Visa Categories

Student Visas (F-1, M-1 Visas)

• If you are a returning student who needs to renew your visa, please click here for special procedures. 
• If you are going to the U.S. for a year abroad, travel/work study program, or an internship through an exchange organization that has issued you a DS-2019 form, click here for more information about J-1 visas.
• If you work for a U.S. educational institution or exchange program, click here for more information on our weekly Education Hour question and answer session.
• If you are the dependent of someone on a student visa and are applying to join him/her, click here.
• If you are a parent of a student in the U.S. and would like to visit your child, click here for more information about B-1/B-2 visas.

An F-1 visa is for students who are admitted to degree-seeking academic programs at a qualified U.S. institution. An M-1 visa is for students who are admitted to non-academic or vocational study or training programs. Before you make your visa appointment, you will need the following:

• An acceptance letter from your school offering you admission.
• An I-20 form issued by that school with your information and SEVIS number on it.
• A receipt showing that you have enrolled in the SEVIS program and paid the fee.
• Information and supporting documents showing how you will pay the tuition, living expenses, and other fees listed on the I-20.
• Original copies of your transcripts from the school you most recently attended along with certified English translations.
• Results of any exams or tests you were required to take to gain admission to your school.
• A completed DS-156 application form including two 5cmx5cm photos.
• If you are over 16, A completed DS-157 application form.
• A completed DS-158 form.
• Any other supporting documents you feel proves that you have the skills and background necessary to successfully complete your course of study.

Please remember that providing all these documents does not guarantee you a visa. You must also prove that your sole (not just "primary") purpose of travel is to pursue a program of study; you have the ability and intention to be a full-time student in the United States; you possess adequate funds to cover all tuition, living and anticipated incidental expenses; and you have sufficiently strong social, economic, and other reasons to compel your departure from the United States upon completion of your studies.

English Ability: During the interview, the Officer will assess your ability to speak English and make sure that it is consistent with the information on your I-20. Refusing to speak English may cause the Officer to doubt that your sole purpose is to study in the U.S. If your I-20 states that language instruction will be given at the school, you will not be expected to speak fluently. But in general, successful students will already have begun to improve their English before they arrive in the United States.

A note on immigrant petitions: Although having an immigrant petition on file will not exclude you from obtaining a student visa, it will make it more difficult to prove that your sole intent is to study and that you intend to return to China after completion of your studies. Please be open and honest with the interviewing Officer about any immigrant petitions you may have. Concealing a petition from the Officer or any misrepresentation of your circumstances could lead to a denial of your visa or even bar you permanently from entering the United States.

The 120/30 day rule:  By law, the Consular Section cannot issue visas to qualified students more than 120 days in advance of the start date listed on the I-20 form. You may apply more than 120 days in advance, but the consulate will have to hold your visa until the proper date. You should also be aware that in general the immigration authorities in the United States will not admit students more than 30 days in advance of their start dates. Please consider these facts when making your application and travel plans.

Administrative processing (the “check”): Some student visa applicants are subject to additional security processing based on the subject matter they intend to study and/or their backgrounds. In order to make this additional processing proceed as quickly and smoothly as possible, we suggest that you bring the following to your interview (all documents must be in English): 

• Your resume or curriculum vitae including a list of all published research articles.
• A detailed research plan.
• A copy of your advisor’s web page.

This processing can take six weeks or longer to complete. Please keep this in mind when making your application and travel plans. The Shanghai Consulate has no method of expediting or speeding-up this processing.

Returning Student Information

If you are a returning student, you will need to obtain a new visa if you leave the U.S. and your previous visa is expired.  You must have a valid I-20.  You will also need to provide an official copy of your transcripts and a letter from your school indicating you maintained proper student status.

If you are in the U.S., and your visa has expired, you may stay in the U.S. as long as you have a valid I-20.  You will only need to obtain a new visa after your departure from the U.S. should you need to return to school.

For more information about how to use the frequent traveler program to renew your visa, click here.

To make an appointment for a visa interview please contact the Visa Information Call Center.