VISA APPLICATION

International students at SRJC must have a valid F-1 Student Visa to be able to study in the U.S. SRJC has issued you a Form I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Status for this purpose. You can apply for an F-1 visa up to 365 days before the report date listed on your Form I-20. New students can enter the U.S. up to 30 days before the Program Start Date on your Form I-20. Please consider this date carefully when making travel plans to the U.S. If you are unable to schedule a visa interview at least ten days before classes start, you must request to defer your SRJC admission to the next available semester. 

Application Process

Once you receive admission to SRJC, you may begin the process to apply for your visa: 

  1. Pay the $350 I-901 SEVIS Fee using your SRJC Form I-20 (see FAQs). Be sure to save the receipt for your visa interview!
  2. Submit a Form DS-160 yourself and pay the $185 application fee (see instructions, sample form, and FAQs). Be sure to print the application confirmation page for your visa interview!
    • Complete the form yourself and allow 2-3 hours
    • Be sure to use Chrome, Edge, or Firefox and save your progress often
    • Print your responses before submitting
    • Save your Application ID Number and security question responses
  3. After 48 hours, you may schedule your visa interview at the nearest U.S. Embassy (see wait times).
  4. Practice, practice, practice!
  5. Attend your visa interview at the Embassy. 

Tips for the Visa Interview

Select a topic to read tips.

Communicate Clearly

Visa interviews can be brief. Listen carefully, answer honestly, and speak clearly. Practice discussing your plans in English using your own words rather than memorizing a script. If you do not understand a question, ask the officer to repeat or clarify it.

Give Specific Answers

Answer the question directly, then add a brief explanation when helpful. For example, instead of saying only “I want to study business,” explain what interests you about business and how the program supports your career goals. Keep your answers focused and allow the officer to ask follow-up questions.

Explain Your Plans After Studying

Be prepared to discuss what you intend to do after completing your education and why you plan to return to your home country. Consider your career goals, family responsibilities, and other personal connections. Describe your actual circumstances rather than what you think the officer wants to hear.

Understand Your Funding

Know your estimated education and living expenses and how you will pay for them. If someone is sponsoring you, be prepared to explain your relationship, why they are supporting your education, and how they can afford the expenses.

Know Your Program

Be ready to explain what you plan to study and how it connects to your previous education, work experience, and future goals. If you plan to transfer to a four-year university, explain how SRJC fits into that plan. If you are changing fields or returning to school after a break, explain your reasons.

Explain Why You Chose SRJC

Identify specific reasons SRJC is a good fit for you, such as your academic program, transfer opportunities, tuition costs, or student support services. Focus on the factors that mattered to your decision and show that you have researched the college.

Plan Ahead

Check appointment availability and the instructions on the U.S. embassy or consulate’s website early. Allow time for processing after the interview. Before considering an appointment in another country, confirm the current rules and whether that location accepts your application. Contact ISP if delays may prevent you from arriving on time.

Prepare and Practice

Review your Form I-20, visa application, and supporting documents before the interview. Practice explaining your plans with someone who can ask follow-up questions. Keep your documents organized so you can find them if requested.

New Student Visa Timeline

Each embassy and consulate sets its own interview policies and procedures regarding student visas. Visa wait times for interview appointments vary by Embassy location, season, and visa category, so it is recommended to apply for the visa as early as possible. Students may apply for an F-1 visa up to 365 days prior to the Program Start Date on the Form I-20. Appointments are the most difficult to get in June, July and August during the busy season.

Visa Interview, Social Media Review (1 to 2 weeks), Processing Time (1 to 2 weeks), Travel to the United States, Program Start Date, altogether 1 Month Minimum

As part of the application process, all F-1 student visa applicants must list the social media usernames or handles they have used within the past five years. As of June 18, 2025, Consular officers will begin reviewing review publicly available content as part of routine screening procedures. In many cases, visa applications will initially be refused under Section 221(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act while the application undergoes additional processing, including a review of social media activity. Applicants should be aware that this review may extend processing times and are encouraged to apply for their visa well in advance of their program start date.

Visa Reciprocity

The U.S. Department of State determines the validity period of F-1 student visas based on each country’s visa reciprocity schedule. In recent updates, a growing number of countries—including Angola, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Ghana, Kyrgyzstan, Malawi, Niger, Nigeria, São Tomé and Príncipe, South Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia, and Zimbabwe—now have a maximum F-1 visa validity of three months.

If you're from one of these countries, please plan ahead and apply for your visa as early as possible, but do not schedule your visa interview more than 90 days before your program start date. For more information, consult the Visa Reciprocity Schedule and NAFSA's regulatory update.

Visa Denials

If your visa is denied, please review the travel.state.gov website for more information. Most visas are denied under Section 214(b), or failure to sufficiently demonstrate nonimmigrant intent to the consular officer. I.e. not sufficiently demonstrating strong ties to your home country that will compel you to leave the United States at the end of your temporary stay.

Visa refusal under section 214(b) is not permanent - you may choose to reapply for an F-1 visa until you a successful. You will not need to re-pay the I-901 SEVIS fee if the Program Start Date on your Form I-20 has been deferred in a timely manner. You will need to file another DS-160 and repay the application fee and schedule another interview. You must be sure to present new information to the consular officer during your next attempt. 

If you know someone who lives in Northern California, they may be able to inquire with Congressman Mike Thompson's office to request a letter of support for your visa application. 

Helpful Resources

Transfer Students

Already have an F-1 visa? You can provide your admissions email to your current school and request a transfer of your SEVIS record to School Code SFR214F00618000. After the release date, you will receive an updated Form I-20 for your Program of Study at SRJC. Please notify us if you plan to travel internationally between programs. 

Change of Status

Changing your status? Change of Status with USCIS. Using your Form I-20, you must pay the I-901 fee then submit the I-539 application online and pay the $420 Filing Fee. You must upload copies of your Form I-20, your most recent I-94 record, and evidence of financial support. In some cases, we recommend consulting an immigration lawyer to assess your eligibility.

Canadian Citizens

Citizen of Canada? You are not required to apply for a visa to enter the United States. All you need to do is present your SRJC Form I-20 to the officials at the U.S. Port of Entry (POE). You may be questioned about your program of study or funding sources, so be sure to bring all of your important documents with you (I-901 fee receipt, bank statements, Form I-20, etc.). If crossing a land border, you must request an I-94. You can apply online in advance, and then you must appear at the POE within seven days with your documents.