NON-IMMIGRANT VISAS

Student Visas

Visa Pick-up Hours: In case of approved applications, passports with visas may be picked up at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Place of Application: Student visa applicants are encouraged to apply for their visas in their country of residence.  Non-Omanis who choose to apply in Muscat should present evidence to establish that a student has a permanent residence abroad (either in Oman or the home country) to which he will return after studying in the U.S. 

Documentation: The following documents must be presented at the time of application:

• Passport: Must be valid for at least six months beyond the planned date of departure from the U.S.
  
• Personal appearance: All applicants aged 14 –80 are required to appear in person.
  
• Forms: Each applicant must submit a fully completed and signed Electronic Visa Application Form DS-156 (Nonimmigrant Visa Application) and Form DS-158 (Contact Information & Work History for Non-immigrant Visa Applicant).  The electronic version of Form DS-156 is available at http://evisaforms.state.gov.  In addition, all males between 16-45 years of age, and all applicants age 16 and over who are from Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Sudan and Syria must present Form DS-157.  DS-157/158 are available at www.travel.state.gov or http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/forms/forms_1342.html.
  
• Photographs:  Each applicant must present a recent (within six months) full-face photo without any head covering (5 cm by 5 cm in size, exclusive of any white borders) and taken against a white or off-white background.  Applicants may wear a head covering for religious reasons but only if the head covering does not obscure any portion of the face.  Traditional head coverings may not be worn in photos submitted for visa applications.
  
• Fees: A non-refundable visa application fee of U.S. $100.00 (R.O. 40) is charged to all applicants for standard visitor visas, regardless of whether a visa is issued or not.  Additionally, an issuance fee (usually varying from R.O. 4/- to R.O. 80/- depending on nationality) may apply, and if so, it must be paid immediately after the visa has been approved for issuance.
  
• SEVIS Fee:  New F-1/J-1 students issued I-20/DS-2019 after September 1, 2004 are required to pay a SEVIS fee of U.S. $100.  Payment in US dollars by credit card can be made at http://www.FMJfee.com. The receipt must be presented with the application.   
  
• Form I-20/DS02019: A signed original form I-20 or DS-2019 form from the school (Facsimiles or copies are not acceptable). 

Note: If the reporting date specified in the applicant's Form I-20/DS-2019 is past, the student should either present an amended Form I-20/DS-2019 with a feasible reporting date or a letter from the institution stating that the student will be enrolled even though the date specified in the original I-20/DS-2019 has not been met.  Under U.S. law, a student visa may not be issued more than 90 days in advance of the date specified on the I-20 form for the commencement of studies.  A student must always have a valid I-20/DS-2019 form when entering the United States to either commence or resume studies. 

• Other documentation: All student visa applicants, including continuing students, should bring a transcript showing grades from their most recent school.  Standardized test scores such as TOEFL, GRE and SAT should also be submitted.
  
• Funds: The student must present credible documentary evidence of readily available funds to meet all expenses for the first year of study.  Further, documentation (such as letters of employment stating position, salary and time of service, bank documents demonstrating at least a six-month account history, etc.) that adequate funds will be available for each subsequent year of study must be presented.  Statements from a bank affirming that the sponsor has "sufficient funds" are not acceptable. 

Note: Presentation of Form I-20/DS-2019 and fulfilling the visa application requirements listed above does not guarantee issuance of a visa.  A visa may be issued only when the applicant independently qualifies for such visa status.