Student Visas (F and M visas)

Student visa applicants must make an appointment for an interview. The applicants must present the documents described in the "Basic documents and photographs" as well as the form I-20 completed and certified by the American school or university and signed by the applicant, a letter of acceptance from the school, plus evidence that applicant has passed the TOEFL exam (if required) and documentation regarding previous schooling. If the applicant is a returning student, he/she must also present a recent transcript.

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Please note that the institution of higher education or other educational institution, which have issued the I-20 form, must provide the State Department with electronic evidence of the alien's acceptance at that institution before an F or M visa can be issued. The data contained in the I-20 form must be entered to the State Department SEVIS database.

SEVIS is a new system for tracking students while they are in the U.S. studying. Students must pay an additional fee to have their information placed in the SEVIS database. There are two ways they can do this:
- Beginning on November 1, 2004, nonimmigrant students and exchange visitors (F-1, M-1, J-1 visas) will be able to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee locally via the use of the Western Union Quick Pay service. The Western Union receipt can be used at the visa interview to prove that the payment was made. In order to pay the fee through Western Union, the "Quick Pay" form should be used. It can be downloaded from the SEVIS website at www.ice.gov/sevis
- If they have a credit card, they can pay directly on the SEVIS website at www.fmjfee.com

Student visa applicants must demonstrate knowledge of English and prove that there are sufficient funds available to finance their studies in the U.S. The applicants must also prove that they have strong ties to their country of residence and intend to return after the completion of their studies.

Spouses and unmarried minor children of students are eligible for F2 visas and must present a recent marriage and/or birth certificate at the time of the interview. They must also prove that they have sufficient means of support for the duration of stay as well as the intention to return.

Student visa applicants may apply for a visa up to 90 days prior to the start of their program, but holders of student visas may only enter the U.S. no earlier than 30 days before the start of their program (an immigration inspector may deny you entry into the United States if you use the visa earlier than this thirty day period) and stay up to 60 days after its termination.

For more information or advice about studying in the U.S., call or visit the new International Academic Center in Belgrade at Majke Jevrosima 18/II, tel. 011/334-5227, e-mail office@iacbg.org, or see their website www.iacbg.org

Approved visas require one day for processing. Visa recipients can pick up their passport with visa at 16:00 the next business day after the day of their interview, unless otherwise notified.

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