Receiving your visa

Before your visa interview, complete the application and required forms, and take steps to prepare for the process.

Schedule the visa interview:

  • Complete the visa application form DS-160 External link.
  • Have a photograph taken following the photo requirements and attach it to the DS-160 form.
  • Complete the I-901 form and pay the U.S. $200 SEVIS I-901 fee External link
    • Have on hand your SEVIS number printed on the upper right-hand corner of the I-20 form and the Columbia College school code:
      • Columbia, MO: KAN214F00119000
      • Elgin, IL: KAN214F00119001
      • Denver, CO: DEN214F00489000
      • Salt Lake City, UT: DEN214F10253000
    • Print the receipt to provide when you attend your interview.
  • Schedule a visa interview appointment at a U.S. Consulate External link.

Prepare for the visa interview

The day before the interview

Gather the following documents to take with you to your visa interview appointment:

  • Passport (valid for at least 6 months from the date of interview)
  • I-20 form
  • Receipt for the paid SEVIS fee
  • Visa application fee receipt
  • Interview appointment letter
  • Application forms (DS-156,DS-157,DS-158)
  • Supporting bank/financial documents
  • Degrees, diplomas, certificates and/or transcripts
  • English proficiency test scores, if available (TOEFL, IELTS)
  • Admission test scores if available (SAT, ATC, GRE, GMAT)
  • Photograph

The day of the interview

  • Collect all the materials you gathered the day before the interview.
  • Arrive to the interview early to ensure you arrive on time.
  • Follow the instructions provided at the consulate.
  • Sit for your interview.
  • Let your admissions counselor know how your interview went.

After receiving a visa

  • Visit an EducationUSA External link office for additional assistance and travel preparation.
  • Schedule your trip to Columbia.
  • Columbia College will pick you up from Lambert-St. Louis International Airport External link (airport code STL) or from Columbia Regional Airport External link (airport code COU).
    Pick-ups require arriving on selected days and coordinating arrival information with the International Center.
  • Be sure to schedule your flight with enough time to arrive by the beginning International Student Orientation.
  • Submit your travel itinerary to the International Center, including:
    • Arrival Airport
    • Airline
    • Final arriving flight number
    • Date and time of arrival
    • Phone number during travel

    Label the subject/title of your e-mail with your full name and "New Student Arrival".