U.S. Consulate General, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Student Visa Process U.S. Consulate General, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

U.S. Consulate General, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Where do I start? Do Your Research! http://educationusa.state.gov Education USA Advising Center (08)3520 4610 or HCMCEDUSA@state.gov. Address: Diamond Plaza, 8th floor, 34 Le Duan Boulevard, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam U.S. educational information and advising centers can be found in almost every country around the world, and they are the ideal starting point for your research. Centers usually have a library with directories, university catalogs, introductory guides such as this one, handouts, and reference books to assist you in applying to study in the United States. Many centers have developed guides, videos, and Web sites specifically tailored to students applying from your country. Many also have computer based college search packages to help you choose the best colleges for you. Most important of all, they have trained staff who can answer your questions in person or by mail, by telephone, and, in most cases, by e-mail. The United States leads the world in using the World Wide Web. Almost every U.S. university and college has a Web site that offers a wealth of information about degree programs, application procedures, academic departments, facilities on campus, and other topics. In many cases you will also find a copy of the college catalog, which you can study on-line or download to read later. Don’t forget that many sites also give e-mail addresses for current students, including international students, who are often more than happy to answer your questions about applying to the school and about life on campus. Once you have narrowed down the colleges and universities you are interested in, you may wish to e-mail professors and admissions personnel to have specific questions answered before you finally decide where to apply. In many parts of the world, private agents or agencies work to recruit international students into U.S. colleges. There are also private educational consultants who charge a fee for assisting you with the process of choosing U.S. colleges and putting together your applications. Often these educational consultants and private agents are graduates of U.S. colleges or people who are dedicated to promoting the benefits and advantages of the U.S. education system. However, sometimes they are not, and so it is important to check the credentials and past performance of educational consultants or agents before using their services. If you have found a recruiting agent or a consultant who is helpful, well informed, and dependable, she or he maybe very useful in helping you to select and apply to a college in the United States. Be careful, however, to look for verifiable signs of the agent’s or consultant’s past success stories with students from your country. Ask for a list of names and addresses of students presently studying in the United States who are there because of the agent’s or consultant’s help. Write, e-mail, or telephone some of these students to get their firsthand opinion of the college where they study and the services they received from the agent or consultant. Such precautions are especially important if the agent or consultant is asking for expensive fees for his or her services. Lastly, always check with an unbiased source (such as a U.S. educational information or advising center) to ensure the legitimacy and accreditation status of the college being represented to you. U.S. Consulate General, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

U.S. Consulate General, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Applying for your visa U.S. Consulate General, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

The I-20 Form First, you choose and apply to school. Once you are accepted, request your I-20 form from the school. The I-20 Form U.S. Consulate General, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

I have my I-20. What do I do now? Plan ahead You can apply for your visa up to 120 days before your start date! To schedule an interview, follow the instructions on our website: www.ustraveldocs.com/vn U.S. Consulate General, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

How do I schedule an interview? There is ONE Website for information, visa application fee, appointment scheduling, and visa delivery: www.ustraveldocs.com Your visa application fee includes: An appointment for a visa interview Access to a Call Center for visa inquiries or assistance Passport delivery for approved visas U.S. Consulate General, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

What do I need before the interview? Follow the instructions on www.ustraveldocs.com: Complete the DS-160 Pay your $160 application fee Make an appointment Obtain your original I-20 from the school Register with SEVIS and pay the SEVIS fee U.S. Consulate General, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

U.S. Consulate General, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Your visa interview U.S. Consulate General, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

The Interview Process What happens that day? Show up at the time of your appointment Go through security, check in electronics Line up for intake, document check Capture fingerprints Wait to be called to an interview window Interview If approved, complete the EMS form for delivery The whole process usually takes about 45 minutes. U.S. Consulate General, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

U.S. Consulate General, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam In the interview… Be prepared to discuss your educational background and your plans for the future. What will you study? Why? What will you do when you finish studying? Speak English if you can, but please do not memorize a speech. Memorized speeches sound the same, and you want to stand out. Show us you are a good student and can afford your studies. U.S. Consulate General, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Preparing For Your Interview: Paperwork Prepare your student documents: I-20 form, SEVIS receipt, transcripts, hoc ba, diplomas, test scores, etc. Financial ability: Show (and explain) who will pay for your studies and how they can afford it. There are certain restrictions on attending public school in the U.S. Persons who violate these restrictions may not receive another visa for a period of five years. The restrictions apply only to students holding F-1 visas. They do not apply to students attending public school on derivative visas, such as F-2, J-2 or H-4 visas. The restrictions also do not apply to students attending private schools on F-1 visas. The restrictions are: Students who attend public high schools in the U.S. are limited to twelve months of study. Public school attendance in the U.S. prior to November 30, 1996 does not count toward this limit. F-1 visas can no longer be issued to attend public elementary or middle schools (Kindergarten - 8th grade) or publicly-funded adult education programs. Before an F-1 visa for a public school can be issued, the student must show that the public school in the U.S. has been reimbursed for the full, unsubsidized per capita cost of the education as calculated by the school. Reimbursement may be indicated on the I-20. Consular officers may request copies of canceled checks and/or receipts confirming the payment as needed. U.S. Consulate General, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Preparing For Your Interview: Prepare Yourself! Explain your personal situation and what distinguishes you as a student. Describe how you have prepared to study in the U.S., and how it fits in with your long term plans for the future. U.S. Consulate General, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

U.S. Consulate General, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Save Your Money! x Do not pay anyone for fake forms, pictures or coaching. Do not believe anyone who says you should. U.S. Consulate General, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Why visas are issued or refused Our goal is to issue a visa to every qualified student visa applicant. To qualify, the law requires students demonstrate: Intention and ability to be a successful, full-time student. Ability to pay for studies and living expenses. Sufficient English according to your I-20. Student visa applicants are also required to show that they have sufficient funds at least for the first year of school and a source of funding for the remainder of their education. In addition, students must have sufficient knowledge of English to pursue the intended course of study. U.S. Consulate General, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

What happens if I am refused? You can reapply New consular officer Must schedule a new appointment and pay the fee again What’s new? Don’t expect a different decision without new information about your qualifications for the visa U.S. Consulate General, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

U.S. Consulate General, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Myth #1: Visa Quotas There is no limit to the number of student visas we issue – the more, the better! If you are serious student, we want you to study in the U.S.! U.S. Consulate General, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Myth #2: Documents = Visa Documents can be helpful, but the interview is the key step in the entire visa process. U.S. Consulate General, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Myth #3: Relatives in the U.S. Having relatives in the U.S. does not automatically qualify or disqualify you from getting a visa – even if they help finance your education! U.S. Consulate General, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Myth #4: There are “right” answers There is no one right answer. The most important thing is to be honest in describing your personal circumstances. U.S. Consulate General, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam