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## International Affairs Office, U.S. Department of Education Feb 2008

[[http://www.ed.gov/international/usnei/edlite-index.html]{.underline}](http://www.ed.gov/international/usnei/edlite-index.html)

Visiting the United States:

Studying in the United States

***NOTE: It is critically important that you rely on official
information when planning a visit to the United States. Do not assume
that unofficial web sites, guidebooks, or the experiences relayed by
acquaintances are reliable. Use the advice and links provided below.***

The process for coming to the United States to study consists of several
important steps. It is important that you understand and follow the
process in order to enjoy a successful study visit. You should begin the
process of planning a study visit at least a year ahead of when you want
to enroll in a U.S. school or higher education institution.

###### PRELIMINARY STEPS

First, you need to review the information presented by USNEI and by
[EducationUSA](http://educationusa.state.gov/), the U.S. Department of
State's online guide to visiting the United States for purposes of
study.

Second, you need to contact the [EducationUSA Advising
Center](http://educationusa.state.gov/centers/) nearest to you. The
advising center staff and its reference library can answer many
questions, help you in your planning, and advise you on programs and the
visa process.

[**Countries with Limited or No Visa
Services**](http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/info/info_1302.html)
provides information and guidance for persons wishing to come to the
United States from countries where U.S. visa services are restricted,
suspended, or where there is no U.S. diplomatic presence.

Go to [Financial Assistance for U.S.
Study](http://www.ed.gov/international/usnei/us/financial.doc) for
information and resources that may help you finance a study visit.

###### EXCHANGES

If you are interested in applying for an exchange program sponsored by
the U.S. government, you can find information about the various programs
at [Exchange Programs to the United
States](http://exchanges.state.gov/programs/to_the_us.htm#youth).

[Search Designated Sponsors](http://exchanges.state.gov/jexchanges/) is
a searchable database of approved sponsors for student and professional
exchange visitors participating in U.S. Department of State exchange
programs.

[Council for Standards in International Education and Travel
(CSIET)](http://www.csiet.org/mc/page.do) provides information about
private exchanges for school-age students and school teachers as well as
a directory of exchange programs approved by CSIET.

[Alliance for International Educational and Cultural
Exchange](http://www.alliance-exchange.org/) is an organization of
private exchange providers for students and educators at all levels that
provides information resources and directories of exchange programs.

[Mobility International USA (MIUSA)](http://www.miusa.org/) provides
information for students with disabilities who may be interested in
exchange programs, important resources, and links to exchange programs
with accommodations. The MIUSA National Clearinghouse is sponsored by
the U.S. Department of State.

###### APPLYING TO A SCHOOL OR INSTITUTION

Next, you need to apply to an accredited U.S. school or higher education
institution that is approved for issuing the Form I-17 request for a
U.S. Consulate to issue you a visa. You can locate accredited U.S.
institutions and programs by going to [**U.S. Institutions and
Programs**](http://www.ed.gov/international/usnei/us/edlite-institutions-us.html).

Follow the application requirements set by the admissions office of the
institution in which you are interested. Many institutions have
international admissions offices or personnel as well as specific
information for international students. Virtually all U.S. postsecondary
institutions have websites, as do most schools.

An online list of schools and institutions approved by the U.S.
government to host international students can be found at [**MAP of
SEVIS-Approved
Schools**](http://www.ice.gov/sevis/map/approvedschoolsmap.htm), which
is searchable by state and territory and provides location information.

NOTE: Check to be sure that any approved school or higher education
institution in which you may be interested is also accredited by a
recognized U.S. accrediting agency. Only in this way can you expect
authorities in your home country to recognize your U.S. education.
Schools only approved by state government agencies, but not also
accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, will usually not be
recognized.

Standardized tests, such as the TOEFL and others, may be required both
for admission to an academic institution and for your visa application.
Go to [**Standarized
Tests**](http://www.ed.gov/international/usnei/us/tests.doc) for
descriptions of these tests and links to their websites.

