Most international students come to Brescia University with F-1 status, the most common category for full-time international students in the US. An F1 visa is issued to international students who are attending an academic program or English Language Program at a US college or university. F-1 students must maintain the minimum course load for full-time student status.
To apply for a visa, please see the steps below. Note, Canadian citizens with a valid passport do not need to apply for a visa; however, they still need to pay the SEVIS fee. Students transferring between schools in the US are not required to pay the SEVIS fee.
Step 1: Pay the SEVIS Fee
The SEVIS fee can be completed online. Visit SEVIS to learn more about how to pay the fee and obtain the receipt.
Step 2: Schedule a Visa Appointment at the U.S. Embassy in Your Home Country
Contact the U.S. embassy nearest to you to set up an appointment. Note, wait time for an appointment and visa issuance can vary.
Step 3: Prepare Documentation
Documentation includes Online Immigrant Visa Forms, I-20/ DS-2019, SEVIS payment receipt, photo, and financial documentation listing sources and amounts of financial support. Visit the Department of State for more information regarding preparing your documentation.
Step 4: Prepare for the Visa Interview
For information on how to prepare for the interview, there are a number of resources available online. The two cites below are examples of available online resources: