Apply for a Visa Stamp

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.

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Apply for a visa (5 steps)

Canadian citizens do not need a visa, but still must follow Steps 1 & 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 will simply follow Step 1 below to receive your WashU immigration document.

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.

Step 1: Apply for appropriate immigration documents

Before you begin the visa application process, you must have the appropriate immigration 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

For F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors: If you have a currently valid visa that matches your status, check if the SEVIS ID number matches your new WashU immigration document. If the SEVIS ID number does not match, we recommend that you apply for a new visa before you re-enter the U.S.

Step 2: Pay the SEVIS fee (only for F and J status)

The I-901 SEVIS fee is required for all students and scholars applying for F-1 or J-1 status to cover the costs of the SEVIS tracking system.

Key Actions and Notes

• When to pay: Pay the fee after you receive your I-20 or DS-2019.
• How to pay: Complete the I-901 Fee Remittance form online.
• Required proof: You MUST print and keep the payment confirmation. You will need to show this proof:
  • At your visa interview
  • At the U.S. port of entry
• Exemption: If you are currently in F-1/J-1 status and are transferring your SEVIS record to WashU, you do not need to pay again.
• Check payment status: Visit FMJfee.com to check your payment status and print payment confirmation.
• Canadian students: Canadian citizens do not need a visa to enter the U.S. but will need to show the SEVIS fee payment confirmation at the U.S. Port of Entry.

Step 3: Complete the DS-160 non-immigrant visa application

Complete your application online through the Department of State (DOS).

DS-160 Guidance: See our DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application page for more information and guidance.

Contact Information: 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

New Social Media Vetting Requirements – effective June 18, 2025

DOS now requires consular officers to review social media accounts for F-1 and J-1 visa applicants. You must set your social media accounts to “public.” Consular officers are instructed that limited social media visibility “could be construed as an effort to evade or hide certain activity.” It is unclear exactly what consular officers are looking for in an applicant’s social media accounts, but we understand they may be looking for:

• Indications of affiliation with or support for organizations designated as terrorist groups by the U.S. government;
• Evidence of involvement in, or planned illegal activities;
• Online content expressing threats, harassment, or hostility toward individuals or institutions in the United States;
• Discriminatory or hate-based content, including antisemitism;
• Evidence of past noncompliance with U.S. visa regulations; and 
• Inconsistent information between the DS-160 form and the visa interview.

Read the DOS Announcement of Expanded Screening and Vetting for Visa Applicants.

More information regarding U.S. visas, eligibility and how to apply can be found on the DOS website.

Step 4: Confirm visa reciprocity & validity

Visa reciprocity defines how long your visa is valid and how many entries are permitted. For example:

• An F-1 visa could be valid for up to five years with multiple entries.
• Alternatively, it might be valid for three months with only one entry.

Be aware that DOS recently updated the visa reciprocity for several countries. Further changes may occur at any time. Therefore, before scheduling your visa interview appointment:

• Search your country of citizenship using the U.S. Visa: Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country tool from the Department of State (DOS)
• Select your country and the type of visa classification you are requesting (e.g., F, J, H).

The reciprocity table shows the following information:

• The number of entries allowed (one, two, “M” for multiple)
• Visa validity length (three months, one year, five years)
• Any applicable visa reciprocity fees

Take this into consideration when scheduling your appointment. Depending on your country of citizenship, you may receive a visa that is valid for only three months or less. The visa issuance date will be the same as the start date of validity. Therefore, if the validity period is only three months, it is important that you schedule a visa appointment 1-4 months in advance of your program start date. Visas may be issued with stricter limitations based on personal circumstances or application concerns.

Step 5: Schedule and attend visa appointment

Visit the U.S. Consulates and Embassies Abroad website to schedule an appointment as soon as you are eligible. You must apply for a visa at a consulate or embassy in your home country or country of legal residence. Many locations provide online appointment scheduling.

There are some countries where the U.S. government does not conduct routine nonimmigrant visa operations. In this case, apply at the DOS designated location, unless your legal residence is elsewhere. 

Be aware of these limitations regarding visa interviews and processing:

• Visa interview wait and processing timelines vary greatly depending on the country and time of year.
• Some applications may undergo a rigid and time-consuming background check.
• F-1 students can apply for a visa stamp up to 365 days prior to the start date listed on the 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 above), contact OISS. OISS may need to adjust the start date of your program.

Request expedited visa appointment

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. 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.

Resources to help apply for a visa

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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.