###### RECOGNITION OF EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

U.S. schools and higher education institutions will need to evaluate
your previous education. It is likely that they will request what U.S.
educators call a credential evaluation, which is a statement of the
comparability of your qualifications in the context of the U.S.
education system. These are usually prepared by credential evaluation
services.

Go to [**Recognition of Foreign
Qualifications**](http://www.ed.gov/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html)
for important information about this process.

###### APPLYING FOR A STUDENT OR EXCHANGE VISA

The U.S. Consulate or Consulates designated in your country to process
student visa applications has the sole authority to grant or deny visas
as well as to determine the type of visa you will receive. You should
check with the U.S. Overseas Educational Advising Center, Embassy or
Interests Section to find out which consulates process student and
exchange applications.

*Do not wait to apply for a visa until the last minute. Make this part
of your preliminary planning.*

[International Student FAQs](http://www.ice.gov/sevis/faq.htm) provides
important information and guidance on regulations and policies for
students interested in coming to the United States, including who is
eligible to apply for a visa.

[EducationUSA Visa
Information](http://educationusa.state.gov/usvisa.htm) provides general
information and guidance for student and exchange visas as part of the
process for planning a study visit.

[Visa Information Page](http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html)
provides detailed information about U.S. visas, visa policies, and
related issues.

[Legal Requirements for F-1 (Student) Visa Holders in Public
Schools](http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1269.html)
provides important information on the restrictions governing certain
primary and secondary school students seeking to attend U.S. public
schools.

[Information for Students in Non-Degree Vocational
Programs](http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=4e4496981298d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=48819c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD)
provides useful guidance to postsecondary students planning to enroll in
a U.S. non-degree career or technical education program.

[Exchange (J)
Visas](http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1267.html) provides
detailed information about exchange visas, requirements and eligibility,
and processing.

[Websites of U.S. Embassies and Consulates](http://usembassy.state.gov/)
provides links to all U.S. embassies and consulates around the world.
The visa section of each U.S. embassy provides important information for
student visa applicants from that country, and individual consulates
provide specific information relevant to that consulate.

[SEVIS Home Page](http://www.ice.gov/sevis/index.htm) provides detailed
information about the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System
(SEVIS), which is a background checking system that you will be required
to use and for which a fee will be charged by the consulate.

[Visa Wait Times
Database](http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/wait/tempvisitors_wait.php)
allows you to check on the current average time, in days, that visa
processing takes at each U.S. Consulate.

###### ENTERING THE UNITED STATES AND WHILE YOU ARE HERE

Your primary sources of information and advice while you are in the
United States will be the international student advisor at your school
or higher education institution, international student organizations,
and any U.S. family you may be staying with or your relatives in the
United States. Nevertheless, there are important sources of information
and guidance that you need to know about that will help to plan your
visit, make it successful, and reduce the anxiety of living in a new and
sometimes quite different environment.

[International Students and Exchange
Visitors](http://www.ice.gov/sevis/students/index.htm) provides detailed
information, in several languages, about what will happen as you enter
the United States and how to ensure that your visa status is maintained
while you are here. It also provides important information about
regulations concerning working while you are a student, emergency
situations, and other matters.

[Visiting the United States
FAQs](http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=48819c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=48819c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD)
provides answers to common questions concerning issues such as
dependents, sponsorship, waivers, changing your visa status, extending
your stay in the United States, replacing lost immigration forms, and
other legal matters affecting students.

[Living in the United States](http://educationusa.state.gov/life.htm)
provides important information on practical matters such as health
insurance, housing, money and banking, telecommunications, safety and
law enforcement, dependents who might accompany you, adjusting to U.S.
culture and society, and other issues.

See also: [Working in the United
States](http://www.ed.gov/international/usnei/us/work.doc)

[**Recognition of Foreign
Qualifications**](http://www.ed.gov/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html)

######### [Return to the USNEI Home Page](http://www.ed.gov/international/usnei/edlite-index.html)