It is a priority for the State Department to ensure that all qualified F, M, and J applicants (students and exchange visitors) have the opportunity to start their programs in time. If you belong to one of these categories and need to expedite your visa process, please click on Expedited Visa Appointments for Student and Exchange Visa Applicants.
Student (f-1) and Non-Academic (M-1) visas
There are several different visa types for applicants who wish to study in the United States. Each of these visas requires different kinds of forms from the school in the United States. The two visa types described below require an I-20 form from the school or institution in the United States. If you have a DS-2019 form or are applying for a younger student (in elementary school or high school) please see the sections of this Web site for Exchange Visitors or Younger Students.
In order to qualify for a student visa, applicants for student visas must show sufficient knowledge of English to study or prove that the school will offer language training and prove access to sufficient funds to cover all expenses while studying in the United States.
Remember that a visa is not a guarantee of entry to the United States. The immigration officer at the port of entry determines whether or not you may enter and the authorized duration of stay.
Please note: U.S. law requires that applicants for nonimmigrant visas, including student visas, provide evidence that they don't intend to immigrate to the United States. Consular officers at U.S. embassies and consulates determine eligibility on an individual basis on the merits of each case. Because each person's personal situation is different, people applying for the same kind of visa may be asked different questions and be required to submit different documents. Applicants should bring at least the required documents listed below as proof of their ties to Israel and their proposed studies in the United States, but consular officers may also request additional information or documentation depending on their assessment of each person's situation.
F-1 Visas
In order to receive an F-1 visa to study or conduct research at an accredited college or university in the United States, even if you are applying to renew a current student visa, you must apply for a visa and schedule a visa interview just as you would for any other visa type. In order to apply for an F-1 visa, you will need the original form I-20 A-B from your school signed by you and a school representative. In addition, you will need to pay the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee.
Students studying at primary or secondary schools will also need an F-1 visa. Please see the section on Younger Students for more information.
If you will be engaging in technical or scientific research, please read Applicants with a Technical or Scientific Background and be sure to bring in the requested documents.
M-1 Visas
In order to receive an M-1 visa to pursue a course of study that is not principally academic in nature at an established vocational or other recognized nonacademic institution, such as a post secondary vocational or business school in the United States, even if you are applying to renew a current student visa, you must apply for a visa and schedule a visa interview just as you would for any other visa type. In order to apply for an F-1 visa, you will need the original form I-20 M-N from you school. In addition, you will need to pay the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee.
Required Documents for F-1 and M-1 Students
Applicants must come to the visa interview with required visa application forms and photo, a current passport valid for at least six months after your entry to the United States, the receipt for the processing fee from the post office, and the receipt of SEVIS payment. You should also bring any previous passports with U.S. visas.
Before applying for an F-1 or M-1 visa you will need to receive the original I-20 document from your school, signed by you and the designated school official. You must bring the original of this document to the Embassy for your visa interview in order to receive a visa.
In addition to the I-20 form, you should also bring financial evidence showing that you have sufficient funds to cover your tuition and living expenses for at least your first year of intended study (i.e., original financial statement from a bank, income tax certificate, proof of scholarship). If you have a U.S. sponsor, you may bring the sponsor's yearly income tax return to show that he can fulfill his financial obligation for your education. If your parents are paying, you may bring documents from their place of employment or a financial statement from their bank to demonstrate that they can cover the cost of your first year in the United States.
Keep in mind that applicants for student visas must still prove their intention to return to Israel. In order to show significant ties to Israel, applicants may wish to bring some of the following documents:
Applicants who are employed can bring:
- A typed, original letter from your current or future employer on company stationery stating the length of time you have worked for the company and information concerning the employee's future employment with the company; and
- The three most recent salary slips from the current job. Bank statements cannot be substituted for proof of regular income from current employment.
Applicants who are self employed can bring:
- A copy of the business incorporation document, a copy of the business license, copies of sales receipts and payroll records; and
- A typed, signed letter from the business's accountant that details the type of business, years in operation and net monthly profit.
Applicants who are students can bring:
- Receipt of tuition payment;
- Letter of enrollment or acceptance; and
- Academic transcripts.
Applicants applying with their families should also bring marriage and birth certificates to prove the relationship to the principal F-1 or M-1 applicant.
Please note: Presenting fraudulent documents, or making false or misleading statements on the application form or to the interviewing officer, can result in you becoming permanently ineligible for any type of U.S. visa.
SEVIS Fee
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) is designed to help the Department of Homeland Security and Department of State better monitor school and exchange programs and F, M and J category visitors. Exchange visitor and student information is maintained in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). SEVIS is an Internet-based system that maintains accurate and current information on non-immigrant students (F and M visa), exchange visitors (J visa), and their dependents (F-2, M-2, and J-2). SEVIS enables schools and program sponsors to transmit mandatory information and event notifications via the Internet, to the Department of Homeland Security and Department of State (DOS) throughout a student or exchange visitor's stay in the United States. Select SEVIS to go to the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Internet site and learn more.
You will need to pay the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee if your program began after September 1, 2004. If you are a continuing or returning student, you should consult your school or program organizers in the United States to confirm whether or not the SEVIS fee is required or has been paid.
Applicants must bring proof of payment to their visa interviews. See Visa Fees for more information on SEVIS.
