<p>Okay now that I've got the I-20 document from my first admission package, I'd like to start my visa preparation. However, I've got absolutely no idea how to go about it or how it works. So please experienced, international CCers... I need your help! I'm a Korean by the way. Thanks!</p>
<p>Didn't your college provide information on how to apply for a visa?</p>
<p>hm... you can go to the american embassy in your country's website and they usually have information. you need to pay a SEVIS fee (unless the college pays it for you) and call the embassy to book an interview with them (at least that's how it's done here.) you also need to fill out some paper work, but im not exactly sure which.</p>
<p>hey...I'm sauvik....I'm an applicant from India...and I've applied to the astrophysics program at all my uni choices.....My CR score is 630...which waives the TOEFL requirement at all my uni choices. However, do I need to give the TOEFL ....I mean is it a requirement for getting my F-1 Visa....??? I'm talking about my interview wid a guy from the US embassy...Will he ask for my toefl scores??</p>
<p>Students without toefl scores also get visas, so I think it isn't compulsory for you!</p>
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Okay now that I've got the I-20 document from my first admission package, I'd like to start my visa preparation.
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<p>Careful. You have to use the I-20 from the college you will be attending, not just any generic I-20 form. The government will check with the college whose I-20 you use that you indeed showed up for college at the beginning of the school year. If you use the wrong form, that college will have to report you as absent and you will be in trouble the next time you are trying to enter the US.</p>
<p>The only thing you can do before you decide which college you will ultimately attend is setting up a visa appointment time.</p>
<p>yeah... true i know that i have to wait until i make my final decision.... however i just wanted to get informed about the process. Could anyone share their own experiences?</p>
<p>thanks guys.....I owe you one.....</p>
<p>Hello, your best bet is the U.S. Embassy's website at [Student(F/M)</a> - U.S. Embassy Seoul, Korea<a href="or%20for%20nationals%20of%20other%20countries,%20the%20respective%20websites%20of%20the%20U.S.%20Embassies%20there">/url</a>. The basic requirements are the same everywhere, but the procedures differ from country to country (e.g. in how you make an appointment, how you show you paid the SEVIS fee, whether the embassy is using the new DS-160 form or the old DS-156, 157 and 158 set, etc.). </p>
<p>Yeah, I know this is a no-brainer, but checking and double-checking the list of required forms and documents on the website will really expedite your processing. Most of the U.S. consular websites have application checklists (like this one [url=<a href="http://seoul.usembassy.gov/f_documents.html%5DF_documents">http://seoul.usembassy.gov/f_documents.html]F_documents</a> - U.S. Embassy Seoul, Korea](<a href="http://seoul.usembassy.gov/student.html%5DStudent(F/M)">http://seoul.usembassy.gov/student.html) for Korea) and FAQ pages to answer common questions like "how long before the program start date on my I-20 can I enter the United States in F status?) (30 days).</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>