa brokers for info about visas. • Do explain your travel plans and tell us about yourself at the interview. • Don’t plan to use your visa for a purpose other than its intended purpose.

18. “Do’s and Don’ts” for Successful Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants (cont.) • Don’t arrive at the Consulate more than 30 minutes before your appointment. • Do cooperate with the interviewing officer. • Don’t wait until the last minute to apply for a visa. • Do relax. Don’t be nervous.

19. U.S. Consulate General Curaçao Visa Waiver Program: The Visa Waiver Program does not eliminate the need for student (F, M and J) visas, OR Prospective Student Visas.

20. U.S. Consulate General Curaçao THE GOOD NEWS: Student visas are handled at the Consulate in Curaçao. Student visa applicants with a Dutch passport no longer need to travel to Embassy Caracas. Just make an appointment! Call 001-602-567-9833.

21. U.S. Consulate General Curaçao http://www.educationusa.info/5_steps_to_study/

22. U.S. Consulate General Curaçao Thank You Questions?