Working in the United States on F and M Visas
Holders of M-1 visas may only engage in employment if it is a required part of their practical training and if the employment has been approved in advance by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
It is possible in certain limited circumstances for the holder of an F-1 visa to obtain permission to work in the United States. You may not work off campus at all during the first year of study on an F-1 visa. However, if the university gives its permission, you may accept work on campus. After the first year in student status you may apply for employment off campus as long as you have obtained authorization from USCIS. Please contact your student advisor for further information.
Families of F-1/M-1 Visa Holders
Children under 21 years old and spouses of F-1 or M-1 visa applicants may apply for "derivative" visas (F-2 or M-2) to accompany or follow to join the principal applicant in the U.S. Derivative visas are unavailable to the parents, in-laws or adult sons and daughters of the principal applicant.
See How to Apply for more information. We strongly encourage accompanying family members to apply with the principal applicant. F-2 and M-2 applicants will need to bring the necessary application forms to the interview, as well a photo, a current passport valid for at least six months after your entry to the United States, and the receipt for the processing fee from the post office for each application. You will also need to bring the original I-20 forms for each F-2 or M-2 applicants. F-2 and M-2 applicants do not need to pay the SEVIS fee.
F-2/M-2 children under 14 do not need to come to the Embassy. Their visa applications should be brought to the Embassy by their parents when they apply for their own F-1/F-2/M-1/M-2 visas.
Applicants for F-2 and M-2 visas must bring proof of their relationship to the primary F-1 or M-1 visa holder, as well as proof of the F-1 or M-1’s bona fide, full-time student/exchange visitor status if the primary applicant is already in the U.S. (i.e. transcripts, letter of enrollment, copy of valid/current I-20).
You must also bring proof of financial support for your family while in the United States.
F-2 spouses may study while in the United States but are not permitted to work. The children of F-1 holders are allowed to attend either public or private schools in the United States on F-2 visas.
Entry and Length of Stay
The Embassy can issue F-1/F-2 and M-1/M-2 visas to new students up to 120 days before classes begin. Continuing students may apply for new F or M visas at any time, as long as they have maintained their student status and their SEVIS records are current.
The holder of a student F-1 or M-1 visa may enter the United States up to 30 days before the designated registration date on the I-20A-B or I-20M. The 30-day limitation does not apply to students returning to resume studies; they may enter the U.S. at any time.
When you enter the United States on a student visa, you will usually be admitted for the duration of your student status. That means you may stay as long as you are a full time student, even if the F-1 visa in your passport expires while you are in America. The holder of an F-1 visa may remain in the United States for up to 60 days following the completion of the course or practical training.
The holder of an M-1 visa may remain in the United States for the period of time it will take to complete the course of study as indicated on the I-20 plus 30 days, or for one year, whichever is less.
If you wish to remain longer that this time, you will be required to apply for an adjustment of status or extension of stay from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services having jurisdiction over your place of residence in the United States.
Optional Practical Training
Students are eligible for up to twelve months of Optional Practical Training (OPT) following the completion of all the courses required for graduation. OPT is separate for a student’s academic work and is usually not included in the determination of the end date of the student’s program. A student applying for a visa to do OPT may have an I-20 with an end date that has already passed. The designated school official must annotate the I-20 to reflect approval of an OPT program that extends beyond the end of the regular academic program.
Applicants with a Technical or Scientific Background
Visa applications for persons who work or study in certain sensitive scientific and technical fields may be subject to additional processing. The process, on average, takes approximately three to four weeks to complete. Applicants with scientific or technical backgrounds may be affected by these clearance procedures.
Applicants who present detailed information at the time of interview help us process their cases more expeditiously and efficiently. Information that the officer will need in order to process the case will vary from applicant to applicant, but generally we suggest that applicants be prepared to present the following detailed information, in writing, to the officer at the time of interview:
- A detailed description of applicant’s current business, research or study program interests.
- Applicant’s current position and location of current work (including address and phone number).
- The address, website addresses, and contact information of the company and/or institution that the applicant intends to visit in the U.S.
- The point of contact at the company and/or institution.
- Details about the business, research or studies the applicant plans to conduct in the U.S.
- Details about the source of funding for the trip.
- Location of continuing work upon return from the U.S.
- Location and manner in which the applicant will use the goods or knowledge acquired in the U.S.
- Complete CV/resume for applicant.
- List of the applicant’s publications, if any.
- Letter(s) of invitation from U.S. sponsor(s).
- Letter of support from the financial sponsor.
- Export license numbers covering the activity, if relevant.
If traveling to the United States in service of an ACTIVE CONTRACT or SUBCONTRACT between your company and the U.S. Government, please contact the U.S. Defense Contract Management Agency prior to the visa interview, at 09-960-1234 and request a letter of confirmation from them.
Non-refundable flight reservations and other travel plans should not be made until you receive a visa to the United States.
Expedited/Emergency Appointments for Student and Exchange Visa Applicants
Expedite or emergency request can be submitted ONLY after you successfully schedule an interview appointment on the first available date.
Expedited Appointment: If you have already scheduled an interview appointment through the Internet, please log in to your account using your username and password you previously created. After accessing the system, you will be automatically directed to the "My Info Page" containing the "Request an Emergency Appointment" link. An answer to your request will be sent to your email within 1-2 days.
If you have scheduled your interview appointment through the call center, please contact the call center agents and ask them to submit an emergency request on your behalf.
Emergency Appointment: If you have less than 3 business days left until your departure, you can submit the emergency appointment request directly to the Embassy via email NIVTELAVIV@STATE.GOV. In order to eliminate unnecessary delays in processing of your request, please provide all relevant details in your email and attach supporting documentation.
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