International Students

Congratulations for being accepted as an international student at St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary. An exciting journey awaits you.
Please care fully read the information below. It will help you prepare to apply for a student visa (F-1), prepare for traveling to the U.S. and to maintain legal status during your stay.

Student Visa

A citizen of a foreign country who seeks to enter the United States generally must first obtain a U.S. visa, which is placed in the traveler’s passport, a travel document issued by the traveler’s country of citizenship. Certain international travelers may be eligible to travel to the United States without a visa if they meet the requirements for visa-free travel. The Visa section of this website is all about U.S. visas for foreign citizens who travel to the United States. Visit the U.S. Department of State website for more information about U.S. Visas.

Follow these steps to apply for a student (F-1) visa, after the Seminary issues your Form I-20:

  1. Pay the SEVIS Fee (please note that this fee is non-refundable)
  2. Fill out and submit Form DS-160
  3. Visit ustraveldocs.com, select your country and follow instructions to pay the visa processing fee (please note that this fee is non-refundable).
  4. Visit ustraveldocs.com, and schedule your visa appointment at the local U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
  5. Attend your interview. Bring your passport, Form I-20, SEVIS Fee Receipt, SVS Letter of Acceptance and any other relevant documents for your personal situation.
  6. If your visa is approved, the U.S. Embassy will retain your passport and return it after visa stamping.