Nonimmigrant Visas
Student and Exchange Visitor Visas (F, M and J visas)
The US Embassy in Baghdad will now accept all classes of Student and Exchange Visitor visa applications (F, M and J visas.)
Visa applications require administrative processing that is performed in Washington. We request that applications be submitted at least 120 days prior to the estimated date of departure
in order to complete all administrative processing. Visa issuance
cannot be guaranteed by a certain date. Periodically, administrative
processing is significantly longer than 120 days, especially during the busy summer travel season. For
students applying for study in Fall 2010, you must apply for your visa
before May 2009 if you wish to start classes in late-August.
How to Apply
I. EVIDENCE OF ACCEPTANCE BY THE SCHOOL or Program: The first step in applying for a student visa (F or M
visa) is to be accepted at a U.S. academic institution, and obtain from
the school a Certificate of Eligibility for Non-Immigrant Student
Status (I-20 form). Exchange visitors (J visa) will need a DS-2019
Form. These forms are issued by the institution, school or university
and show that you have been accepted for study there. These forms are
obtained by the student directly from the sponsoring institution and
should not be sent to the Embassy.
Sponsoring
academic institutions are required to enter accepted foreign students’
names into SEVIS, the Student and Exchange Visitors Information System.
No student or exchange visitor visas may be issued until the sponsoring
institution has entered the student’s name into the database, and it is
confirmed by the Embassy. Students should verify with their sponsoring
academic institutions that they are entered into SEVIS before they
apply for a visa.
Students are required to pay the SEVIS fee online at http://www.fmjfee.com before the visa may be issued.
II. APPLYING FOR A STUDENT [F&M] OR EXCHANGE VISITOR VISA [J]:
Regulations
mandate that all applicants renewing/applying for US visas appear for
interviews. To apply for a student visa, each applicant needs to
schedule an appointment for an interview in advance. At the time of the
interview, applicants MUST bring the following to the Embassy:
- An Iraqi D, E, or G-Series passport valid for travel to the United States.
- US $131 Non-Refundable MRV Interview Fee [waived for USG-funded J visa programs]
- Fully completed and signed application forms (DS-156 & DS-157 & Iraq Supplemental to the DS 157) for each applicant.
- A fully completed and signed DS-158 Form. (please link these to the EVAF page at http://iraq.usembassy.gov/iraq/evaf.html)
- National I.D. Card and a photo copy of the front and back.
- I-20 Form for F & M visa applicants and DS-2019 Form for J visa applicants.(Original and a copy)
- Proof of payment of SEVIS fee [waived for USG-funded J visa programs]
Dependents of J and F applicants do not have to pay the SEVIS fee. For more information see http://www.ice.gov/sevis/
- One photograph. For information about photograph requirements, please see http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/info/info_1287.html.
- Prepaid DHL envelope for return of passport after visa is printed. Please visit here for DHL information.
- Prior passports, if any.
- Proof of financial ability.
- Any documents which show applicant’s continuing ties to Iraq,
including family records, financial records, marriage certificates, etc.
- Complete and updated CV and list of publications
- For F1 undergraduate applicants: Certified transcripts from your high school
- For F1 graduate-level applicants and applicants planning scientific
and technology-oriented visits: Certified transcripts from post-high
school education.
- Any other documents that may be deemed pertinent to the application.
- For returning students of F and J : Transcripts from the current school in the U.S.
- Dependents of F and J: Need a separate I-20 and DS-2019 form respectively.
- For
Iraqi Government funded students, please provide Ministerial orders
from the Ministry of Higher Education certified by the MFA describing
your scholarship.
- For additional information on F & M visas, see http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1270.html
- For additional information on J visas, see http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1267.html
III. FINANCIAL SUPPORT:
Foreign students are not normally permitted to work while in the United
States. Sufficient funds must therefore be available to support the
student in the US. You must present documentary evidence of sufficient
funds for the entire period of study in the US.
PENALTIES FOR MISREPRESENTATION:
Please
keep in mind that your signature on any visa application form is your
guarantee that all information you provide is true and correct. You
are personally and legally responsible, even if someone else prepares
the documents for you. Any fraudulent documents or misleading
statements may result in your permanent ineligibility for any future
visa.
PLEASE NOTE:
Non-immigrant visas are issued only to applicants who can establish -
without a doubt - that they intend to return to their home country
after a temporary stay in the United States. This may be accomplished
by showing substantial ties (social, professional, financial, etc.) to
a country other than the United States. Under United States law the
responsibility for demonstrating valid reasons for travel and
substantial ties to a foreign country rests with the applicant. The
burden of proof in all cases lies with the applicant to overcome the
presumption that he or she intends to immigrate to the United States.
To request an appointment for a student or exchange visitor visa interview, please click here.
Please
note: Applicants must include a full work history and a full
educational history, including high school. Applicants must insure they
answer every question. If the answer does not apply, they must explain
or mark n/a. Incomplete applications will be returned and will result
in extended processing times.
