Applying for an F-1 Student Visa

When you have been accepted by a US college or university, have received your I-20 form and have secured the necessary funding for your studies, you are ready to apply for a student visa.  You cannot apply for your visa more than 120 days and cannot enter the US more than 30 days before 1st date of classes stated on your I-20 form.

1. You first must pay a SEVIS fee of US$100 using an international credit card online at www.fmjfee.com using the online form. 
   
2. Someone else can also pay this fee for you and fax or mail you the receipt. Some colleges and universities are paying SEVIS fees for their applicants and billing the students when they arrive on campus.  Ask your school for their SEVIS fee policy if you are having difficulty paying yours. To pay for your visa fee, go to Standard Chartered Bank, Mutual Centre Branch, corner Jason  Moyo and 3rd Street in Harare or the Main Branch in Bulawayo, Mutare or Masvingo.  You must pay the equivalent of US$100 in Zim$, set at the current Embassy/auction exchange rate.  
   
3. At the bank, you will be given an official receipt as well as a visa application form and supplements.  The bank will make an appointment for your visa interview at the Embassy.  Students applying for visas outside of Harare will be given appointments on Mondays.  Harare-based visa appointments are on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
   
4. At your scheduled time and day, go to the Embassy, located at 172 H. Chitepo Avenue with the following documents organized and ready to show the Consular Officer:
   
   1. Completed visa application form and any supplementary forms that the bank has given you.SEVIS fee receipt
   
   2. Computerized SEVIS 1-20 form sent to you from the college or university (NB: all details on the I-20 must be correct, must match your passport, and the first day of classes must not have passed.) 
   
   3. Letter of acceptance from the college or university.
   
   4. Proof of finances for your entire period of study and proof of availability of funds for first year.  Such proof can include recent bank statements, a letter from your sponsor or scholarship source, a letter from the school stating your financial aid or scholarship offer..  Bring as much and as current proof of funding as possible.  Proof of finances must be in foreign currency from an off-shore account.
   
   5. Originals of your academic qualifications: "O" level and "A" level certificates for undergraduates, diplomas or university degrees for graduate students.
   
   6. One front-facing photograph, either black and white or color, 50mm by 50mm.  (Note: Do not use photobooths as they do not produce clear photographs.)  The Embassy recommends Focal Point Travel plaza as a reputable passport photographer.
   
   7. Your current passport  which must be valid for another calendar year.
   
   8. If available and relevant, copies of your score reports from your SAT,GRE,GMAT and/or TOEFL or other standardized American entrance examinations.

Be prepared to be interviewed briefly on the spot by the Consular Officer before your visa is processed.  The Consular Officer will need to ascertain that you are a serious student.  She wants to know about your plans for study, how and why you chose your college/university, the appropriateness of your qualifications to attend that school, what degree and field of study you plan to pursue, and how you will use your degree once you return to Zimbabwe.  You will need to establish Zimbabwe as your country of permanent future residence by demonstrating your ties to family and work in Zimbabwe, as a student visa is only intended for your period of study and does not permit you to seek employment in the United States.  Note that being accepted to a college or university is in no way a guarantee of being granted a visa.

For more information, please see www.usvisas.gov  and www.educationusa.state.gov