Information for Students

The Immigration and Nationality Act provides two nonimmigrant visa categories for persons wishing to study in the United States. The “F” visa is for academic studies, and the “M” visa is for nonacademic or vocational studies. In order to qualify for a student visa, an alien must meet the following requirements:

To apply for a student visa for academic or language study, an alien must have been accepted for the purpose of pursuing a full course of study in an academic institution approved by the Attorney General. The student must present to the consular officer an original form I-20A-B, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status for Academic and Language Students,” properly completed and signed by the alien and the designated school official. To apply for a student visa for vocational studies, an alien must have been accepted for the purpose of pursuing a full course of study in a nonacademic institution approved by the Attorney General. The student must present a form I-20M-N, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (M-1) Student Status – For Vocational Students,” property completed and signed by the alien and the designated school official. All applicants must also submit a completed Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form DS-156, supplemental form DS –157 (for male applicants ages 16 to 45), and the DS-158.

Persons applying for student visas must pay the SEVIS fee before their interview date. Instructions for paying the SEVIS fee can be found online at www.fmjfee.com. Please review the SEVIS Fact Sheet for more information.

An F-1 student visa applicant must present documentary evidence that sufficient funds are, or will be, available from a specifically identified and reliable financial source to defray all living and school expenses during the entire period of anticipated study in the United States. Specifically, the applicant must present credible documentary evidence that he or she has enough readily available funds to meet all expenses for the first year of study, and that, barring unforeseen circumstances, adequate funds will be available for each subsequent year of study. The M-1 student visa applicant must have evidence that sufficient funds are immediately available to pay all tuition and living costs for the entire period of intended stay.

The student visa applicant must have successfully completed a course of study normally required for enrollment at the level of study contemplated. The student, unless coming to participate exclusively in an English language training program, must either be sufficiently proficient in English to pursue the intended course of study, or the school must have made special arrangements for English language courses, or for teaching the course in the student’s native language.

Student visa applicants must establish to the satisfaction of the consular officer that they have a residence in a foreign country, which they have no intention of abandoning, and that they will depart the United States upon termination of their student status.

A spouse or child of a student may also be classified for a nonimmigrant visa to accompany or follow the principal applicant. Family members must meet all visa eligibility requirements, including the presentation of evidence that they will have sufficient funds for their support, and that they will depart the United States upon termination of the student program.

An F-1 student may not accept off-campus employment at any time during the first year of study. Under certain circumstances, the Department of Homeland Security may grant permission to accept off-campus employment after one year. F-1 students may accept on-campus employment from the school without Immigration Service permission. Except for temporary employment for practical training, an M-1 student may not accept employment. Spouses and children of students may not accept employment at any time.

The United States government and many private organizations sponsor a wide variety of exchange programs. These include academic and cultural exchanges, as well as au pair programs and summer work and travel programs. In addition to the standard set of documents for a nonimmigrant visa application, J1 visa applicants should also submit the original form DS-2019 (Certificate of eligibility for NIV Exchange Visitor), which is provided by the U.S. organization or sponsor. All Exchange Visitors must also complete form DS-158 and submit it with the visa application.

Persons applying for exchange visas must pay the SEVIS fee before their interview date. Instructions for paying the SEVIS fee can be found online at www.fmjfee.com . Please review the SEVIS Fact Sheet for more information.

Summer Work and Travel Program 2008

I. Applicants

• To qualify as a participant, the applicant must be currently enrolled in a regular (day-time) full course of study at a Russian university or institute. The applicant must demonstrate his/her primary occupation is as a student.

• First and final year students are eligible to apply this season. However, these groups of applicants, particularly students graduating before departure to the U.S., will face much greater scrutiny and have much more difficulty proving sufficient ties to Russia to overcome the presumption of immigrant intent.

• Need to demonstrate English proficiency at a level at which they can successfully perform their job and live in the U.S.

• Students from other countries who study in Russia may participate in the program.

• There is no more restriction on the number of times a student may participate in SWT programs, although we encourage students to select different locations for repeat participation.

We strongly discourage applicants who fall into the following categories:
• Graduate and post-graduate students;
• Students who are not of normal student age.

II. Procedures
Students may apply either independently (through a State Department-approved sponsor agency) or through designated local overseas partners approved by the Consulate General for the Summer Work and Travel Program in 2008. Students who wish to participate may proceed in one of three different ways:
1) They may independently contact U.S. sponsor agencies (please see the State Department-approved sponsor agency list: http://exchanges.state.gov/jexchanges/) to obtain employment offers and a signed, original DS-2019 form. Independent applications must be completed during the “Open Season” period from January 14 to March 7.
2) They may work independently through non-designated local overseas partners to obtain employment offers and a signed, original DS-2019 form. The non-designated local overseas partners must provide evidence of a valid contract with approved U.S. sponsor agencies. Applicants should include copies of these contracts in their applications. Independent applications must be completed during the “Open Season” period from January 15 to March 7.
3) They may work through one of thirteen designated local overseas partners (see below) to obtain employment offers and a signed, original DS-2019 form. (Note: this list is subject to change in 2009).
• Sindbad International Exchange Center
• International Exchange Center – Kaliningrad
• Artek Tour
• St. Petersburg Polytechnical University
• Interbridge
• St. Petersburg International Exchange Center
• TSMO St. Petersburg
• Stock Company Forum
• Candidate Ltd.
• STAR Travel
• PROSTO Tour
• AmerEx
• NewWorkCity

III. Open Season: January 14 – March 7, 2008

Students applying independently should submit application packets to Pony Express between January 14 and March 7, 2008 that include:
• An original, signed DS-2019;
• The original, signed visa application forms DS-156 (with an attached color photo of the applicant against a light background taken within last six months), DS-157 (for male students), and DS-158;
• A student spravka which indicates the name of the school, class year, faculty of study, and contact information for the dean of the faculty (address and telephone/s);
• An original travel passport;
• The $131 application fee (payable in Russian roubles).
The following documents are required for the visa interview:
• Any previously valid, original travel passports (if an applicant has traveled to the United States);
• A student identification card;
• A student academic record book;
• A SEVIS receipt (indicating payment of the $35 fee).

General Information for Students and Exchange Visitors