Non Immigrant Visa Types
Student Visas (F, M)
The Immigration and Nationality Act provides two nonimmigrant visa categories for persons wishing to study in the United States. The "F" visa is for academic studies, and the "M" visa is for nonacademic or vocational studies.
BACKGROUND REQUIREMENTS
Scholastic Preparation
The student visa applicant must have successfully completed a course of study normally required for enrollment and must be sufficiently proficient in English to pursue the intended course of study. English proficiency is not mandatory if a student is coming to participate exclusively in an English language training program or if the school has made special arrangements for English language courses or a course of study in the student's native language.
Financial Resources
Applicants must prove that sufficient funds are or will be available from an identified and reliable financial source to defray all living and school expenses during the entire period of anticipated study in the United States. Specifically, applicants must prove they have enough readily available funds to meet all expenses for the first year of study, and that adequate funds will be available for each subsequent year of study. M-1 student visa applicants must have evidence that sufficient funds are immediately available to pay all tuition and living costs for the entire period of intended stay.
Acceptance Form
An applicant must be accepted for a full course of study by an educational institution approved by the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS). The institution must send the applicant Form I-20A-B, the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status for Academic and Language Students. The nonacademic or vocational institution must send the student Form I-20M-N, the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (M-1) Student Status for Vocational Students. Educational institutions obtain Forms I-20A-B and I-20M-N from the BCIS.
Nonimmigrant Status
Applicants for student visas must establish to the satisfaction of the consular officer that they have binding ties to a residence in a foreign country that they have no intention of abandoning, and that they will depart the United States when they have completed their studies. It is impossible to specify the exact form the evidence should take, since applicants' circumstances vary greatly.
At the interview, consular officers are also looking to see that an applicant has adequate funds to avoid unlawful employment while in the United States, a credible support arrangement for himself while in the United States, specific and realistic travel plans, strong ties abroad, and evidence that the foreign national has support arrangements for his family living in Moldova.
APPLYING FOR A STUDENT VISA
Applicants for student visas should generally apply at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate with jurisdiction over their place of permanent residence. Although visa applicants may apply at any U.S. consular office abroad, it may be more difficult to qualify for the visa outside the country of permanent residence. The U.S. Embassy in Chisinau, Moldova will generally process only those applicants that can prove they have a residence in Moldova. Applicants with questions about applying for a visa may contact the U.S. Embassy in Chisinau at chisinau-ca@state.gov. Applicants for a student visa must bring all documents included on the Supporting Documentation page and also present the following:
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A contact information and work history for nonimmigrant visa applicant form DS-158 form for all F and M visa applicants age 16 and above, including dependents.
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An original valid SEVIS I-20 form for the primary applicant and any dependent family members sent by the school. Dependents applying separately need a copy of the principal applicant's I-20 or DS-2019 and visa along with birth or marriage records showing relation to principal applicant.
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Proof of ability to pay for the study program in the U.S.
- Proof of having paid the SEVIS fee (receipt may be printed out at www.fmjfee.com ).
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School transcripts from all educational institutions attended in the last five years in the U.S., or within the last three years of study elsewhere.
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Applicants following a science or technology-related course of study must bring a complete CV or resume, a complete list of publications (if applicable) and a letter of acceptance/invitation to the school or program.
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If you are applying for Optional Practical Training (OPT) you should bring the original Employment Authorization card together with your I-20 form.
The visa application will normally be adjudicated at the conclusion of the interview. Certain applicants may be required to present additional information, or to await further processing, before their applications can be finally decided. All applicants are encouraged to apply a few weeks to a month before their intended departure, so that enough time is allowed to resolve any potential procedural problems.
U.S. PORT OF ENTRY
Issuance of a visa does not guarantee entry into the United States. The immigration inspector has authority to deny admission. U.S. immigration regulations permit students beginning a new program to enter the U.S. no more than 30 days before their program starts. Also, the immigration inspector, not the consular officer, determines the period for which the bearer of a student visa is authorized to remain in the United States.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Employment
An F-1 student may not accept off-campus employment at any time during the first year of study; however, the DHS may grant permission to accept off-campus employment after one year. F-1 students may accept on-campus employment from the school without DHS permission. Except for temporary employment for practical training, an M-1 student may not accept employment.
Family Members
A spouse and unmarried, minor children may also be classified for a nonimmigrant visa to accompany or follow the student. Family members must meet all visa eligibility requirements, including evidence that they will have sufficient funds for their support, and that they will depart the U.S. when the student's program ends. Spouses and children of students may not accept employment at any time.
Applicants for F or M visas, please note:
A fee for use of the SEVIS system applies to any initial issuance of forms I-20 on or after September 1, 2004. This fee is separate from the application fee paid by all applicants for non-immigrant visas and CANNOT be paid to Moldova-Agroindbank or the consular section cashier. The fee can be paid by credit card online at www.fmjfee.com. In some cases your program sponsor can make payment on your behalf.
Effective October 27, 2008, fees for non-immigrant (F and M) students have increased from USD $100 to USD $200. F and M dependents do not need to pay the fee. F and M applicants who paid their SEVIS fee before October 27, 2008 do not need to pay the higher amount.
Payment of the applicable SEVIS fee must be verified before F and M visas can be issued.