Non-Immigrant Visas

Student Visas

(Student applicants should also see the Visitor Visa Service Page)

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. The student, unless coming to participate exclusively in an English language training program, must either be sufficiently proficient in English to pursue the intended course of study, or the school must have made special arrangements for English language courses or teach the course in the student's native language.

Financial Resources

Applicants must also 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. The 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 coming to the United States to study 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 also establish that they do not intend to immigrate to the U.S. They should therefore bring evidence of strong and compelling ties to Moldova that will cause them to leave the U.S. at the end of their studies.

At the interview, consular officers are 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. If an applicant has any questions as to where he or she should apply for a visa, he may contact the U.S. Embassy in Chisinau at chisinauca@state.gov or +373 2 408 300.

Every applicant over age 14 must sign his or her own application form.

Visa interviews are considered a private affair between the consular officer and the applicant. Third parties, including lawyers, are not allowed to be present at the interview, though exceptions may be granted for those people who need physical assistance.

To apply for a student visa, applicants must present the following:

• a fully completed, signed nonimmigrant visa application form DS-156 for each applicant, including children;
• a supplemental nonimmigrant visa application form DS-157 for men from 16 to 46 years old;
• a contact information and work history for nonimmigrant visa applicant form DS-158 for F, J and M visa applicants
• a passport valid for at least six months after the date on which the applicant plans to depart the U.S.;
• the $131 application fee for each applicant (including children), which is non-refundable. Besides that, in case of visa approval there is a issuance fee applied to F-1 visa classification: 1 entry within 3 months - free of charge; Multiple entry for 6 months - $95; Multiple entry for 12 months - $125;
• a photograph 5X5 cm
• a valid SEVIS I-20 for the primary and any dependent family members sent by the school; and
• proof of ability to pay for the study program in the United States.

Student visa applicants 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.

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. Thus, 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 procedural problems, should any come up.

U.S. PORT OF ENTRY

Applicants should be aware that 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, M, or J visas, please note:

A new fee for use of the SEVIS system applies to any initial issuance of forms I-20 or DS-2019 on or after September 1, 2004. This fee is separate from the machine readable visa fee paid by all applicants for non-immigrant visas and CANNOT be paid to the consular section cashier. The fee can be paid by credit card online at www.fmjfee.com or mailed to the United States. In some cases your program sponsor can make payment on your behalf. Most SEVIS fees are $100. Some shorter J programs have a lower SEVIS fee. Please consult with your program sponsor for more information on payment of the SEVIS fee. Payment of the applicable SEVIS fee must be verified before F, M, or J visas can be issued