American Student Visa

I am now the proud owner of a brand new American Student Visa!!! I’m so excited! Went to Oslo last week and had my Visa interview Thursday morning at the American Embassy, and already Monday evening, the Visa was in the mail (expected delivery was 6-10 days).

I had to wait 2.5 hours standing outside the embassy, followed by a 30min wait inside – but the interview itself was pretty brief. They asked me less questions than at my first visa interview 4 years ago, and their main focus was why I had chosen the particular school and academic program, and what my plans for the future are  - i.e. what am I going to do in Norway after my Visa has expired.

Getting accepted to an MBA program, and having my Visa application approved, has been on my mind since before graduation, and I’m so relieved now, knowing that my New York adventure can continue!!! If you are a Norwegian who wants to apply for an American Student Visa, or specifically the F-1 Visa, you can go ahead and follow my basic check-list. For some applicants, however, there are additional requirements, so I advise you to still check out the information posted on the embassy’s website.

1. Schedule the Visa interview here, preferably after you have received the I-20 document from your school .
2. If you receive your I-20 late, and there are no appointments left, you can email the embassy to explain your situation, and ask if they can give you an Emergency Appointment.
3. Pay the SEVIS fee, and bring the receipt to the Visa interview. If you have already paid the SEVIS fee (like I did before my first Visa), you don’t have to pay again, but bring the receipt.
4. Complete the online Visa application form  DS-160. Don’t submit your application before you are sure that it’s complete and correct, and make sure you note down your Application ID. Bring the Confirmation Sheet to your interview.
5. Bring 800 NOK or $140 in exact cash (Visa application fee)
6. Bring an envelope that is half the size of a A-4 sheet of paper, and write your own address on it
7. Stick 85 NOK worth of stamps on  the envelope (don’t use those new envelopes that already have stamp on them…a kid brought that when I was at the embassy, and he was told to go out and get new stamps).
8. Bring the I-20 document (or DS-2019)
9. Bring 1 passport size photo (follow the photo requirements)
10. Bring proof of  funds to cover all expenses (e.g. letter from Lånekassen or a bank statement) – should be the same documents that you sent to your school to obtain the I-20.
11. My school advised me to bring additional documents, but I chose not to do so. First, I didn’t have any of the documents they suggested; and second, I think it might look suspicious if you bring a bunch of documents that the embassy in Norway doesn’t require. For other countries though, it might be wise to follow the school’s advice.
12. Don’t bring a laptop or medium-large handbag! I had to get off the line to go to a nearby 7 Eleven, and pay 25 NOK to have them store my handbag (the embassy have an arrangement with them, as people often bring bags/luggage). You can bring your phone and wallet to the embassy, but the security will store the phone for you while your inside the embassy. So basically, to save you time (and stress), don’t bring more than what you absolutely need.