Applying for a Student Visa
Students who need to obtain an F-1 visa will complete through the Department of State, and then attend an interview at a U.S. consulate or embassy abroad. Review the for specific application and interview procedures.
Before attending the interview, students MUST pay the SEVIS (I-901) fee. Visit page for information.
If your country of citizenship or country of birth is Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria or Gambia, you will not be able to pay the fee by credit card. You must pay by money order, or certified check drawn on a U.S. financial institution.
- This fee, currently $350 is used to maintain the SEVIS database and is separate from the visa application fee.
- This fee is not collected by UTEP or OIP.
Always bring the required supporting documents with you to the interview. Failure to prepare can result in visa denial. In general, you should bring the following:
- Passport, MUST BE valid for at least six months into the future
- Original I-20 with your signature - bottom of page 1
- UTEP Admission letter
- DS-160 confirmation page
- SEVIS (I-901) fee receipt
- Evidence of nonimmigrant intent (intent to return home after completing your program)
- VIsa applicants are presumed to have the intent to settle in the U.S. permanently until they can prove otherwise. Students should be prepared with evidence that they have a reason to return home, including:
- Property/Assets/Businesses owned in the home country
- Bank/Financial accounts that will remain open
- Close family members who will remain
- Job offers/opportunities in the home country after completion of program
- VIsa applicants are presumed to have the intent to settle in the U.S. permanently until they can prove otherwise. Students should be prepared with evidence that they have a reason to return home, including:
- Evidence of financial resources to pay for tuition and living expenses
- Assistantship offers, scholarship letters, own financial statements, and financial sponsorship confirmation from other sources.
The visa officer may ask a few or all of the following questions listed below. Be prepared with brief but purposeful responses.
- Why did you apply to UTEP?
- Why you chose the program you did?
- What you plan to do with your degree?
- What you plan to do after you graduate?
- Do you plan to return home?
VISA DENIALS
Most F-1 visas denials are due to lack of evidence of nonimmigrant intent to return home after completion of the degree (the visa officer does not believe that the applicant will return home after completing their program); or lack of evidence of financial resources (the visa officer does not believe the student has enough money to live in the U.S.).
Be prepared with explanations of why you will return home and where your funding is coming from.