Students and scholars must apply for and obtain a valid visa stamp (also simply referred to as a “visa”) before entering the U.S. A visa cannot be renewed from inside the U.S. Canadian citizens do not need a visa, but still must follow steps 1 and 2 below, as applicable.
If you are transferring your SEVIS record to WashU from another institution and you have a valid F-1 or J-1 visa, you do not need to apply for a new visa stamp. You may disregard the steps outlined below. As long as your visa is valid, it is okay if it lists your previous institution.
Learn about applying for a visa or visa “renewal” on the U.S. Department of State (DOS) website. The DOS website includes information on:
- Visa categories
- Visa application process and advice
The U.S. Embassy website has links to all U.S. consulates and embassies abroad. Each location will list documentation and other requirements to apply for a visa stamp.
Visa timeline, delays & denials
Current visa appointment wait times, information regarding administrative processing and visa processing wait times can be found on the Department of State website.
If your arrival is delayed and you are unable to come to WashU by the start date on your immigration document:
- Students: follow the steps on the I-20 or DS-2019 Deferral page
- Scholars: contact your host department for information
Step 1: Apply for appropriate immigration documents
Before you begin the visa application process, make sure to have the appropriate document that allows you to apply for a visa.
- F-1 students: Form I-20
- J-1 exchange visitors: Form DS-2019
- H-1B, E-3, O-1 employees: I-797 Approval Notice
- TN employees: OISS invitation letter
Step 2: Pay the SEVIS fee (only for F and J status)
Students and scholars applying for F-1 or J-1 immigration status must pay the I-901 SEVIS fee. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) charges the I-901 fee to cover costs of administration and maintenance of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). SEVIS is used to monitor and track F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors and their dependents.
Note: If you are already in F-1 or J-1 status in the U.S. and are transferring your SEVIS record to Washington University, you do NOT need to re-pay this fee.
Once you receive your I-20 or DS-2019, you must pay the SEVIS fee by completing an I-901 Fee Remittance form, in English, online. Print the payment confirmation after, as you are required to have proof of payment in order to obtain a visa. F-1 and J-1 students who have paid their required I‑901 SEVIS fee can access FMJfee.com on their mobile devices. You will be able to access FMJfee.com and check the status of the payment. The mobile‑friendly site provides updates regarding the SEVIS fee, as well as answers to SEVIS fee frequently asked questions.
You must show the consulate officer printed proof of SEVIS fee payment during your interview at a U.S. consulate abroad. If you are a Canadian citizen, you do not require a visa, and you will need to show the SEVIS fee payment confirmation to the officer at the port of entry. We recommend you retain your payment confirmation with your immigration documents, as you may need evidence of this payment in the future.
Step 3: Complete the DS-160 non-immigrant visa application
Complete your application online through the Department of State (DOS).
The DS-160 asks you to provide a contact name, address and phone number at your sponsoring school. Students with an I-20 or DS-2019 from WashU should list the following:
- F-1 and J-1 student contact: Ariel Carpenter
- J-1 scholar contact: Laura Register
Address:
Washington University in St. Louis
Office for International Students and Scholars
6510 Wallace Dr., Alumni Hall
St. Louis, MO 63105
Phone:
314-935-5910
Email:
oiss@wustl.edu
See our DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application section for more information and guidance.
More information regarding U.S. visas, eligibility and how to apply can be found on the DOS website.
Step 4: Schedule and attend visa appointment
For information on scheduling your visa appointment and to find the consulate or embassy nearest to you, visit the U.S. Consulates and Embassies Abroad website. Many consulates and embassies provide online appointment scheduling.
Visa interview wait times and processing times vary greatly depending on the country and time of year, and some applications may undergo a rigid and time-consuming background check. If you are subject to a background check, there is little WashU can do to speed up the process. Therefore, we suggest scheduling your appointment as soon as you are eligible.
Note: For F-1 students, you can apply for a visa stamp up to 365 days prior to the start date listed on your I-20.
After obtaining a visa, F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors (both students and scholars) may enter the U.S. up to 30 days prior to their program start date. Employees in H-1B, E-3, TN and O-1 status may enter the U.S. no earlier than 10 days prior to their employment start date.
