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Welcome back to the US Embassy Doha's 'Ask a Consul' column! Each month, the US Embassy's Consular Section will answer your questions about visas and consular services. This month's focus is on student and exchange visas.
Q. I want to study in the United States. Where do I begin?
A. The US Embassy Doha welcomes all qualified students to apply for a student visa. We prioritise student visa appointments to ensure that students can arrive in the United States in time for their programme. Before applying for a visa, all student visa applicants are required to be accepted and approved by their school or programme. Once accepted, educational institutions will provide each applicant the necessary approval documentation to be submitted when applying for a student visa. The US Embassy offers free educational consultations through the EducationUSA office. To learn more, please contact [email protected]
Q. I have been accepted by a US educational institution for study in the United States. What visa category do I apply for?
A. Your course of study and the type of school you plan to attend determine whether you need an F visa or an M visa. If you have been accepted by a university or college, high school, private elementary school, seminary, conservatory, or another academic institution including a language training programme, you need to apply for visa category“F.” Your school must register you in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and you must pay the SEVIS fee and obtain an I-20 form from your school. Bring the receipt of payment and I-20 with you to the day of your interview.
Q. I am a continuing college or university student. Do I have to apply for a F visa again?
A. Continuing students may apply for a new visa at any time, as long as they have been maintaining status as an enrolled student in the United States and their SEVIS records are current. Continuing students may also enter the United States at any time before their classes or programmes start.
Q. I want to attend flight school in the United States. What visa category do I apply for?
A. If you have been accepted to a vocational or recognised non-academic institution — such as a flight school — then you need to apply for visa category“M.” Your school must register you in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and you must pay the SEVIS fee and obtain an I-20 form from your school. Bring the receipt of payment and I-20 with you to the day of your interview.
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- Ask the Consul: US Embassy Doha answers common queries
Q. What visa category do I apply for if I am participating in an exchange programme in the United States?
A. Individuals approved to participate in exchange visitor programmes in the United States should apply for visa category“J.” There are many categories for exchange visitors: au pair, camp counsellor, government visitor, intern, physician or doctor, teacher, research scholar, specialist, student semester or short-term exchanges, summer work and travel programme, and trainee. Visa applicants applying for“J” visa are required to bring to the interview a“Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status” known as the DS-2019 form obtained from your programme's office. The consular officer will sign this form, and you are required to present this at the port of entry to the immigration officer.
Q. Can I take my spouse and children on the student or exchange visa categories?
A. Yes. Spouses and children may accompany the principal applicant on“F2” or“M2” or“J2” visas. Each applicant needs a separate visa appointment and families may apply together if they can secure appointments at the same time.
Q. What happens after I have been issued a student or exchange visa?
A. A visa allows the ability to travel to the United States, however, it does not guarantee entry into the United States. The US immigration officers determine entry and length of stay in the United States. Once a visa holder arrives in the United States, the US Department of Homeland Security then takes over as the responsible agency for entry into the country, as well as issuing and enforcing international student regulations.
Q. My child or relative will study in the United States, and I want to accompany them or visit them. What type of visa should I apply for?
A. If your primary purpose of travel is to accompany or visit your child or relative at university, you should apply for a B1/B2 tourist visa. You can read more about our visa categories at .
Q. Can I get a Green Card after completing my education?
A. In general it is not possible to obtain a Green Card (permanent residency) directly through a student visa. However, some students, upon graduation, apply for a job and obtain an H1B work visa, and then apply for a Green Card through their employer.
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