For many students, getting into an American university is hard enough. Then you have to figure out how to get a visa. While the process isnt difficult or long, it is very important to get it right. So hopefully this article will clarify exactly what you need to do.

The first thing you want to do is contact the US Consulate or Embassy in your country because the rules and regulations may change and because there may be special requirements for your country. The Embassy or Consulate is the only authoritative source of information. All Embassies have websites and telephone numbers and email addresses. You want to look for the Consular Section and the non-immigrant visa section (non-immigrant visas are for people who do not plan to move to the US permanently, such as students).

The first thing you will need is a form from the University which basically tells the Embassy who is responsible for you at the university, what kind of course you are accepted for and on what date your study begins and ends. If you are getting an F-1 visa, this form is called an I-20. If you are getting a J-1 visa (usually if you have a government-funded scholarship or you are an exchange student), it's a DS-2019. Usually when a university accepts you, they do not send the I-20 or DS-2019 immediately. They need you to send back confirmation that you will go to that university, and financial details, like who will pay for your education. Each university has its own requirements for issuing the I-20 or DS-2019 so read your acceptance letter and information carefully. What Do I Have to Do?

Once you get the form from the university, you need to:

Pay the SEVIS fee of $100.

SEVIS is a database of all foreign students in the US, maintained by the government. You need to be registered in this database to get a visa. It costs $100 to register. You can must register online at: http://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/index.htm.You will need information from the I-20 or DS2019 to fill out this form and you will need to pay the fee of $100 electronically with a credit card. In some cases, the university or your sponsor may be willing to pay this fee for you, so check with them. Make sure if you do it yourself, that you do not make any mistakes or enter any false or misleading information. Problems with your SEVIS entry can mean problems in the US, including not being let into the country or being deported. When you have submitted your information and payment, you will be able to save and to printout a receipt. Fill Out the DS-156 which can be found at http://evisaforms.state.gov/This is an electronic form which you submit over the Internet. You will need Adobe Acrobat software to do this successfully. Note that you should put an answer in every blank, even if that answer is "No" or "NA" (Not applicable to me). Make sure you understand every question and don't be afraid to ask the Embassy to make sure the information is accurate. When you have submitted the DS-156, print out a copy for your records. You can also save it to your computer.

Fill Out Form DS-158 which can be downloaded and printed from the Embassy website. You should print it out and fill it out by hand. This form is for all applicants for student visas.

If you are male, you will also need to fill out the DS-157, also downloadable from the Embassy website. It asks some questions about contacts in your home country and any special training you have had in sensitive areas. Be truthful. Don't say you know nothing about chemicals if you are applying for a PhD in chemical engineering (as one student did)! Contact the Embassy for an Appointment Call or write the Embassy to make an appointment for a visa interview. Be sure you understand exactly when and at what time the interview is. Get there early to go through security and to relax. If you need to change the time or date, let the Embassy know in advance. Do not just not show up!

What Do I Bring to the Embassy?

Your passport--the original document so they can put your visa in it
The DS-2019 or I-20 from the university
Proof of SEVIS fee payment--the receipt you printed out when you paid the fee
A print-out of the DS156, just in case
The DS-157, already filled out (if you are male)
The DS-158, already filled out

Proof of sponsorship or ability to pay. This might be a letter from your scholarship or sponsor, a financial statement showing that your parents or sponsor has enough money to pay for you, a form from the university announcing you have a scholarship. If a relative or a businessman is sponsoring you, make sure you have some evidence that they have the money--financial statement, income tax statement, proof of registration and ownership of a big business. a photograph 5 cm by 5 cm attached to the DS-156. The photo should have a white background, it should show just your face, and you should not wear glasses or anything else that blocks your face.

Acceptance Letter from the University. So they know you really are accepted. Academic Documents like transcripts from universities or schools, TOEFL scores, SAT scores. If you already studied in the US, you definitely need your transcript from university. Why? So they know that you really are a student and that you plan to study in the US, not do business or move there to live permanently. Any other documents you think might be useful in proving that you are a student, that you will return home.

While you should always check with your Embassy first, if you follow this list you shouldn't have any problems getting a visa and going off to the US confidently.

Walton Burns is an English language teacher and university placement consultant in Astana, Kazakhstan. Check out his services at http://www.english.zendurl.com and more of his advice for international students and English language learners at http://www.english.zendurl.com/blog/Blog.html