Applying for a Visa

If you have received an I-20 or DS-2019 from WKU, you should apply for an F-1 or J-1 visa. Please see below for the four steps to follow when applying for a visa.

If you are a Canadian citizen with a valid passport, you do not need to apply for a visa. However, you do need to pay the SEVIS fee before arriving at the port of entry.

Step 1: Pay the SEVIS Fee

You will need to show confirmation of SEVIS fee payment when you arrive for your visa interview so this is the first step you must complete.

Learn about the SEVIS Fee and how to pay it and obtain the payment receipt.

Step 2: Schedule a Visa Appointment at the U.S. Embassy in Your Home Country

Contact the U.S. embassy/consulate nearest you as soon as possible to set up an appointment. This is important because the wait time for an appointment and for visa issuance varies. To see how long this process takes in your country, read the U.S. Department of State's visa wait time information.

It’s best to apply in your home country. If you are not sure which embassy/consulate you should contact, see this list of U.S. embassies.

Step 3: Prepare the Documentation

When you arrive for your visa appointment, you will be asked to present several documents including:

I-20/DS-2019
Valid Passport
A SEVIS payment confirmation receipt
Visa application forms
Current financial documentation that lists the sources and amounts of financial support. They must match the information listed on your I-20/DS-2019

Step 4: Prepare for the Visa Interview

Since you are applying for a nonimmigrant visa, you need to prove to the consular officer that you do not intend to immigrate to the United States. In other words, you need to show him or her that you have definite plans to return home after your studies in the U.S.

For more information and tips, please see U.S. Homeland Security's Study in the States website and read NAFSA's Ten Points to Remember.