Daytona Beach Campus

Applying For Your Student Visa

If you plan to enroll as an International Student at Embry-Riddle, you also need to apply for your official Student Visa. To learn how, please read all the information below:

Embry-Riddle is authorized to enroll non-immigrant alien students — and to issue them an I-20 form — when students are accepted to a full-time program and show they have enough financial resources to cover the cost of their studies. The I-20 form certifies a student is eligible to be an F-1 or M-1 non-immigrant student. An international applicant is defined as a non-resident, non-immigrant person entering the United States on F-1/M-1 or J-1 student visas. All I-20’s are issued through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), which is a governmental computerized system to maintain and manage data related to foreign students and exchange visitors, during their stay in the United States. International Students are required to comply with all SEVIS requirements. For more information about SEVIS, please refer to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Applying for the Visa

After you have applied and been accepted to Embry-Riddle, SEVIS authorizes the school to send your I-20 Form. You must follow the U.S. Embassy/Consulate instructions for scheduling your F-1 Student Visa.

Apply for your Student Visa as far in advance as possible. Though many consulates suggest making your appointment no more than 90 days from your intended travel date, some consulates can make earlier arrangements for your interview. You will need to complete the following forms:

  • DS-160-Online Non-Immigrant Visa application
  • DS-158 Contact Information and Work History for Non-Immigrant Visa Applicant
  • DS-157 Supplemental Non-Immigrant Visa application (some applicants may be asked to complete this form)

To obtain the forms, visit the U.S. State Department website.

Preparing for Your F-1 Visa Interview

Preparing for an F-1 visa interview is vital if you plan to enter the United States for the first time to study. To learn about bringing dependents to the United States, returning to continue your studies, renewing your visa or applying for your Student Visa, please visit the U.S. State Department website.

Making Payments

To pay the visa application fee, follow the instructions on your local U.S. Embassy or Consulate's website, or visit the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) website. Keep a copy of the receipt, as this will be needed when you go for the visa.

All Applicants

Bring your receipt for fee payment to your interview. If you lose the receipt, the Visa Officer may be able to view your payment history on the database. If you are transferring from another school, extending your program, applying for an F-2 dependent visa or have paid this fee and been denied a visa within the last 12 months, you do not need to pay the SEVIS fee.