Guam
VISAS
Student Visas
Once you have been accepted to a program of study in the United States, you should apply for a student visa.
The Consulate General of the United States processes visa applications each working day, Monday through Friday (please keep in mind the visa section is closed on American and Mexican holidays). For instructions on how to schedule an appointment for a visa interview, please see "How to apply."
Before coming to the U.S. Consulate General on your appointment date, all applicants for F, J or M visas should have CONFIRMATION from the sponsoring institutions (school, program exchange site) that your name, as well as those of your relatives if applicable, have been added electronically to the SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System), and which confirms your acceptance in the school or exchange program. Neither student nor exchange visas can be issued until your data appears in the mentioned SEVIS system, thus, applicants should contact their respective sponsoring institutions.
F-1, M-1, and the majority of J-1 applicants, to whom I-20 or DS-2019 forms have been issued after September 1, 2004, must make an additional payment of $100 U.S. for SEVIS fees. This payment must be paid directly to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The payment should be made prior to the issuance of the visa. The fastest method to make this payment is by credit card or through the web site www.FMJfee.com designed by the DHS for this purpose. Click here for more information from DHS.
There are different types of visas depending on the duration of the program, your level, and the source of program finances, etc. In general, the following documents are required to apply for a student visa:
• Form I-20 (this form is compulsory and it is only sent to the student by the educational institutions accredited in the United States, and it is the only evidence of having been accepted in a program.) NOTE: having the required form I-20 does not guarantee visa issuance.
• Evidence of means to pay for the costs of the program – depending on the case, this proof will consist of documentation from the institution indicating that the program has been paid for, bank accounts, letters from sponsors or the applicant’s parents, etc.
• Proof of payment of the SEVIS fee as explained above.
You must also:
• Bring the receipt from bank BANAMEX indicating that you have paid the processing fee of $131 USD (paid in pesos).
• Bring your Mexican passport with a minimum validity of six months.
• Fill out and print the Visa Application Form (DS-156) on the Internet.
• Fill out and print the Contact Information and Work History for Non-Immigrant Visa Applicants (DS-158) for students on the Internet.
• If you are male between 16 and 45 years of age, you must also fill out and print the Supplementary Application Form (DS-157) on the Internet.
You may also be required to bring proof of your English language proficiency, grades from previous educational institutions, bank statements, recommendation letters, or any other documents.
The program or school you wish to attend should offer detailed information; you may wish to contact the Center for Educational Counseling for additional information.
During vacation periods, appointments for student visas are usually scheduled up to two weeks after you make the request, and approved student visas are delivered to the applicant between a week and 10 days after the appointment date. Please make all the necessary arrangements for your visa well before your scheduled travel date.
For more information, see "How to Apply".