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FAQ

Immigrant Visas

American Citizen Services

visas for younger students

Students wishing to study at elementary school (grades kindergarten through 8, approximately ages 5 to 14) or high school (grades 9-12) in the United States are required to hold F-1 student visas, with some exceptions (see below). If children wish to study in the U.S., they must hold the proper visa. Remember that a visa is not a guarantee of entry to the United States. The immigration officer at the port of entry determines whether or not you may enter and the authorized duration of stay.

Please note: U.S. law requires that applicants for nonimmigrant visas, including exchange visas, provide evidence that they don't intend to immigrate to the United States. The parents of younger students must provide this evidence based on the parents’ economic and social ties to Israel. Consular officers at U.S. embassies and consulates to determine eligibility on an individual basis on the merits of each case. Because each person's personal situation is different, people applying for the same kind of visa may be asked different questions and be required to submit different documents. Applicants should bring at least the recommended documents listed below as proof of their ties to Israel and their proposed studies in the United States, but consular officers may also request additional information or documentation depending on their assessment of each person's situation.

Studying at a Public School

A child may not study at a public elementary school with a nonimmigrant F-1 student visa. Study at a public high school with an F-1 visa is limited to one year, and full reimbursement for the total cost of the education must be confirmed ahead of time. Enrolling a child in public school while in visitor (B1/B2) status can result in the child's visa revocation and permanent visa ineligibility for the child's parents. Students attending private elementary and secondary schools are not affected by this law; they may study in the United States on F-1 visas. Students studying on derivative visas, such as F-2, J-2, H-4, or L-2, are also not affected.

There are certain restrictions on attending public school in the U.S. Persons who violate these restrictions may become ineligible for another visa for a period of five years. These restrictions went into effect December 1, 1996 as Section 625 of Public Law 104-208.

Students who attend public high schools in the U.S. are limited to twelve months of study. Public school attendance in the U.S. prior to November 30, 1996 does not count toward this limit.
F-1 visas can no longer be issued to attend public elementary or middle schools (K-8th grade) or publicly funded adult education programs.
Before an F-1 visa for a public school can be issued, the student must show that the school has been reimbursed for the full, unsubsidized per capita cost of the education as calculated by the school. Reimbursement may be indicated on the I-20. We may request copies of canceled checks and/or receipts confirming the payment as needed.

Exceptions to the F-1 Visa Requirement

A student who will be traveling to the United States for a short period, such as a month-long exchange program with a school in the United States, need only to obtain a regular visitor B1/B2 visa.
If your child already possesses a derivative visa, such as a J-2, F-2, H-4, or L-2 visa, because you or your spouse are working or studying in the United States, the child does not need to obtain an additional student visa to study in primary school or high school, as long as you maintain your status as a student or temporary worker.

Obtaining an F-1 Student Visa

In order for your child to receive an F-1 visa to study in primary school or high school in the United States, even if you are applying to renew a current student visa, you must apply for a visa for your child and schedule a visa interview just as you would for any other visa type. In order to apply for an F-1 visa, you will need the original form I-20 A-B from the child’s school signed by the child’s parent or legal guardian and a school representative. In addition, you will need to pay the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee.

Recommended Documents for F-1 Students

Applicants must come to the visa interview with the required visa application forms and photo, a current passport valid for at least six months after your entry to the United States, the receipt for the processing fee from the post office, and the receipt of SEVIS payment. You should also bring any previous passports with U.S. visas.

Before applying for an F-1 visa you will need to receive the original I-20 document from your child’s school, signed by the child’s parent or legal guardian and the designated school official. You must bring the original of this document to the Embassy for your visa interview in order to receive a visa. The I-20 will be returned to you in a sealed envelope after the visa has been processed. Please do not open this envelope. Your child should give it unopened to the U.S. immigration inspector upon arrival in the U.S.

In addition to the I-20 form, you should also bring financial evidence showing that you have sufficient funds to cover your child’s tuition and living expenses during the intended period of study (i.e., original financial statement from a bank, income tax certificate, proof of scholarship). If you have a U.S. sponsor, you may bring the sponsor's yearly income tax return to show that he can fulfill his financial obligation for your child’s education.

Keep in mind that applicants for student visas must still prove their intention to return to Israel. In order to show significant ties to Israel, applicants may wish to bring some of the following documents:

If you are employed, you can submit the following documents in support of your child’s visa:

A typed, original letter from your current employer on company stationery stating the length of time you have worked for the company, the period of time given for business or tourist trip, information concerning the employee's future employment with the company; and
The three most recent salary slips from the current job. Bank statements cannot be substituted for proof of regular income from current employment.

If you are self employed, you can submit the following documents in support of your child’s visa:

A copy of the business incorporation document, a copy of the business license, copies of sales receipts and payroll records; and
A typed, signed letter from the business's accountant that details the type of business, years in operation and net monthly profit.

Please note: Presenting fraudulent documents, or making false or misleading statements on the application form or to the interviewing officer, can result in you becoming permanently ineligible for any type of U.S. visa.

SEVIS Fee

You will need to pay the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee if your child’s program began after September 1, 2004. For continuing or returning students, you should consult your child’s school or program organizers in the United States to confirm whether or not the SEVIS fee is required or has been paid. Applicants must bring proof of payment to their visa interviews. See Visa Fees for more information on SEVIS.

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) is designed to help the Department of Homeland Security and Department of State better monitor school and exchange programs and F, M and J category visitors. Exchange visitor and student information is maintained in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). SEVIS is an Internet-based system that maintains accurate and current information on non-immigrant students (F and M visa), exchange visitors (J visa), and their dependents (F-2, M-2, and J-2). SEVIS enables schools and program sponsors to transmit mandatory information and event notifications via the Internet, to the Department of Homeland Security and Department of State (DOS) throughout a student or exchange visitor's stay in the United States. Select SEVIS to go to the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Internet site and learn more.