- How to Apply
- After the Interview
Student Visa (F-1/M-1)
Before you can apply at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate for an F or M student visa, you must first apply to and be accepted by a SEVP approved school. Visit the Department of Homeland Security Study in the States school search page to search for SEVP-certified schools.
When you are accepted by the U.S. school you plan to attend, you will be enrolled in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). You must pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee. The U.S. school will provide you with a Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1/M-1) Student Status-For Academic and Language Students (Form I-20) to present to the consular officer when you attend your visa interview. If your spouse and/or children intend to reside with you in the United States while you study, they must obtain individual Form I-20s, but they do not pay the SEVIS fee. Visit the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) website to learn more about SEVIS and the SEVIS I-901 Fee
Exchange Visitor Visa (J-1)
Before you can apply at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate for a J-1 visa, you must first apply for and be accepted into an exchange visitor program through a designated sponsoring organization. Visit the Department of State J-1 Visa Exchange Visitor Program website to learn about program requirements, regulations, and more.
When you are accepted into the exchange visitor program you plan to participate in, you will be enrolled in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Most J-1 Exchange Visitors must pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee. Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status, Form DS-2019. After your program sponsor enters your information in the SEVIS system, a SEVIS-generated Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status (Form DS-2019) is provided to you. All exchange visitors, including their spouses and minor children, must be registered in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Each person receives a separate Form DS-2019. Visit the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) website to learn more about SEVIS and the SEVIS I-901 Fee.
In addition to the Form DS 2019, participants in the J-1 Trainee and Intern categories require Form DS-7002 (based on Box 7 on Form DS-2019). Learn more about the Trainee and Intern programs.
Step 1. Check the Validity of Your Passport
Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States and contains one blank page to place a visa. Likewise, the U.S. Customers and Border Protection (CBP) agency recommends having one additional blank page in your passport for the entry stamp.
Step 2. Complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160
Complete Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160
Please note that you must answer EVERY question on the application to the best of your knowledge. If the answer to a question is “none,” please write “none”(Do not leave it blank). Incomplete/incorrect forms will be returned and will require you to schedule a new interview appointment.
Step 3. Collect any Supporting Documentation
Only a passport, DS-160 confirmation page, a photo, and DS-2019 OR I-20 form are required for the visa interview.
A 5×5 cm color photo must not be older than 6 months with a light or white background, without glasses, hairline and ears MUST be clearly visible.
Additional documents may be requested to establish if you are qualified. For example, additional requested documents may include evidence of:
- A residence abroad which you do not intend to abandon
- Your family relationships
- Your economic situation
- Your long term plans
Step 4. Schedule an Interview Appointment
If you would like to schedule an appointment for exchange visitors (F,M,J) visa, please send us an e-mail to PodgoricaVisas@state.gov
Fill out a REQUEST to accompany an applicant two business days prior to the scheduled appointment, if you are:
- Professional translator for languages other than English and Montenegrin,
- Parents of child under age of 18, or
- Caretaker for people with special needs.
Step 5. Interview for your visa with the Consular Officer
On the day of your interview, please pay the following nonrefundable visa application fee. The MRV fee can be paid in Euros only. Credit cards cannot be accepted. The Embassy strongly encourages applicants to bring the exact amount of the MRV fee.
During your visa interview, a consular officer will determine whether you are qualified to receive a visa, and if so, which visa category is appropriate based on your purpose of travel. You will need to establish that you meet the requirements under U.S. law to receive the category of visa for which you are applying.
If your visa has been denied, you may find useful information on Ineligibilities and Waivers on usvisas.state.gov.
Step 6. Return to Collect Your Passport and Visa
If you are issued the visa, typically, you can pick up your passport in seven days. Passports are available for pick up every Tuesday and Friday from 12:00PM until 12:10PM. Closed on U.S. & Montenegrin Holidays
Some visa applications require further administrative processing, which takes additional time after the visa applicant’s interview by a consular officer. Applicants are advised of this requirement when they apply. Most administrative processing is resolved within 90 days of the visa interview. When administrative processing is required, the timing will vary based on the individual circumstances of each case.
