VISA APPOINTMENT

The Visa Process runs between June and July, therefore you must be available in person for any appointment that may occur during this time. Be careful when booking holidays around your Visa appointment as the US Consulate can take up to three working days to return your passport via post following your appointment.  

Once students have returned their acceptance paperwork, we will begin the visa process. During May/June, your US College will issue each student with an I-20/DS-2019 Visa document. Unfortunately students cannot choose which visa type they get as this depends on what Visa status the College is registered to administer.

Once you receive your I-20/ DS-2019 from your US College, the BEI Team will allocate you a visa appointment time on one of two interview days solely for BEI students. Following this, you will book your visa appointment for that time by contacting the US Consulate. When you book your appointment you will have to pay a Visa Processing Fee, which is $131 (approximately £90).  Below are the contact details for the U.S. Embassy in Belfast:

U.S. Consulate
Danesfort House
223 Stranmillis Road
Belfast BT9 5GR
Monday – Friday 8:30 am - 5pm
www.usembassy.org.uk/nireland/index.html

TYPES OF VISAS

Visit United States Visas for a step by step guide on how to obtain your visa.

You will either receive a ‘F1’ or a ‘J1’ visa for a years study in America depending on what your specific College administers.

F1
•Enables the student to work on campus if they wish
•It allows the student 60 days ‘grace period’ after their Visa expires before they have to come home.
•It allows the student to get Optical Practical Training (OPT) which is defined as temporary employment for practical training directly related to the student’s major area of study.

J1
•It grants the student permission to take on a paid internship/ part–time employment off campus
•Enables the student to work on campus if they wish
•It allows the student 30 days ‘grace period’ after their Visa expires before they have to come home.

If you are travelling outside the US, apart from when you are going home, check with your international advisor as you may need to carry a formal letter with you from the College explaining that you are a student and are coming back to study so there are no problems when re-entering the US.

SEVIS

After you have booked your appointment you need to complete several forms online and pay your ‘Student and Exchange Visitor Information System’ (SEVIS) fee online.  SEVIS is a $200 fee, about £140. You can pay by credit card on the SEVIS website (https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee); you will need to enter two sets of numbers taken from your I-20/DS-2019 document when you are paying. You then print off the receipt and bring that, along with your passport, passport photos, a prepaid Royal Mail Special Delivery Envelope, your I-20/DS-2019, and the remaining Visa documentation to the Consulate interview

SOCIAL SECURITY

In America, social security is the equivalent to a National Insurance here. If you want to work while you are in America or set up a bank account, you must have a social security card.   Find out how to apply for a US Social Security Number.  

To get one you must bring a letter from your College’s International Student Services, your passport with your visa in it, your 1-20/ DS2019 to your local social security administration office. This is sometimes arranged during International Orientation when students first arrive on campus.