TRANSCRIPT OF THE PODCAST
ASK THE CONSUL: STUDENT VISAS

24 April 2007

Hello. My name is Landon Taylor, and I'm the Consul General here at the American Embassy in Kyiv. I'd like to speak to you a little bit about U.S. student visas.

Each year, the United States welcomes more than half a million foreign students. The U.S. is the biggest destination country for foreign students and we believe that is in both the interest of the United States and Ukraine that more Ukrainian students study in the United States - it broadens the horizons of both the Ukrainian students coming to the U.S. and the American students who will be their classmates. The State Department encourages foreign students from all countries to choose to study in the United States, and we continue to take vigorous steps to attract more Ukrainian students to study in the U.S.

What steps has the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv taken to assist students?

We have taken several steps to streamline student visa processing in Kyiv. Each afternoon we reserve exclusive interview slots for student visa applicants and recently we changed our appointment schedule to accommodate even more student visa applicants.

What are the requirements for a student visa?

An applicant applying for a student visa must meet four requirements in order to qualify: first, he or she must be accepted at the school of his or her choice; second, the student and his or her family must possess sufficient funds to cover tuition, room and board and other expenses; third, he or she must complete the minimum preparation for the course of study; and fourth, the student must show a present intent to leave the U.S. after graduation.

Acceptance at a school means that you have applied and been accepted to an accredited university in the U.S. The second requirement, possessing sufficient funds to pay for the education expenses, means that you must demonstrate during your visa interview that you have enough financial resources, either through scholarships, stipends, or family resources, to pay your tuition, books, and living expenses while studying in the U.S. The third requirement, having the minimum preparation for the course of study, means that you have already taken courses in your intended subject area, completed an undergraduate degree or otherwise are fully prepared for your chosen course of study. Consular officers usually rely on the accepting university to determine if the minimum preparation requirement has been met. And fourth, having the present intent to leave the U.S. at conclusion of studies, means that you must explain to the consular officer at your interview why will return to Ukraine at the completion of your studies in the United States.

Specifically, what paperwork is required to apply for a student visa?

First, all student visa applicants must have a SEVIS generated - SEVIS is the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System - and every student must have a Form I-20 generated through that system, obtained from a U.S. college, school or university, which they then submit when applying for their student visa. The consular officer will need to verify your Form I-20 electronically through the SEVIS system in order to process your student visa application.

In addition to the SEVIS I-20 A and B Form (both the original and a photocopy), applicants need to bring their Electronic Visa Application Form, or EVAF, the so called DS-156 form. And, for males between the ages of 16 and 45, they also must bring a DS-157 supplemental information form. Those participating in exchange programs should also bring the DS-158 form. You also need a recent photograph, 5x5cm in size, and evidence of funds to cover your tuition and expenses.

Once you've been accepted to a university in the U.S. and have your SEVIS-generated I-20 form, you should call the call center and schedule your appointment right away. The Call Center's number is 044-207-7071 and its hours of operation are Monday-Friday from 8am to 6pm.

If you have any other questions about student visas, please send us an e-mail. Thank you.