Student and Exchange Visitor Visas

Congratulations!  You’ve been accepted to attend school in the U.S., and whether you will pursue an undergraduate degree, graduate studies or you are going to a public or private high school, you should feel very proud of this accomplishment.

While getting into U.S. schools is tough, getting a visa to attend school shouldn’t be. If you have all the proper documentation and have paid all fees, the U.S. Embassy can help facilitate your dream of studying in the U.S.  Nonetheless, all applicants for student visas must overcome the legal presumption that they intend to immigrate to the U.S.  During the visa interview, a prospective student visa holder must convince the consular officer that he or she fully intends to return to the home country upon completion of U.S. studies.

The student visa application is $131 U.S. (payable in Jamaican dollars at the exchange rate set by the U.S. Embassy) and can be paid at your nearest National Commercial Bank branch. 

Applicants can make an appointment via the call center or through our self service website.

How to access the Call Center:  Applicants may call 1-800-572-7780, Monday through Friday, 0800 hours to 1800 hours, except Jamaican or U.S. holidays. If you are calling from the US, you can reach the call center by dialling this US toll free number 1-888-243-4840.

How to access the Self Service Website:  Applicants can access the Website at:  www.usvisa-jamaica.com

Click on How to Make an NIV Interview Appointment for additional information. 

In addition to completing electronic versions of forms DS-156, DS-157, and DS-158, student and exchange visitor visa applicants must bring I-20 forms (for students) or DS-2019 forms (for exchange visitors) to the interview.  If the entry date shown on the I-20 has expired or expires before the interview process is complete, the student will need to obtain a new I-20 from the school.  Applicants must also show that they have enough funds to pay for their program (note: certain J visas are fully funded) and that they possess sufficient knowledge of english to pursue the intended course of study.  Applicants should be prepared to present the following:

• Scholarship/Grant/Loan information
• Affidavit of Support from their sponsor
• Most recent bank statement of either the student or the student’s sponsor
• Recent transcripts, standardized test scores and other evidence to prove that the applicant is a bona fide student whose main purpose of travel is to complete a course of study in the U.S.
• Receipt for payment of SEVIS fee.  The SEVIS fee can be paid through Western Union or on-line at:  https://www.fmjfee.com/index.jhtml.  SEVIS is a program run by the Department of Homeland Security.  The Embassy is not authorized to collect this fee on their behalf.

You must also present all regularly required documents:

• A passport valid for at least six months
• All previous U.S. visas in old passports (even if the visa and/or passport has expired or has been cancelled)
• Completed and signed visa application forms:
• DS-156 http://evisaforms.state.gov/
• DS-157 http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/forms/forms_1342.html
• DS-158 http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/forms/forms_1342.html (for students and exchange visitors only)
• One passport-sized photo (2” by 2” on white or off-white background).  This photo can not be more than 6 months old.
• “fee paid” receipt from the NCB in applicant’s name

For more detailed information on student visa requirements, regulations and guidelines, click on http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1268.html.

For more detailed information on exchange visitor visa requirements, regulations and guidelines, click on http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1267.html.

Visa Processing Times/U.S. Entry Information

Approved student and exchange visitor visas are returned to the applicant through a professional courier service generally within four (4) business days of the interview at the U.S. Embassy.

Please note: many additional factors, such as the need for special clearances, incomplete applications, and fraud investigations may influence the processing of individual cases.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security regulations state that holders of student or exchange visitor NIVs will not be admitted to the U.S. more than 30 days prior to the beginning of the program date, or start date, as stated on the Form I-20 student visas or DS-2019 (exchange visitor visas).  Applicants should consider that date carefully when making travel plans to the U.S.