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NonImmigrant visas
Non-Immigrant Visas
Student and Exchange Visitor Visas
If you want to study in the U.S. you should contact educational institutions directly to submit an application to the institution of your choice. After you are accepted for study, the institution will issue form I-20 or form DS-2019 and send it to you. One of those forms is required for each student or exchange visitor visa applicant, and you must bring it to the visa interview. Please do not send it to the consular section by post, fax or e-mail.
Required documents:
• Original, current form I-20 (F/M visa applicants) or form DS-2019 (J visa applicants)
• A completed form DS-156 with barcode generated online at http://evisaforms.state.gov/
• A completed form DS-157 (only for male applicants aged 16 to 45 years) available online at http://www.state.gov/m/a/dir/forms/.
• A completed form DS-158, available online at http://www.state.gov/m/a/dir/forms/.
• A current passport that will be valid for at least six months after you plan to arrive in the US.
• One 5cm x 5cm photograph with a white background.
• Application fee of USD $131 (or CFA equivalent). Those who are issued visas may have to pay an additional issuance fee, depending on the type of visa and the nationality of the applicant.
• Receipt showing payment of the $200 SEVIS fee (from https://www.fmjfee.com, see note below).
• Financial evidence of income (salary or other incoming revenue, not assets in the bank) sufficient to pay for your entire studies in the U.S. This should include enough readily available funds to meet all expenses for the first academic year (not required for returning students).
• Transcripts and diplomas from previous educational institutions attended (not required for returning students)
• Scores from standardized tests required by the educational institution such as the TOEFL, SAT, GRE, GMAT, etc. (not required for returning students)
Please note that possession of the above documents does not guarantee visa issuance. Visa issuance or denial is still determined by means of an oral interview in which an applicant’s eligibility for a visa is evaluated. Among the requirements is that the consular officer be convinced that you fully intend to complete your student program and return to your home country at the end.
SPECIAL NOTICE - Please allow extra time to pay the SEVIS fee as applicants in Cameroon can only pay by money order or check drawn against a U.S. bank. See www.fmjfee.com for details. Student visa holders (type F, M or J) will not be admitted to the United Sates more than thirty days prior to the beginning of your program date, or start date, as given on your form I-20 (for F or M visas) or DS-2019 (for J visas). Please consider that date carefully when making your travel plans to the United States.
The visa application process is straightforward and there is no need to pay for additional services. Please inform the Embassy if someone asks for a bribe so that we can take appropriate action