In general anyone who decides to study in the United States needs to request a student visa, even if it is not a formal school with the purpose of completing a diploma.

EXCEPTION: The tourist/business visa or B-1/B-2 can be used for studies in the United States only if the studies are incidental on the tourist or business trip. The majority of the people need to request a visa to go to the United States to study. Before signing up for a language course in the United States while on vacation check with the school to make sure you do not need a student visa to attend.

Student visas will not be emitted for public day cares, preschools, or public schools up to the 8th grade. This also applies to schools for adults that have public financial backing. The only option for the people interested in studding in these areas is to attend private schools.

The first thing you should do is communicate with the school and request an I-20 form (M-N). This form should be read and signed by the appropriate official of the school. You cannot request a visa without the I-20 (M-N) form. If you have received the I-20(M-N) form you can present the request to the consular, 120 days before the beginning of your academic program. In general the M1 visa allows you to enter the United States 30 days before the program begins and allows you to stay up to 60 days after the program ends.

You need to pay the SEVIS fee before you attend your interview for your visa in the Consular Section. Your visa will NOT be approved if the SEVIS fee is not paid.

Visa M2 (Spouse and minor children of the M1 visa holder.):

The spouse and minor single children can request a M2 visa to accompany the holder of the M1 visa to the United States. Unless the family members are going to enter the United States with other intentions then they will need to apply for another type of visa.

The applicants for the relative visas should apply at the same time as the principal applicant. The school will register the name of the principal applicant into the SEVIS system, at the same time they will add the name of any family member that is thinking of traveling with the principal applicant. The I-20 (M-N) form is necessary for each family member.

  • In general, the family members are not allowed to work.
  • The children with these visas can attend public or private schooling.

Requirements:

  1. Demonstrate that you know a sufficient amount of English that will allow you to pursuit the intended studies or, prove that the school will offer sufficient language training that will allow you to pursue the intended studies
  2. Prove that you have access to sufficient funds that will cover all expenses during your stay in the United States.
  3. Show satisfactory evidence of permanent residence outside the United States and binding ties that will compel you to leave the United States after your studies are completed.

Documentation:

  1. Form I-20 (M-N) that is generated by the SEVIS system. This form must be completed and signed by the appropriate school official and by the applicant. Each applicant must have his or her own I-20 form signed by the appropriate people.
  2. Their transcripts or evidence of other qualifications, as required by the school.
  3. Applicants 16 Years Old and Older Only: A completed DS-158 Form which covers contact information and work history.
This form is available at http://montevideovisas.usembassy.gov.
  4. Principal Applicant Only: Proof of payment of the SEVIS fee;
  5. Derivative Applicant(s) Only M2:
    a. If the main applicant is not applying at the same time: A copy of main applicant’s documents including a copy a letter from the school stating that the applicant is currently studying.
    b. Proof of relationship, such as a birth or marriage certificate.
    c. A copy of the student visa of the principal applicant;
  6. General Application Documents

Important Notes:

• University medical students do NOT need a student visa in order to carry out an “elective clerkship” at a United States university hospital without remuneration from the hospital. They may apply for a visitor visa. This does not apply to graduate medical students who need a J visa.

• If you have signed up for a language course (with a study load of 18 hours a week) while your on vacations in the United States, you can qualify for a visitors visa. Although you should check with the school or program and make sure a student visa is not required.

• REENTRY INFORMATION:

You may be readmitted after a temporary absence from the United States of 5 months or less by presenting a:

• A valid passport
• A valid student visa
• A new SEVIS generated I-20 or Page 3 of the I-20 properly endorsed for reentry if the information on the I-20 is current

Frequent Questions About the Student Visa

1) When is it possible to use a tourist / business B-1/B-2 visa to study in the United States?
The tourist/ business B-1/B-2 visas can be used to study only if the studies are incidental during the business/ tourist trip. The majority of the people that go to the United States to study need to apply for a Student Visa.

2) Can I study in a primary or secondary public school in the United States?
Due to a change in legislation in 1996, the student visas are not emitted to students in primary public schools. Foreign students can stay up to one year in a public secondary school (between 9th and 12th grade) and will need to be able to demonstrate that they have paid, in advance the total price of correspondence through out the period of the course.

3) What happens if I desire to stay longer in the United States once I have arrived than the department of National Security allows?
If you wish to stay longer in the United States than authorized by the I-94 form, you will need to request an extension directly from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). If you stay longer than authorized by the DHS without the extension, you’re compromising your possibilities of qualifying for another visa.

4) I have a valid student visa, but I want to change Universities. What should I do?
Whom ever has a valid student visa (visa F or M), and decides to change universities and has the new I-20 form from the new university, does not need to apply for another student visa. Nevertheless, the student should inform the university about the change and also inform the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

If you have already started to study and wish to change schools, you can reenter the United States with the valid student visa and the new I-20 from. Please note that the immigration official at the port of entry determines whether or not you may enter the United States. (Some students have been asked by the immigration authorities at the port of entry to obtain a new visa before being admitted for reentry.)

5) I have a valid Student Visa but I wish to continue studying after it expires. Do I need to request a new visa?
Depends. If you wish to stay in the United States until you finish your studies and continue studying after the expiration of your student visa, you can as long as you keep your I-20 form up to date. If you decide to leave the United States and return to Uruguay for any amount of time and you wish to return to the United States to continue studying we recommend that you request a new I-20 form and later request an interview through our Visas Information Service and present your case in the interview in the consular section in the Embassy of the United States in Montevideo.

It is often permitted for students to enter the United States in the period of “duration of status” which means that while you’re studying in the United States and have your I-20 forms up to date you are considered in a legal state, even if your visa has expired. It’s important for you to know that if you leave the United States, you will not be able to reenter with the expired student visa. You will have to request a new visa when you’re out of the country.