Troy
University
Fall 2023
Visa Presentation
Table of Content
• Obtaining your I-20 or DS-2019
• Paying I-901 fee
• Completing your DS-160 form
• Scheduling your visa interview
• Attending your visa interview
• Tips for the visa interview
• 10 facts about the visa process
• Q&A session
You need your I20
or DS 2019 to:
● Pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee
● Apply for a nonimmigrant student visa
● Enter the United States
● Apply for benefits
○ Driver’s license
○ Social security number
○ OPT (I-20) or Academic Training (DS-2019)
Sample
I-20
Sample
DS 2019 Program Information
SEVIS ID Number
Length of Program
Student Signature
I-901 Fee
• Pay your fee at:
fmjfee.com/i901fee/index.html
• F = $350,00
• J = $220,00
• You will need:
• Sevis ID (on I-20 form)
• Last Name (as listed on passport)
• Given Name (as listed on passport)
• Date of Birth (MM/DD/YYYY)
7
Sample passport
Filling out your DS160 Form
• You will need the following:
• Your I-20 form
• Passport
• Personal information
• Home country address
• Phone number
• Emergency contact information
• Social media accounts
• Personal references
• Arrival address
• Contact person in the US
• Passport size photo
https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/
Click
Here
Save your
Application ID
You will need
your passport
for this section
You will
need your I-
20 for this
section
YOU WILL NEED TO UPLOAD A PASSPORT SIZE PHOTO
Print
E-mail
Scheduling your
visa appointment
● Go to https://www.usembassy.gov/
● Find your country
● Select the US consulate/embassy
where you wish to attend your visa
interview
● Select the “Visa” tab
○ Click “Non-immigrant visa”
● Click Global Support Services (GSS)
● Create your account
● Pay Visa Interview fee
Find your Country
Select your Embassy or Consulate
Select Nonimmigrant Visa
Click
Here
Select Global Support Services (GSS)
Click
Here
Create your Account
Create account
Verify Payment Options in your Country
Attending your
Visa Interview
• What to Bring
• What not to Bring
• Possible Interview Questions
• Tips and Suggestions
• 10 Facts about the Visa Process
What to Bring
• I-20 or DS-2019 issued by the admitting school
• A letter of admission
• A valid passport
• Financial documents or letter from sponsor
• Proof of proficiency in English (if applicable)
• SEVIS fee payment receipt (Form I-901)
• DS-160 confirmation page
• Passport size photo
Additional Documentation May Be Required
A consular officer will interview you to determine your qualifications for a student visa, and may request additional
documents, such as evidence of:
• Your academic preparation, such as:
• Transcripts, diplomas, degrees, or certificates from schools you attended
• Standardized test scores required by your U.S. school
Prohibited Items at Embassies & Consulates
The following items are prohibited inside the U.S. Embassy and they have no storage facilities for
them, so please leave them at your home, your hotel, or in your vehicle:
• Backpacks, bags, luggage, or large purses (purses 12 x 10 x 6 in. and smaller will be
permitted)
• Food and beverages
• Weapons, including mace or pepper spray
• Tools, including any sharp or bladed objects
• Any oils, aerosols or pump sprays, liquids, lotions and powders
• Any type of fire starter
• Electronic or recording equipment of any kind, including, but not limited to:
•Cameras
•Laptop computers
•Mobile phones
•MP3, CD, or cassette players
•Pagers
•Keyless remotes
•Helmets of any type
Possible Interview Questions
University related questions
• Why do you want to study in the US?
• Why did you choose this particular university?
• Where is the school?
• How did you learn about it?
• What are you going to study?
• Why did you choose this major?
• How many other universities were you admitted
to? Why not those?
Possible Interview Questions
Funding related questions
• How are you going to fund it?
• If you are using a sponsor, who are they?
• How do you know them?
• Beyond the first year, what is your plan?
*Show proof of funding
for one academic year
Possible Interview Questions
Future plans
•What do you intend to do after
completing your program?
•Do you have any relatives in the US?
•Where are they living?
•Why should I grant you a visa?
*F/J are non-immigrant visas
Important Reminders for
J-1 Applicants
•You are not a traditional student
•You will need financial proof for
the duration of your program
•You need to emphasize:
•Program length
•Why you chose to study in the US
•How you will use your education
back home
Tips and Suggestions
• Dress appropriately
• Arrive with plenty of time before your appointment
• Try to remain calm and composed
• Remember key points and answer the questions as naturally as
possible
• Be organized!
• Provide specific yet succinct answers –not memorized!
• Discuss articulately:
• Choice of school and major
• Ties to home country
• Sponsor’s occupation
• Scholarships and funding opportunities
• Post-study plans
10 Facts
About the Visa Process
1
Start your Visa
process early
2
How you present
yourself is important
3
Be prepared with the
recommended documents; extra
documents are not important
4
The visa interview will be
conducted in English
5
A university has no authority to
contact an Embassy/Consulate
on behalf of a student
6
Denials are difficult
to overcome
7
Denial reason: INA § 214
(b) covers everything
8
Don’t give one word
answers
9
Decisions are
final
10
The visa record is
for life
Helpful Sites
General information for student visas
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study/student-visa.html
Visa wait times
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/wait-times.html
US embassy/consulate locator
https://www.usembassy.gov/
We will share these links with you via email
Thank You!
Do you have any questions?
intlrecruit@troy.edu
+1 334 670 3335
troy.edu/international