If your visa application is put into “administrative processing” (see Visa timeline, delays & denials section above), contact OISS. For scholars, OISS may need to adjust the start date of your program.
Visa Interview Resources
Check out the schedule of webinars that may be helpful to understanding the U.S. visa application process and what to expect in your interview
Expedited visa appointment requests
U.S. consulates may be able to expedite your interview date to facilitate your arrival at the beginning of your program. The process to request an expedited nonimmigrant visa interview varies by location. You should refer to the instructions on the website of the Embassy or Consulate (in the Visa Section) where you will interview, or on their online appointment scheduling site. Please note:
- You must first complete the steps prior to this one, pay the visa application processing fee, and schedule the first available interview appointment, even if that interview appointment is far into the future. Only at this point will a consulate consider your request for an expedited appointment.
- You should be prepared to provide a Form I-20 or DS-2019 showing that you would miss the beginning of your program if not granted an expedited appointment.
Additional resources
We recommend that you read the Department of State page on Special Visa Processing Procedures.
An interview with a consular officer – now mandatory for all visa applicants – will help determine the outcome of your application. Consider the following information when preparing for these crucial interviews:
- Interviews are usually very short, so you should make efficient use of your time with the consular officer.
- Proper preparation means producing as much documented proof as possible that you meet the criteria that consular officers typically consider important.
- Interested parties may provide written information to support your application but may not always be allowed to accompany you to the interview.
- It is difficult to overcome an initial rejection of a visa application. Although consular officers will reconsider cases if visa applications are denied, applicants must be able to show convincing evidence that their personal, professional or financial circumstances have changed since the previous application. Prepare your first application carefully by presenting your case as clearly as possible.
Nonimmigrants wishing to apply for a visa in a country other than their country of citizenship are referred to as “Third Country Nationals” (TCNs). Applying for a visa in a third country may be more difficult than applying in your home country. You should be aware that although some consular offices do accept visa applications from TCNs, the process may be more time-consuming, and the possibility of a visa denial may be higher than when applying in your home country. In these cases, the officer has to take extra measures to become informed about the applicant’s relationship to their home country and the U.S.
You may need to prove that you have continuously maintained lawful non-immigrant status during your time in the U.S. or you may be sent to your home country to apply for the visa. Refusal or delays in a third country are more likely than at home, so plan well in advance of your date of travel.
If your visa will expire before you return to the U.S., allow enough time outside the U.S. to renew your visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate. It’s not possible to renew a visa while inside the U.S. Renewing a visa is similar to applying for the initial visa, as each application is considered independent.
Your visa is only used for entry to the U.S. and the validity period of a visa does not determine how long you can stay in the U.S. You can stay in the U.S. past the expiration date of your visa as long as your status has not expired and your electronic I-94 record reflects the proper status.
If you are traveling to Canada, Mexico, or contiguous territories, you may be eligible for Automatic Visa Revalidation.
It is okay to remain in the U.S. after your visa expires as long as:
- Your passport is valid AND
- Your immigration status is valid (based on your I-20, DS-2019, or I-797 Approval Notice) AND
- You are a continuing full-time student (or for students on post-completion OPT or Academic Training, you are following the OPT or Academic Training rules) OR
- You are actively engaging in your program objectives (J-1 exchange visitors) OR
- You are working at WashU as indicated by your immigration status (H-1B, E-3, TN, O-1)
The U.S. Department of State may use a security clearance process when deciding whether to grant or deny a U.S. visa. This is called administrative processing, or, a Security Advisory Opinion (SAO). It involves additional screening beyond the visa interview which may require coordination with other U.S. government agencies, such as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
Learn about the visa renewal process.
Disclaimer statement
The WashU Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS) offers guidance on the visa stamp application process as a courtesy to WashU students. We make every attempt to ensure that we share the most current guidance and information available. However, any advice provided by our office does not constitute legal advice. Students should always independently check U.S. Embassy/Consulate websites for policies and procedures. Be aware that the Department of State (DOS) may change its interpretation of applicable policies, procedures, regulations, and eligibility requirements at any time. OISS is not responsible for, and expressly disclaims liability for, any errors or omissions relating to your visa application and any decisions made by DOS. For legal advice, students are encouraged to consult with a licensed, experienced immigration attorney at their own expense.