Non-Immigrant Visas  

Student Visas

For detailed information about exchange programs, including the Summer Work and Travel program, please visit the US State Department’s Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs website.  

What to Bring When Applying for a Visa

• Passport The passport should be valid for at least six months beyond the visa application date. Any expired and/or other current passport(s) in your possession should also be presented. A record of previously-issued nonimmigrant visas assists the Consular Officer in making a decision.
• Photograph Applicants must submit one photograph (either color or black and white) taken on a white background. Size = 50 x 50 mm (2 x 2 inches). The applicant's face must occupy at least 50% of the photo, be facing directly toward the camera, and have the ears visible. Photographs may be no more than six months old.
• I-20 Form The I-20 Form (issued by the school in the U.S.) is mandatory for all student visa applicants. Please complete and sign the I-20 form.
• Evidence of Prior Education Applicants should bring original transcripts of prior education. Applicants who are not applying immediately after completing their studies in Thailand should also present evidence of their recent employment.
• Financial Assets Applicants should present full and complete financial documentation to show that they have sufficient funds to cover the cost of their educational fees and living expenses while in the U.S. Fixed deposit accounts, current accounts, savings accounts and/or promissory notes belonging to the applicant's financial sponsor may be presented. Original documents should be presented - the Consulate will not need to keep copies.
• Evidence of a Residence Outside the U.S. When applying for a student visa, applicants are applying for a nonimmigrant visa. Before a nonimmigrant visa may be issued, applicants must establish to the satisfaction of the Consular Officer that they are not intending immigrants. Applicants can do this by showing evidence of their family, economic and other social ties to a country outside the U.S. No relative, employer, or friend can "guarantee" an applicant's return in place of such evidence. Regardless of who is sponsoring the trip, the consular officer must look at the individual situation and decide whether the applicant meets the requirements on his/her own merits. Please note that consular officers adjudicate visas on the basis of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). This law states that "Whenever any person makes application for a visa...the burden of proof shall be upon such person to establish that he is eligible." U.S. immigration law requires consular officers to deny an applicant's application if he/she fails to present convincing evidence that he/she is not an intending immigrant.

Student Visa Law for Public Schools

In 1996, the U.S. Congress created new legal provisions which affect the issuance of Student Visas to students wishing to attend public elementary (grades K to 8) and public secondary ("high") schools (grades 9 to 12) in the U.S. Under these provisions, Consular Officers are no longer able to issue Student Visas for public elementary programs, regardless of an applicant's ability to pay. In addition, students are limited to one year of study at the high school level. Students who wish to attend public secondary schools must pay the full, unsubsidized per capita cost of their education. Applicants must show proof of this payment before a visa can be issued. These provisions do not apply to students who wish to attend private schools or who are participants in Exchange Visitor Programs.

• Important Travel Note After receiving your student visa, you may enter the United States no earlier than thirty days prior to the beginning of your program start date as given on your form I-20.

Student & Exchange Visitor Visa Applicants and Fee
 
On September 1, 2004, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security began collecting a fee to cover the costs for the continued operation of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), including administration and maintenance of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVIS). SEVIS is a web-based system for maintaining information on international students and exchange visitors during their time in the United States.

Who pays the fee?

Those who wish to enter the United States as international students, exchange visitors and scholars with Forms I-20/DS-2019 issued on or after September 1, 2004. The SEVIS fee is non-refundable, regardless of whether the visa is issued. This fee is in addition to the regular application fee.

Individuals participating in a federally sponsored program whose program number prefix begins with “G-1,” “G-2” or “G-3” are exempt from this fee. Spouses and dependent children of students (F-2 and M-2) or exchange visitors (J-2) do not pay this fee.

Who pays the fee?

For students (F-1, F-3, M-1, or M-3)	$100
For spouses and dependent children (F-2, M-2, or J-2) of students or exchange visitors	None
For exchange visitors (J-1) unless participating in the following:	$100
(a) Federally sponsored exchange visitor program (program codes start with G-1, G-2, or G-3)	None
(b) Summer work/travel program	$35
(c) Au pair program	$35
(d) Camp counselor program	$35

When do the prospective students or exchange visitors pay the SEVIS fee?

• They must pay the fee prior to the visa interview.
• Non-immigrants currently in the United States who apply for student or exchange visitor status must pay the fee prior to filing their change of status application.

How is the fee paid?

Through the Internet at SEVIS by using a credit card, debit card, check or money order and electronically submitting the fee payment Form I-901 (Fee for Remittance for Certain F, M, and J Non-immigrants).

Note: The fee cannot be paid at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

When must the fee be paid?

The fee must be paid in time to guarantee that the payment can be deposited and recorded prior to the scheduled visa interview.

The fee must be processed at least three business days before the visa interview date for electronic payments on the internet or at least three business days before the visa interview date for payments by mail (it is recommended to mail the payment 2 weeks prior to an appointment for a visa interview) to allow for delivery at the DHS address listed on the Form I-901. This time frame allows the fee payment to be deposited and recorded in SEVIS.

How will the payment be verified?

The payment will be recorded in the SEVIS system. However, applicants are strongly recommended to bring the fee receipt I-797 as proof of mail or electronic payment to the visa interview.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will issue an official paper receipt (I-797) for every payment received. Individuals who pay electronically on the Internet will be able to print an electronic receipt immediately at the time of payment. A properly completed Western Union receipt will serves as immediate proof-of-payment at the time of the visa interview.

Individuals may request Express delivery service for the I-797 receipt at an additional cost of $30.

When must continuing students (F-1, F-3, M-1, or M-3 non-immigrants that have started but not finished a program) pay the SEVIS fee? 

Continuing students must pay the SEVIS fee before:

a) filing an application for reinstatement when they have been out of status for more than 5 months; or
b) when applying for a new visa or returning to the United States after an absence of more than 5 months that did not involve authorized overseas study.

For additional information, please visit the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (USICE) website, Contact the US Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand with any questions.