Once you are accepted to Mahanaim, the Department of International Affairs will contact you in regards to processing your I-20.

You are required to provide proof of financial support to cover your expenses in full for the first year and demonstrate the ability to cover your expenses for the entire length of your program. Once your financial paperwork is approved, we will send you Form I-20.

Upon receiving the I-20, you must pay the “SEVIS I-901” fee. This fee must be paid prior to making the student visa appointment. Please do not forget to bring your "SEVIS I-901" fee payment receipt to your student visa appointment. You can pay the fee online at https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/index.html. Once this step is completed, you can set up an appointment to secure an M-1 non-immigrant visa interview at the United States Embassy or Consulate in your home country.

After paying the SEVIS I-901 fee, to set up the appointment, you will need to complete the DS-160 online, nonimmigrant visa application. The DS-160 is submitted electronically to the Department of State via the internet (ceac.state.gov). The Consular office uses the information entered on the DS-160 to process the visa application and schedule a personal interview. Once you submit Form DS-160, you can make an appointment for your visa interview.

There are certain documents you absolutely must bring with you to your student visa interview.  If you don’t bring these, you may fail your interview!

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Required documents for your student visa interview include:

Gather and prepare the following required documents before your visa interview:

• A valid passport; must be valid for at least 6 months after you plan to enter the USA

• Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 confirmation page.

• Receipt of your application payment, if you are required to pay before your interview.

• Receipt of your I-901 SEVIS fee payment

• Photo – You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. If the photo upload fails, you must bring one printed photo in the format explained in the Photograph Requirements.

• Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, Form 1-20 (issued by the school where you will enroll and signed by you).

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Additional Documentation May Be Required

A consular officer will interview you to determine your qualifications for a student visa and may request additional documents, such as evidence of:

• Your academic preparation, such as:

• Transcripts, diplomas, degrees, or certificates from schools you attended; and

• Standardized test scores required by your U.S. school;

• Your intent to depart the United States upon completion of the course of study; and

• How you will pay all educational, living and travel costs.

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Helpful Information

• Education in the USA

• Study in the States

• Student Visas

• Visa Application Status Check

• Automated I-94 arrival/departure process

• US-Consulate

A consular officer will interview you to determine whether you are qualified to receive a student visa. You must establish that you meet the requirements under U.S. law to receive a visa.

Ink-free, digital fingerprint scans are taken as part of the application process. They are usually taken during your interview, but this varies based on location.

After your visa interview, the consular officer may determine that your application requires further administrative processing.  The consular officer will inform you if this is required.

After the visa is approved, you may need to pay a visa issuance fee (if applicable to your nationality) and make arrangements for the return of the passport and visa to you.  Review the visa processing times to learn more.

There is no time limit on how soon you can apply for the student visa (although the visa cannot be granted more than 120 days prior to the start date on your I-20 or DS-2019). The sooner you apply the better. Consular offices get extremely busy during the late summer months (June, July, August). However, you will not be allowed to enter the United States more than 30 days prior to the start date on your Certificate of Eligibility, Form I-20.

At the airport or seaport, travel documents such as your passport and visa will be reviewed. A U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer will ask specific questions regarding your status in the U.S. As a part of enhanced procedures, you will have two fingerprints scanned by an inkless device. You will also have a digital photo taken. All of the data is used to assist border inspectors in determining whether or not to admit you to the U.S. Careful planning and preparation by students and exchange visitors can ensure that your arrival in the U.S. is smooth.

Report to the Department of International Affairs within 5-6 days of U.S. arrival to validate M-1 Non-Immigrant Status.

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This is very important as we will need to activate your record.

Note

Your record cannot be activated unless you report to school.

Bring the following to our office:

• Your Passport

• Your I-20 Form

• Your I-94 arrival/departure record (follow this link to print a copy).

• Your current address

• Form I-515A (ONLY if you were given this form by an immigration officer at the port of entry)