Visa Information

Applying for Your Visa

Applying for a student visa can be a confusing process. Please read through the following information carefully to make sure your visa application process goes as smoothly as possible.

Obtaining a Student Visa

To obtain a student Visa, you need to be able to show you have the following:

• Appropriate academic preparation for the studies you plan to carry out.
• Adequate English language skills or evidence that the school is aware that you lack adequate English language skills and will provide language training.
• Sufficient funds for the first year, as evidenced by bank statements or other financial documents.
• Strong ties to your home country where you are applying for the visa. This includes any evidence that you will leave the United States when you complete your studies. These factors must be established to the satisfaction of the consular officer.

As an applicant for a student visa you must provide:

• A SEVIS generated Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status-For Academic and Language Students) or a DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status). The Monterey Institute is responsible for entering your information for the Form I-20 or DS-2019 into SEVIS.
• Proof you have paid the SEVIS I-901 fee for your program of study.
• A completed Online Non-immigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160. A separate form is needed for children, even if they are included in a parent's passport. Print and keep the DS-160 bar code page once application is submitted.
• An interview at the embassy consular section is required for almost all visa applicants. The waiting time for your interview appointment will vary, so we strongly encourage you to make an early visa application. During the visa interview, a quick, two-digit, ink-free fingerprint scan will be taken, as well as a digital photo. Some applicants will need additional screening, and will be notified when they apply.
• A passport valid for at least six months after your proposed date of entry into the United States.
• One (1) 2x2 photograph. See the required photo format explained in non-immigrant photograph requirements.
• A machine readable visa (MRV) receipt to show payment of the visa application fee, a visa issuance fee if applicable (please consult the Visa Reciprocity Table) and a separate SEVIS I-901 fee receipt. While all F and J visa applicants must pay the MRV fee, including dependents, only F-1 or J-1 principal applicants must pay the SEVIS fee.

You should also be prepared to provide:

• Transcripts and diplomas from all previous institutions you attended;
• Scores from any standardized tests required by Monterey Institute such as the TOEFL, SAT, GRE, GMAT, etc.
• Financial evidence that shows you or your sponsor has sufficient funds to cover your tuition and living expenses during the period of your intended study. For example, if you or your sponsor is a salaried employee, please bring income tax documents and original bank books and/or statements. If you or your sponsor owns a business, please bring business registration, licenses, etc., and tax documents, as well as original bank books and/or statements.

If you are bringing dependents, you must also provide:

• Proof of the your relationship to your spouse and/or children (e.g., marriage and/or birth certificates.);
• It is preferred that families apply for F-1 or J-1 and F-2 or J-2 visas at the same time, but if the spouse and children must apply separately at a later time, they should bring a copy of the student visa holder's passport and visa, along with all of the other required documents.

For more information on preparing for an F-1 or J-1 visa interview, go to the U.S. Department of State website.

The SEVIS Fee

The SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) I-901 fee was mandated by Congress to support the program office and the automated system that keeps track of students and exchange visitors to ensure that they maintain their status while in the United States. Each student or exchange visitor issued an initial Form I-20 or DS-2019  is responsible for paying this fee to SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program).