NONIMMIGRANT VISA SERVICES

F or M Student Visas

An applicant coming to the United States to study must be accepted for a full course of study by an educational institution approved by the Department of Homeland Security Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS). The institution must send the applicant either Form I-20a-b, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status for Academic and Language Students, or -- for nonacademic or vocational institutions -- Form I-20m-n, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (m-1) Student Status for Vocational Students.

Lebanese citizens and other nationals who wish to apply for student visas should follow the following steps:

• Register for an appointment at any branch of Credit Libanais Bank, where they must pay a $100 (or equivalent in Lebanese currency) non-refundable application fee. Both copies of the bank receipt must be presented at the time of the interview.
• Complete and sign DS-156 (electronic version) and DS-157 application forms, also obtainable from Credit Libanais Bank.
• All students and their dependents must also complete and sign form DS-158, obtainable from the Embassy.
• Attach a recent photograph to the application.
• Possess a passport, signed by the applicant and with a validity date at least six months beyond the applicant's intended period of stay in the United States. (Note: If more than one person is included in the passport, each person desiring a visa must make a separate application.)
• Original, signed form I-20a-b (for academic study) or I-20m-n (for vocational study).
• SEVIS electronic notification of approval.
• Evidence of funds to cover expenses in the United States.
• Applicants must establish to the satisfaction of the consular officer that they have binding ties to a residence in a foreign country which they have no intention of abandoning, and that they will depart the United States when they have completed their studies. It is impossible to specify the exact form the evidence should take since applicants' circumstances vary greatly.
• Original transcripts of grades from the three most recent years of study, including baccalaureate or university degree. All transcripts must be translated into English.
• TOEFL results if available.
• All applicants should bring a family extract showing the names of their parents and siblings, or, if married, a family extract showing the names of their spouse and children, with an English translation.
• Please be aware that U.S. regulations state that holders of F (academic study) and M (vocational study) nonimmigrant visas cannot be admitted to the United States until thirty days or less prior to the beginning of the program date, or start date, as listed on the I-20. Please consider that date carefully when making your travel plans to the United States.

A spouse and unmarried minor children may also be classified for a nonimmigrant visa to accompany or follow the student. Family members must meet all visa eligibility requirements, including evidence that they will have sufficient funds for their support and that they will depart the U.S. when the students' program ends. Spouses and children of students may not accept employment at any time.

An F-1 student may not accept off-campus employment at any time during the first year of study; however, BCIS may grant permission to accept off-campus employment after one year. F-1 students may accept on-campus employment from the school without BCIS permission. Except for temporary employment for practical training, an M-1 student may not accept employment.

U.S. law prohibits the issuance of student visas to persons planning to attend public elementary schools and publicly funded adult education programs. Law also restricts F-1 visas for public secondary schools (grades 7-12) to a maximum period of 12 months, and requires the applicant to reimburse the school for the full, unsubsidized per capita cost of the education before the visa may be issued. Applicants for F-1 visas who fall into this last category must present at their visa interview proof that they have fully reimbursed the school district.

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