This school is authorized under Federal law to enroll nonimmigrant alien students.

STEPS
1. Contact your local U.S. Consulate or Embassy
2. Schedule your interview appointment
3. Complete the visa application forms
4. Pay the visa application fee
5. Pay the $180 SEVIS fee
6. Prepare documents for the interview
7. The visa interview

If your visa is delayed or denied
After you obtain your J-1 visa

The procedures listed below are regulated by the U.S. Department of State. The International Student Office (ISO) at SVA can assist you with questions regarding your exchange visitor visa application procedures and visa related questions. Please feel free to contact iso@sva.edu with questions.

This information is for those who plan to enter the United States for the first time as an exchange student, visiting professor or research scholar. For information on bringing dependents to the U.S., returning to continue studies, or renewing your visa, or for more details on how to apply for an exchange visitor visa, please contact the International Student Office or refer to the U.S. Department of State website.

STEPS:

1. Contact your local U.S. Consulate or Embassy
Find out how long it takes to apply for a J-1 exchange visitor visa. You can find a list of U.S. Consulates and Embassies at http://usembassy.state.gov/

2. Schedule your interview appointment
After you receive the Form DS-2019 from SVA, follow the U.S. Consulate/Embassy's instructions to schedule an interview for your J-1 exchange visitor visa application. It is important to apply for your visa as far in advance as possible.  J-1 visas can be issued anytime before the beginning of the program.

Note for Canadian citizens:
Canadian citizens do not need a visa to enter the U.S. However, Canadian citizens who are enrolled in the exchange program are required to be in J-1 status in order to legally study in the U.S. In order to obtain J-1 status, you must show your Form DS-2019, supporting financial documentation, I-94 card, and proof of SEVIS fee payment to the immigration inspector at the port of entry when you enter the U.S.

3. Complete the following forms
You can obtain these forms at the U.S. Consulate or Embassy, or look for them online.
(Note: not all forms may be available to download.)

• DS-156 Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form
• DS-158 Contact Information and Work History for Nonimmigrant Visa Applicant
• DS-157 Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application
  (Only if you are male between the ages of 16 and 45)

4. Pay the visa application fee
Follow the instructions on your local U.S. Embassy or Consulate's web site to pay the $140 visa application fee.

5. Pay the $180 SEVIS fee (Only for initial visa requests)
You will need to pay the $180 SEVIS fee if you are applying for a J-1 exchange visitor visa for the first time.

You do not need to pay the $180 SEVIS fee if you are transferring your DS-2019 sponsorship from another SEVIS approved institution in the U.S, applying for an J-2 dependent visa, or have paid this fee and been denied a visa within the last twelve months.

To Pay Online:
Note: It is strongly recommended that you pay your SEVIS fee online and not by mail, which may take up to four weeks for processing.

• Access the Form I-901 online at: https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/
• Enter SVA's Program Number: PI05629. Your SEVIS ID Number starts with an N and is listed on the top right of your DS-2019.
• Complete the form online and supply the necessary Visa, MasterCard or American Express information. You may use credit cards that were issued in the U.S. or in your country. Be sure to write your name exactly how it appears on your DS-2019 form.
• Print a copy of the online receipt. Be sure to make copies of your receipt, and keep it with your other important immigration documents.

To pay by Western Union Quick Pay Service:

• Visit and print instructions from http://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/wu_instr.htm
• Find and go to a local participating Western Union Agent location.
• Request and fill out the blue form.
• You will be able to pay the fee in your local currency.

To pay the SEVIS fee by mail:

• Get a Form I-901 "Fee Remittance for Certain F, J, and M Nonimmigrants." (sent to you with your DS-2019.)
• Download the form from http://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/I-901.pdf
• Complete the Form I-901. Be sure to write your name exactly how it appears on your DS-2019 form.
• Prepare a check or international money order (drawn on US banks only) in the amount of $180 US dollars, made payable to "I-901 Student/Exchange Visitor Processing Fee."
• Mail the completed I-901 and payment to the address listed on Form I-901.
• A Form I-797 receipt confirmation letter should be mailed to you within 3 days of processing the fee. Be sure to make copies of this receipt letter, and keep it with your other important immigration documents.

  You must bring the receipt of the SEVIS fee payment with you to the interview. If you have lost the receipt, tell the Consulate or Embassy Officer about it. They should be able to view your payment history in their database.

6. List of Documents to prepare for the interview

• Your passport valid for at least six months
• SEVIS Form DS-2019 (You must sign the bottom of page 1)
• SVA's original letter of admission
• Completed visa application forms (DS-156, DS-158, and if applicable, DS-157)
• Two 2" x 2" photographs in the specified format
  (See the travel.state.gov web site)
• A receipt of the visa application fee payment
• A receipt for the SEVIS fee payment
• If you have not received an official receipt in the mail showing payment and you paid the SEVIS fee electronically, the consulate will accept the temporary receipt you printed from your computer. If you do not have a receipt, the consulate may be able to see your payment electronically if your fee payment was processed at least 3 business days before your interview.
• Financial evidence that shows you have sufficient funds to cover your tuition and living expenses during the period you intend to study.  You must bring the original and sufficient letter/statement from you or your sponsor's bank.
• Any information that proves that you will return to your home country after finishing your studies in the U.S. This may include proof that your family remains in your home country, or that you have a job to return to, or other ties to your community.

7. The Visa interview
Answer all questions clearly and honestly. The interview will be very short and a decision will be made quickly.

If your visa is delayed or denied
If you visa application is denied, please contact the International Student Office immediately so that we can assist you with the appeal procedure.  The most common reasons for visa denial are failure to prove sufficient ties to your home country or the lack of sufficient proof of financial support.

After you obtain your J-1 visa
New international students who are entering the U.S. for the first time on a J-1 visa can only enter the country 30 days prior to the start of classes. For the Fall 2010 semester at SVA, students may enter the country beginning August 8, 2010, and should arrive in the U.S. no later than the start of classes on September 7, 2010.  This 30-day rule does not apply to returning students who already have a J-1 visa.

Please note that you must carry your DS-2019 form with a valid passport and J-1 visa when entering the U.S.

(Reference: NAFSA: Association of International Educators)