General information For Visitor Visa Applicants (Student Visa)

Consular Section of the Embassy of the United States of America

Student visa applications are accepted only by appointment made online on the U.S. Embassy’s website: http://kinshasa.usembassy.gov/ and should be scheduled approximately one month before the beginning of the course.  Applicants must go to CITI (CITIBANK) at the intersection of Avenue Ngongo-Lutete and Avenue Colonel Lukusa in Gombe to pay the MRV fees on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays between 8:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. They should bring their receipt showing payment of $140 when they are received on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings (you must have an online appointment scheduled) at 8:00 a.m. to the Consular Section for the visa interview.  Note that the $140 fee is not refundable if the visa is denied. If the visa is issued, Congolese citizens will have to pay $150 for a 1-month student visa. The reciprocity visa fee schedule will be applied for all nationalities.  You may find the visa reciprocity schedule at Visa Issuance Fee - Reciprocity Tables. In many cases, the passport will be returned on the day following the visa interview. Pick up time is from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays and from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Fridays. In some cases the clearance may take longer. Please plan accordingly.

A non-immigrant visa for the United States is neither an entry permit nor an authorization for a temporary stay.  It allows the visa recipient to appear at a port of entry in front of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in order to apply for admission into United States territory. The USCIS officials have the authority to authorize admission and determine the length of stay (normally duration of studies).

The United States Immigration and Naturalization Law states that each nonimmigrant visa applicant is an intending immigrant.  It is up to the applicant to overcome this allegation by demonstrating sufficiently strong ties to his/her country of residence that will compel him/her to return after his/her short visit in the United States.

Requirements

1. Generally speaking, applicants should apply in their country of residence.

2. Passport:  each traveler should submit his own passport.

3. Passport validity: your passport should be valid for at least six months longer than your intended period of stay in the United States.

4. The NIV application form, the DS-160, must be completed. You will have to answer all of the questions.  If the question does not apply to you, complete with “does not apply” as necessary. Once you have completed the form online, print the confirmation page and bring it with you to your visa interview.

5.  Photograph: Upload one un-mounted full-face photograph (roughly 2 inches square or 50mm x 50mm) with the head centered in the frame and taken within the past six months. It may be either in color or black and white and must be taken against a white or off-white background showing the applicant facing the camera directly. For detailed instructions, please see Photograph Requirements.

6. A letter of admission must be written on the school letterhead and exclusively prepared and signed by competent school authorities.

7. The I-20 form issued by the selected school must be prepared and signed only by competent school authorities.  You must begin classes at your school before or on the closing date indicated on the I-20.  

8. The originals of the following documents: state diploma, school records from at a minimum your most recent two years of study, other diplomas, and other demonstrable accomplishments related to the proposed field of study should be included in the file.

9. Knowledge of the English language allowing you to begin an academic program.  Quality English-language training is available in Kinshasa at all levels.  If you intend to study English in the United States prior to enrolling in an academic program that will result in an internationally recognized degree (associate, BA, M.A.., or PHD.), then you must submit an I-20 for the proposed academic study.  

10. You must show justification of sufficient financial resources to cover your studies.  You must demonstrate that you or your sponsor have sufficient funds now to pay for the first year and that you have access to sufficient funds (salary or other financial assets) to pay for all subsequent years of schooling.

11. The visa interview: you will have a visa interview with a consular officer of the United States of America, during which time your application will be examined.

12. SEVIS: make sure that the school has registered you in the student and exchange visitor information system (SEVIS) and bring the SEVIS fee receipt at the visa interview.  To pay the SEVIS fee you should go to the following website: http://www.fmjfee.com/

Note For Returning Students

Before leaving the USA, carefully check with your university academic director to ensure that your I-20 will be current when you apply for a new visa.  You should also take with you to the visa interview copies of your school transcripts for the entire period you have been in the United States and continued proof of ability to pay for your schooling.  Please remember to schedule your on line interview in advance of your proposed return to the USA.

Request for Expedited Appointments

If spots are not available on the NIV appointment system online, you may send an email at AEKinshasaConsular@state.gov to request an expedited appointment. You should scan the first page of your I-20.

Notice to Students

A student visa cannot be issued more than 120 days in advance of the beginning of the school program.  The applicant cannot enter the United States more than 30 days in advance of the beginning of studies.