STUDENT VISAS

(F-1, M-1)

The following guidelines have been prepared to help applicants understand the application process in the People's Republic of China.

Every year, the U.S. issues thousands of visas to Chinese students. Over 50,000 Chinese now study in the United States, and China now rivals Japan as the source of the largest number of foreign students seeking education in America. However, many of the students now applying, unlike their predecessors, do not have the same strong ties and promising prospects that will compel their return to China after graduation.

Please take a moment to read about the "Five Secrets of Applying for a U.S. Student Visa."  Please also read "U.S. Visa Officers Dispel Rumors."

Applicants for U.S. student visas should be aware that they must apply for their visas no earlier than 90 days before the date when they must report to the school in the United States. Student visa applications received more than 90 days before the report date to the new school will not be processed by the Embassy.

Important Criteria

To obtain a visa to study in the United States, applicants must demonstrate that:

• the sole (not just "primary") purpose of their travel is to pursue a program of study;
• they have the ability and intention to be a full-time student in the United States;
• they possess adequate funds to cover all tuition, living and anticipated incidental expenses without taking unauthorized employment;
• they have sufficiently strong social, economic, and other reasons to compel their departure from the United States upon completion of the projected program of studies.

Applicants interested in applying for a student visa should appear in person at the consular post having jurisdiction over the area where they currently live, work, or study. Interested parties (e.g. school representatives, relatives, friends, etc.) are welcomed to provide written information to the applicant to present during the interview, but may not accompany the applicant into the interview.

Applicants should bring with them:

• A receipt from any designated branch of CITIC Bank showing payment of the nonrefundable visa application fee, RMB 405 at the current exchange rate;

• Two completed OF-156 application forms, one in Chinese and one in English. Forms are available free of charge at CITIC Bank and on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov and http://www.usembassy-china.org.cn/. Please include the standard telegraphic code (STC) for Chinese characters on the application and two recent passport-sized photographs (3cm X 5cm) attached to the two application forms;

• A passport valid for at least six months after the intended date of departure from the United States;

• Documentation showing admission to an established institution of learning or other recognized place of study in the United States which has been authorized to enroll foreign students, as evidenced by the presentation of a completed and valid Form 1-20 (Certificate of Eligibility);

• Evidence of sufficient scholastic preparation and appropriate knowledge of the English language to undertake a full course of study in the institution of learning or other place of study at which you have been accepted. If knowledge of English is inadequate to pursue a full course of study, documentation must be submitted indicating that special arrangements have been made by the accepting institution for English language studies;

• Evidence of sufficient funds to cover expenses, or evidence that other arrangements have been made to provide for expenses. Possession of "sufficient funds" means the applicant is neither likely to become a public charge nor likely to engage in unauthorized employment while in the United States;

• Evidence establishing social, economic, and other ties that would compel the applicant's departure from the United States after a temporary and lawful stay.

It is extremely important for applicants to prepare carefully for the interview. The interview is brief, and usually must be conducted in English. The Embassy recommends against the use of visa-interview preparation books or prepared speeches. Consular officers have interviewed thousands of students, many of whom who have used the same manuals and speeches, and the use of such texts will not help applicants?chances. Similarly, any assistance in preparing English-language documents should be explicitly acknowledged.

Use of Intermediaries

The Embassy strongly cautions against use of intermediaries either by students searching for a school in America or by schools interested in recruiting Chinese students. Many of these agents have objectives that conflict with the interests of both students and schools.

We are aware of several cases in which disreputable agents have promoted inappropriate programs to prospective Chinese students and charged unreasonably high fees. We recommend that students carefully research the programs to which they plan to apply before committing any money to an agent or intermediary. Likewise, schools should be as involved as possible in the recruitment of their students. Many Chinese intermediaries bill study-abroad progr