Study in the United States

Our Student Policy is based on the democratic values of an open society and the general perception that foreign students make an important contribution to our nation's intellectual and academic climate as well as to our nation's economy... Our free and open society will continue to attract talented young people seeking greater educational opportunities as well as those seeking political, economic and social freedoms. Foreign students make a tremendous contribution to American society and we must continue to nurture this vital relationship even as we improve the security of our borders. Because of the events of September 11, the U.S. and other countries have initiated new procedures for security which affect all world travelers. Student and exchange visitor visa applicants are subject to the existing and new special clearance procedures that apply to most categories of non-immigrant visas. All students and other travelers seeking visas should begin procedures approximately two months in advance of travel. If you are a Brazilian student planning to study in the U.S., please contact your local binational center's advising office.

Student Visa Applications

Student visa applicants or those participating in exchange programs must present a valid I-20 or DS-2019 form, completed and signed (such forms come from the school in the US), the confirmation page of online visa application form DS-160 and proof of financial ability to pay education and lodging costs. Students who plan to study in a public high school in the United States in F-1 status (with an I-20 form) must present additional documentation before a visa can be issued. If the visa is granted, there is an extra fee of US$40.00

To all recipients of F, M, or J student or exchange visitor visa

Please be aware the United States Department of Homeland Security regulations state that holders of F, M or J nonimmigrant visas will not be issued a visa unless they have been registered by the school in the Homeland Security's Registration System, called SEVIS. In addition, anyone with an F, M or J visa will not be admitted to the United Sates more than thirty days prior to the beginning of your program date, or start date, as given on your form I-20 (for F or M visas) or DS-2019 (for J visas). Please consider that date carefully when making your travel plans to the United States. For example, if your program start date is May 01, you may only travel to the United States on or after April 02.

SEVIS Fee

Persons applying for F, J and M visas must pay the SEVIS fee before applying for their visas.

In most cases, the SEVIS fee is a one-time fee for persons applying for F, J or M visas and covers the costs of administering the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and related enforcement efforts. Persons who subsequently participate in a different program will have to pay another SEVIS fee pertaining to the new program, as applicable.

Attention: The SEVIS fee has been set as US$200.00. Certain short-term exchange visitors (au pairs, summer work/travel and camp counselors) will pay a reduced fee, US$35.00.
The SEVIS fee can be paid at the website http://www.fmjfee.com/

Information Regarding Foreign Students Attending Public Secondary Schools

The U.S. Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (IIRIRA), which went into effect on November 30, 1996, places several restrictions on foreign students who wish to attend U.S. public schools and/or publicly funded adult education programs. The IIRIRA prohibits the issuance of F-1 (student) visas for attandance at public elementary schools or publicly funded adult education programs, regardless of ability to pay. While the law still allows for issuance to students who wish to attend public secondary school (grades 9-12), the student must now pay the full, unsubsidized per capita cost of their education and are limited to attending the school for a maximum period of 12 months. Due to the provisions of the law outlined above, students soliciting a visa for attendance at a U.S. public school must submit additional documentation as outlined below:

1. An I-20 specifying the total unsubsidized cost of tuition.
2. A notarized letter, on school letterhead, specifying the full unsubsidized per capita cost of the student's education. This letter must constain the sentence "The full unsubsidized per capita cost of the student's course of study is $_________".
3. A receipt, issued by the school, showing that the entire amount has been paid in full.

These three documents are required for visa issuance.

How to compute the "Full Unsubsidized Per Capita Cost":

A variety of approaches to reasonably estimate the full, unsubsidized, per capita cost, are acceptable. Common methods for deriving this include dividing the public expenditures of the school, or district, by the number of students, or charging the normal out-of-district fees. Unified school districts may use the K-12 per student cost rather than compute a special charge for secondary students.

Note: Unreasonably low estimates may be refused by the consular officer.

Tips for preparation of the I-20:

Schools should list the full unsubsidized per capita cost under "tuition" in item #7. If the student has already paid, please note this under the "remarks" section. As students are now limited to 12 months in a public secondary school, the duration of the program listed in item #5 should not exceed that time period.

Other Common Questions:

• What does unsubsidized mean?
  Subsidized, in this sense, means public revenue sources are involved. So, unsubsidized cost means the costs that are incurred for instructional and non-instructional services, including operating and capital expenditures.
  
  
• Can the school waive the tuition requirement?
  No. In all cases the full unsubsidized cost must be paid by the student, their family, or some sponsoring organization.
  
• What about students who live with U.S. citizen relatives while attending public school?
  If the student requires an I-20 and F-1 status to study in the school, the requirements are the same as for any other F-1 student attending public school.
  
• Do the provisions apply to all foreign students?
  No. The provisions only apply to those students in, or applying for, F1 status. Other students - exchange students, as well as children of diplomats, researchers or foreign workers are not affected.