Nepalese Students Association

Student Visa Information

In order to study in the United States, you first must apply to study at a college or University approved by the USCIS to accept foreign students. The U.S. Education Foundation (USEF)in Gyaneshwor has a library of resources about Universities and colleges in the United States, and can help you determine which schools offer the subjects you are interested in studying and which may be able to provide financial aid. Though they cannot recommend individual schools, the counselors at USEF can advise you about opportunities for study in the United States, application requirements and university life, and can help you to choose the type of program best suited to your plans. Preparatory exams such as the TOEFL, GMAT and SAT are also offered at USEF.

If you are accepted to a school in the U.S., the school should send you Form I-20 or Form DS-2019, depending on the type of program that has accepted you. Once you have your I-20 or DS-2019 you can apply for a visa to study in the U.S. You should follow the General Instructions for Application in order to be scheduled for an appointment with a consular officer. You should take a copy of your I-20 with you to Nabil Bank Maharajgunj branch, Kathmandu (Behind Namaste Supermarket) when you pay the application fee.

Preparing For Your Interview

On the day of your interview, you will have to prove to the interviewing consular officer's satisfaction that you are planning to be a full-time student in the United States, and that you will otherwise abide by the terms of your visa. Typically, consular officers will want to see evidence that you have been a serious student in the past and that you or your family can afford to pay the tuition and living expenses for the school you have chosen. You must bring your original I-20 or DS-2019 with you to your interview.
Other than Form I-20 or DS-2019, there are no specific documents required for a student visa application. However, the following documents are typically quite important in establishing your eligibility for a student visa and should be brought with you to your interview, even if you have already submitted the information to the school or University you are hoping to attend:
* academic transcripts from all of your prior schools (SLC and Intermediate (10+2) level exams are the minimum requirements for most colleges or Universities in the United States),
* exam results from any preparatory tests you may have taken, such as the TOEFL, SAT or GRE,
* financial documents demonstrating your ability to afford the tuition and living expenses for the school you have chosen. (A simple balance statement from a bank account is usually not sufficient. Consular officers will usually ask to see a six-month history of transactions from any bank account you will be using to fund your education.)