Process Overview...
This page shows you a complete overview of what is needed to be done to get you to America. What I have not done is provide you with recommendations of colleges or universities. These will have to be researched by you to see if they have what you want and need.
Warning - Please expect to pay out quite a lot of fees at various parts of the process. Where they occur I have annotated with "Fee to be paid". Also, start this process as soon as possible because it can take a while for it all to come together.
Stage one:
Stage two:
Stage three:
Once your passport has arrived then do the following:
Stage four:
You will need the I20 Form (F1) for this next part so if it hasn't arrived you need to wait, sorry. This section is all about form filling so will take a few hours. You need to declare if you filled them in alone or had help.
Note: If you have ever been arrested and/or have a criminal conviction, have a medical ineligibility, or have been denied entry into or deported from the United States you will be required to furnish documents relating to your situation in support of your application. Please click on the relevant links for further information. Use the following link to follow the relevant links: (http://london.usembassy.gov/students.html )
Note: If you are asked by the college or university to complete Forms DS-157 (Male Only Form) and DS-158 (Work Records) don't worry about it as these forms have been superceeded and incorporated into an updated DS-160 Form.
Stage five:
Warning: The interview can take hours (ok the main reason for the wait is the Embassy having to carry out their own checks, so if one of the references isn't available you need to wait until they are contacted). I strongly suggest you get to the embassy at least 30 minutes prior to your interview so you can get through the airport style check at the gate. You will not get in earlier than this and if you are late you may be turned away. With my oldest son I had to wait for 6 hours however, with my younger son it was only a 4 hour wait. Also, parents, partners, etc can't enter the Embassy and need to wait outside, so hopefully the weather stays dry as there is no shelter nearby.
Stage six:
Well done if you have managed to get this far. Unfortunately you aren't quite finished and yes it will cost you more money. However this is the final stage.
The end at last, Congratulations!
Warning - Please expect to pay out quite a lot of fees at various parts of the process. Where they occur I have annotated with "Fee to be paid". Also, start this process as soon as possible because it can take a while for it all to come together.
Stage one:
- Check your passport is valid for at least six years. Better still get a new one in case you decide to study beyond the initial three/four years because you don't want it to expire part way through your studies and have to go to London or Belfast to get the VISA appended to the new passport. Depending on the time of year this can take up to eight weeks and you will have to attend an interview. Also you will need your passport number for applying at the college / university and with the American Embassy website.
- Organise through an American college, university or agency (click on the Scholarships tab for more on this ) for a scholarship - if you are aiming for a sports scholarship make and provide a video showing off your skills. Any other information such as awards won etc is worth mentioning.
Stage two:
- Confirm acceptance letter and I20 form (F1) have been sent (you should get these in a few days);
- Contact the college / university to ask which inoculations are required or search their website and official state medical website;
- Don't wait for these documents to arrive, get started on the next step.
Stage three:
Once your passport has arrived then do the following:
- Register as a student with WES (www.wes.org) - Click on the Qualification Transcript's tab above for further information; Fee to be paid.
- Request copies and transcripts of all your educational documents from the issuing authority here in the UK - Click on the Qualification Transcript's tab above for further information; Fee to be paid.
- Register with the American college / university online system - A Fee to be paid (expect $25 upwards).
- Arrange an appointment for the innoculations you require and make sure you get at least hepatitis B for sexually transmitted diseases and you will need the MMR injection if you haven't already had it - Fee to be paid.
- Arrange for a certificate of proof for all innoculations you have had from birth to date. It's only needed for the college / university. If you don't provide one then you will need to have them all again or be refused entry to the institute. - Fee to be paid.
Stage four:
You will need the I20 Form (F1) for this next part so if it hasn't arrived you need to wait, sorry. This section is all about form filling so will take a few hours. You need to declare if you filled them in alone or had help.
Note: If you have ever been arrested and/or have a criminal conviction, have a medical ineligibility, or have been denied entry into or deported from the United States you will be required to furnish documents relating to your situation in support of your application. Please click on the relevant links for further information. Use the following link to follow the relevant links: (http://london.usembassy.gov/students.html )
- Complete SEVIS online application - http://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/index.htm You will NOT be permitted entry into the embassy without this form. Fee to be paid.
- Complete American Embassy DS-160 Form (Student VISA Application) Nonimmigrant VISA - https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/ You will be asked to provide an image of yourself from a file saved on your computer system. It has to conform to American passport picture standards. To find out what these standards are go here: http://travel.state.gov/visa/visaphotoreq/visaphotoreq_5334.html Don't worry too much if you don't have one as there are a number of companies around the embassy who can provide them on the day or see if you have a SnappySnaps shop near where you live. The standard UK passport images are too small (American passport photos are 2" X 2"). If your online photo is not accepted then you must take two photos with you to the embassy. Fee to be paid.
- MRV Application Fee - This fee has to be paid by all who wish a nonimmigration VISA. It is paid for over the phone when booking your interview appointment. Go here http://london.usembassy.gov/visa_contact_information.html to get all the details and cost of the phone call.
Note: If you are asked by the college or university to complete Forms DS-157 (Male Only Form) and DS-158 (Work Records) don't worry about it as these forms have been superceeded and incorporated into an updated DS-160 Form.
Stage five:
- Book your travel to the embassy but note you need to arrive 30 minutes before your appointed time.
- Click on the following link to see what you need to take with you on the day: http://london.usembassy.gov/f_additional_docs.html . I would suggest you only take what is needed for the interview as airport type checking is used at the gate.
- If travelling by air you will need to check with the airline what they will accept other than a passport because you will need to leave your passport at the embassy so the VISA can be added. It will be returned to you by courier and you need to pay for this service (currently £14.50) at the embassy via debit or credit card. Cash is not accepted. Fee to be paid.
Warning: The interview can take hours (ok the main reason for the wait is the Embassy having to carry out their own checks, so if one of the references isn't available you need to wait until they are contacted). I strongly suggest you get to the embassy at least 30 minutes prior to your interview so you can get through the airport style check at the gate. You will not get in earlier than this and if you are late you may be turned away. With my oldest son I had to wait for 6 hours however, with my younger son it was only a 4 hour wait. Also, parents, partners, etc can't enter the Embassy and need to wait outside, so hopefully the weather stays dry as there is no shelter nearby.
Stage six:
Well done if you have managed to get this far. Unfortunately you aren't quite finished and yes it will cost you more money. However this is the final stage.
- Medical insurance - There aren't many companies who offer this to students. The company I use is Coe Connections International (http://www.coeconnections.co.uk/ ) and you want to select Study Abroad. I opted for the World Wide so my sons can go anywhere at a moments notice and be covered. I can recommend this company as my eldest son has been in an accident and fallen ill (not at the same time) and it was handled very efficiently. Fee to be paid.
- Flights - I can't recommend anywhere for this but would suggest you don't take the cheapest as your poor son / daughter could be travelling for two days for you to save £50; when they could get there within 13 hours for that bit more.
- Bank account - You need to think how you will get funds. You could open an account in the states and then use the Post Office overseas transfer service which will pay the money straight to the account within a few days. This is very handy for large amounts. Or like us you could open a joint debit account (Mum / Dad and you) with the Halifax / Bank of Scotland. But if your card fails to work in the states you will need to phone the UK and sort it out. But look around to see if there is a better deal.
- Check with the college / university if you will be met at the airport or need to make your own way there. Sometimes the institutes web site will provide this information. Sports Coaches quite often arrange to have you met but a quick email will tell. Or you could take a family holiday, embarrassing for them but fun for you, also you get to put your mind at ease knowing they have arrived safely.
The end at last, Congratulations!