Non-Immigrant Visas

Student/Exchange Visitor/Au Pair (F/J/M) Visas

Applicants who wish to attend a university or other academic institution require a student visa (category F or M) or an exchange-visitor visa (category J).  This applies to all students, university and vocational, as well as to children wishing to study at primary and secondary schools. 

All persons going as an au pair require an exchange-visitor visa (category J).

"Be aware that there are now restrictions on foreign students attending public primary and secondary schools or publicly funded adult educational programs in the United States on F visas."  Click here for further information. 

In order to apply for a student visa to study at an American university or other academic institution, the student must first be accepted by the school.  The school must then issue a completed form, either the I-20 or the DS-2019. 

Form I-20A is issued for students in academic or language study programs, Form I-20M for students in vocational studies, and Form DS-2019 for students attending as exchange visitors.

To apply for a visa, you must submit a completed I-20 form or DS-2019, together with your visa application and evidence that you have sufficient funds to cover your tuition and expenses. 

Proof of payment of the SEVIS fee. All student and exchange visa applicants presenting I-20 or DS-2019 forms issued on or after September 1, 2004, must present proof of payment. Instructions on how to pay can be found here .
We also advise you to visit the DHS site on the SEVIS program: www.ice.gov/sevis .

ECFMC certification is required for all graduates of international medical schools as a prerequisite for entry into accredited advanced medical training programs in the United States.

Certification is required for all graduates of international medical schools as a prerequisite for entry into accredited advanced medical training programs in the United States.

TO ALL RECIPIENTS OF AN F, M, OR J STUDENT OR EXCHANGE VISITOR VISA:  Please be aware that United States Department of Homeland Security regulations state that holders of F.M, or J nonimmigrant visas will not be admitted to the United States until a date thirty days or less 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 more on J Visas

For more on F and M  visas

NOTE: For planning purposes, you cannot book an appointment more than one month in advance.

THE EMBASSY DOES NOT RECOMMEND MAKING FLIGHT ARRANGEMENTS AND PURCHING TICKETS PRIOR TO VISA APPROVAL!

IF YOU ARE NOT AN ICELANDIC CITIZEN

Applications from Third Country Nationals:

Third Country Nationals who neither work nor have permanent residence status in Iceland should be aware that it is very difficult to qualify for a nonimmigrant visa as it is difficult to demonstrate their permanent ties to their home countries. In such cases, applicants should consider submitting their applications in their home countries or at a U.S. embassy or consulate with responsibility for processing applications from the applicant's home country.

Visa Reciprocity Fees

Applicants from certain countries that charge U.S. citizens special fees for visas may be required to pay an additional visa issuance/reciprocity fee. Please note that this issuance fee, unlike the processing fee, is not to be paid in advance. If you qualify for the visa, you will be asked to pay the fee to the consular cashier after your interview. Applicants may consult the U.S. Department of State’s Visa Reciprocity Fee table for more information.