VISA STEP-BY-STEP

1. Obtain your I-20 and with it your travel signature
2. Pay the SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) fee
3. Pay the visa fee at HDFC Bank
4. Complete the visa application form
5. Make a visa interview appointment
6. Attend your visa interview
7. Wait until your student visa has been approved and your passport has been returned to you

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED TO MAKE THE STUDENT VISA (Bring these to your interview as well)

• Financial reports and other documents that will support your application
  1. Providing evidence that you have sufficient funds to cover all tuition fees in the first year
  2. You must also have access to sufficient finance to cover all your living expenses in the United States
  3. ALL evidence of finances have to be legalised/authentic [NOT a fotocopy]
• If your finances come from the sponsor, then you must submit:
  1. Your birth certificate
  2. The sponsor's most recent original tax form
  3. The sponsor's bank book or certificate of deposit
  4. School documents to explain your recent educational background
     1. School transcripts (original copies) with grades
     2. Certificates of national examinations (SMA, etc.) or International Examinations (A-Levels, IB, AP, etc)
     3. English language tests (IELTS, TOEFL, SAT, etc.)
     4. Diplomas
• Online Non-immigrant Visa Electronic Application, Form DS-160
  • Visit https://www.ustraveldocs.com/id_bi/id-niv-ds160info.asp for more info
• A valid passport to travel to the US with a validity period of at least six months from the period of stay in the US (unless there is a specific inter-country agreement providing an exception).
  • If there is more than one person listed in one passport, each person must apply for a visa separately.
• One (1) photo measuring 2"x2" (5cmx5cm)
  • For photo specifications visit: https://www.ustraveldocs.com/id_bi/id-niv-photoinfo.asp
• Receipt showing payment for processing a non-immigrant visa application for a non-refundable amount of $160.00, to be paid in local currency.
  • Once the visa has already been issued, there may be an additional fees for issuing a reciprocal visa (visa reciprocity), depending on your nationality.
    • For Indonesians, this is $220 → Bring this during your interview [CASH is advisable]
  • An approved Form I-20 from UCLA with your committed program.

GENERAL QUESTIONS

1. What do we need to enter the country?
   1. Updated Fall 2022 I-20 (Winter/Spring is invalid) → Note that this is only valid for a year
   2. Passport
   3. F-1 Visa Stamp
   4. Proof of coursework (class schedule printout) is advisable
   5. Negative PCR Covid-19 Test (taken no more than 3 days before travel) is advisable but no longer required by the CDC
      1. Please note that some layovers still require the test
   6. I-91 Fee
   7. Proof of SEVIS payment
2. Will the Sinovac/Sinopharm suffice for vaccine?
   1. Proof of vaccination IS REQUIRED
3. Will quarantine measures be necessary once in LA?
   1. Not at the moment, but keep updated with specific travel restrictions
4. Will we need a social security number, and how do we get it?
   1. On-campus jobs can grant you access to an SSN
   2. You need an SSN to get paid legally