Non-Immigrant Visas

Student Visas

The first step in applying for a student visa is obtaining an I-20 form from the school you wish to attend. Please note that obtaining the I-20 form does not guarantee that you will be issued a student visa; the issuance depends on the credibility of your file and your interview.

A). File

At the time of the interview your file should consist of the following documents:

1). Student visa forms: http://evisaforms.state.gov/

2). A valid I-20 form from your school of choice in the U.S.

3). A SEVIS payment receipt ($100 USD): www.ice.gov/sevis
 
4). Original copies of diplomas, transcripts, and certificates of previous schooling, including high school and any post-secondary studies

5). Original financial documents of the individual funding your studies. Please note that you have must have proof of adequate funding for the first year of school.

B.  Academic Credentials

A student visa applicant should be prepared to discuss his / her academic credentials and objectives to show his/her commitment to higher education, and why the particular school was chosen. Priority is given to those who have made the effort to study English and taken the TOEFL test. Other exams taken such as the SAT, GRE, and GMAT are other considerations the Consular Officer weighs. Priority is given to those who have been accepted to bachelor, master, or doctorate degree programs. The student visa applicant should be prepared to discuss his/her long-term study plans and objectives when he/she returns to Togo.

C. Adequate Financial Support

The student must prove that his/her sponsor is capable of paying for his/her academic program. Financial resources must exist to pay for the first academic year upfront, and a plan for financing all subsequent years. Priority is given to students sponsored by their own parents rather than other acquaintances. Students have a greater chance of obtaining a visa if their parents can prove the source(s) of their financial support and the amount of their combined income.

D. Develop a Study Plan


 
To develop a study plan that fulfills the requirement of a student visa application, the candidate may take advantage of the educational advising services available at the English Learning Center. Applicants may:

 1). Use the academic resources available at the ELC on U.S. institutions of higher learning (guides, references, specialized books, and websites specially geared to foreign students)

 2). Arrange an appointment with an Educational Advisor to discuss schools and degree programs

Applying for a student visa is a long process. Thus, students must begin this preparation early. Please feel free to contact the Educational Advising Service at the U.S. Embassy at 261-5470 Ext. 4562 or by emailing cca@state.gov.