United States Consulate General
Naha, Okinawa, Japan

F - ACADEMIC STUDY

Persons traveling to the United States to pursue academic study or English language instruction must obtain a student visa. The visa symbol is F. If you plan to study at a trade or vocational school, for example, flight school, you will need an M visa. If you believe an M visa is more appropriate, please see the M visa information.

HOW TO OBTAIN A STUDENT VISA:

To obtain a student visa, you must show the following:

1. You have a residence abroad to which you intend to return. While there is no specific list of documents to show residence, you should submit such things as a letter and transcript from your most recent school, a leave letter from your company, or other documents showing your ties to Japan.
2. You must demonstrate that you have been accepted to pursue a full course of study at an Immigration Service approved institution. This is shown by presentation of a completed Form I-20A-B. Form I-20A-B is entitled "Certificate of Eligibility", and is issued to the student by the school. This form is evidence that you have been accepted at a school, and a visa cannot be issued without it. Form I-20A-B states the costs of study, the degree of English skill needed, and what it is you intend to study. It must be signed by the school official, and by the student's parent or guardian if the student is under age 18.
3. You must demonstrate that you have sufficient academic preparation to pursue the intended course of study, and may be asked to submit grades for the most recent years of study.
4. You must also demonstrate that you have sufficient knowledge of English to pursue the intended study, or if you do not, that the school is aware of this lack and will remedy it.
5. You must demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to cover the first year of study, and access to sufficient funds to cover subsequent years. Please submit bank statements or other financial documents to show this.

To apply for an F visa please submit the following directly to the Consulate between 8:30-10:30 AM, Monday - Friday. The Consulate is closed on Japanese and U.S. holidays.

• I-20A-B completed by the school;
• evidence that you have sufficient funds to cover the first year of study;
• completed application forms DS-156,  DS-158, and if necessary DS-157;
• a valid passport;
• one photograph (see details);
• $100 application fee payable in cash (dollars or yen) or by money order made payable to "U.S. Embassy, Tokyo."

When you enter the US, the Immigration inspector will admit you as a student for the duration of your studies. Please be aware that student visas are not issued more than 90 days prior to the designated registration date.

IF YOU ALREADY HAVE A STUDENT VISA:

If you are in Japan for a short trip while still enrolled in your original school in the United States, please check to see if your visa is still valid. If it is, there is no need to obtain another. If it is not, you need to present  your I-20A-B, endorsed by the school official, along with your passport, the visa application form DS-156, DS-158, and if necessary DS-157, one photograph (see details), and $100 application fee.

If you are temporarily absent from the United States, your visa is still valid, and you intend to return to an institution other than the one shown on your visa, you do not need a new visa, nor does the school name written on your visa need to be changed. Simply use the valid visa you now have.

DEPENDENTS OF F-1 VISA HOLDERS:

Dependents following to join the principal alien must present:

• financial evidence;
• family members' passports;
• completed application forms  DS-156, DS-158, and if necessary DS-157;
• one photograph (see details) for each dependent;
• form I-20A-B for each applicant;
• copies of the principal alien's passport, F-1 visa and I-94 form;
• application fee of $100 each.

Dependent children may attend public or private school while accompanying the F-1 visa holder. 

IF YOU HAVE NOT YET SELECTED A SCHOOL:

If you plan to study in the United States, but have not yet selected a school or have not yet received your I-20A-B, you may be eligible to receive a prospective student visa. To apply for a prospective student visa, please submit:

• your passport;
• visa application form DS-156 and if necessary DS-157;
• one photograph (see details);
• a copy of your transcript for the most recent years of study;
• evidence that you have been accepted by a school, or are considering enrolling in one;
• a letter in English explaining your situation and reason to apply for a prospective student visa;
• evidence showing your ability to pay for the course of study and to support yourself during your time in the United States;
• $100 application fee.

For general non-immigrant visa questions such as hours, fees and basic requirements, please see NON-IMMIGRANT VISAS.