Applying for a Student Visa

1. Identify the U.S. embassy or consulate nearest to you: https://www.usembassy.gov/. 
2. Complete the online non-immigrant visa application known as a “DS-160” and schedule your visa interview. 
3. Pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee prior to your interview: https://www.fmjfee.com/.  
4. Prepare for your interview by utilizing the recourses and information found on this page. 
5. Attend your interview and report back to your admission counselor on the outcome. 
6. Send a copy of your F-1 visa page to your admission counselor when you have it in-hand.  

You may apply for your U.S. student visa up to one year before your program start date. In most cases, you should apply at the U.S. embassy or consulate with jurisdiction over your place of permanent residence. Although visa applicants may apply at any U.S. consular office abroad, it is generally more difficult to demonstrate that you qualify for the visa outside your country of permanent residence. 

It is important to secure your visa in time to arrive for orientation and registration activities no later than the start date on your I-20. 

Visa application procedures and wait times vary by location. Visit usembassy.gov to locate the embassy or consulate nearest you. 

The goal of the visa interview is for the US official to determine whether you are a “genuine student”, meaning your intention is to study and you are both academically and financially prepared to do so. The interview may be very quick, sometimes between 60 seconds and 2 minutes. You should be well-prepared but not rehearsed – the officer has seen “practiced answers” many times and wants to, instead, have a genuine conversation. 

Embassy officials have emphasized that the interview is “not a document-driven process”. You should be prepared to provide all relevant documentation, but the focus will be on your verbal interaction with the consulate official.   

As of March 2025, the Department of State has also made it clear that visa applicants’ social media accounts will be thoroughly vetted. Be prepared to address questions about prior posts, social connections, and other media. You should be forthcoming and honest about all social media. 

As you prepare for your interview, check our “Links and Resources” page for more additional guidance. 

Be prepared to discuss: 

• Academics: You should be able to explain precisely what you plan to study, as well as: 

• Why you are pursuing your degree in the US, rather than in your home country. 

• Why you are pursuing your degree at Tiffin University, specifically. 

• Language: You should expect the interview to take place in English. 

• Financial Support: You must be able to clearly explain your source of financial support and whether that support will be available for the entirety of your academic program.  

• If somebody (e.g. parents) is financially supporting your education at TU, how do they earn money and how will they afford to support you each year while also meeting their own financial obligations? 

• It is important you know how much it will cost each year you are in the U.S.  

• Although they may not look at it, you should bring evidence of sufficient funds to the interview. 

• Working in the U.S. cannot be a means for meeting your financial obligations. Part-time, on-campus work is permitted but not guaranteed and not sufficient. 

• Career/Goals: How your education in the US will impact your future career in your home country. 

• Ties to your home country: The F-1 student visa falls under the “non-immigrant” category. Your ties to your home country may provide the best evidence that you qualify as haveing “non-immigrant intent”. Examples include future employment, family and/or a family business, property you own or will inherit, or a clear explanation of how your TU education will impact specific opportunities in your home country. 

The Embassy you are scheduled with will provide information about what documentation is required. Generally, students should expect to provide the following: 

• Valid Passport 

• Copy of the DS-160 confirmation page 

• Passport-style photo(s) 

• Visa fee or proof of visa fee payment 

• SEVIS I-901 Fee receipt 

• Tiffin University admission letter 

• Tiffin University-issued Form I-20 

• Test scores and academic records 

• Proof of English proficiency 

• Evidence of financial support 

• Any other documents required by the embassy or consulate 

Citizens of Canada 

Canadians are not required to obtain a U.S. visa to enter the United States. However, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer will inspect your papers, either at a pre-inspection site in Canada or upon entry to the United States. 

You must have with you: 

• Your valid Canadian passport. 

• Your admission letter to Tiffin University. 

• Proof of SEVIS I-901 fee payment: Pay your fee at FMJfee.com 

• Your signed Tiffin University Form I-20. 

• Proof of financial support that corresponds to the information on your I-20. 

It is essential that you enter the United States in the appropriate status. If you enter the US as a tourist or under any category other than F-1, you will not be eligible to study.  

F-1 Students in the U.S. 

If you are already present in the United States with valid F-1 student status, you must request that a DSO at your current school release your SEVIS record to Tiffin University, either at the end of the academic term or the completion of any authorized practical training. Your new Tiffin University I-20, endorsed and pending transfer, will be issued and sent to you shortly after your record release date. 

Once you are enrolled at Tiffin University and we have confirmed your registration, the transfer process will be complete. Be sure to report to the International Student Services Office as soon as possible after your arrival. 

Other Non-Immigrant Classifications

If you are currently in the United States in a visa classification other than F-1, you should contact the Office International Affairs and speak to a DSO to discuss your eligibility to study or change status.  

Visa Denials 

When an applicant is denied a student visa, the consular official may not provide a specific reason. The applicant is provided a generic letter that most often references Section 214(b) as the reason for denial, which means the consular officer was not convinced that the applicant has “non-immigrant intent”. It is presumed that all applicants are attempting to immigrate to the United States when applying for a non-immigrant visa, and the applicant must prove otherwise. 

Some reasons an applicant may fail to demonstrate non-immigrant intent include: 

• Financial evidence and explanation failed to demonstrate an ability to support yourself financially without working in the US. 

• Failure to demonstrate that your academic pursuit is the primary purpose for coming to the US.  

Students that are denied a visa under Section 214(b) are not allowed to appeal the outcome but are allowed to re-apply for the visa if they have “new information” that supports their eligibility for non-immigrant status.  

Visa Delays

Your visa issuance may be delayed if it is determined that your application requires “administrative processing”. The consular officer may request additional information, documentation, or other procedures. Please inform your DSO and follow up on any instructions from the officer.