1️⃣ Before You Start: Prep Like It’s Game Day
You’ll need:
🛂 Passport
📄 I-20 form from your college
🧾 Previous U.S. visa info, if any
🎓 School address + coach contact if available
2. Start Your Application
Go to CEAC (the U.S. visa application website).
Click “Start An Application.”
Write down your Application ID immediately. Think of it like saving your progress in a race; lose the ID, and you start from zero.
3. Personal Information
Use your full legal name exactly as in your passport.
English letters only (A–Z). No accents.
Example: Sao Paulo instead of São Paulo.
Accuracy here = no delays from the embassy.
4. Travel Information
Select F-1 Student as purpose of trip.
Enter your best estimate for arrival.
For U.S. address → use your college’s address or international student office.
5. Previous U.S. Travel
If you’ve been to the U.S. before, list:
Dates
Purpose (competition, vacation, etc.)
Type of visa used
Honesty helps the visa officer understand your history.
6. Your Contact Information
Current home address
Phone number
Email you actually check
This is how immigration may contact you—don’t list your old school email that you never open.
7. Passport Details
Passport number
Country of issue
Expiration date
✔️ Must be valid 6 months beyond your planned stay.
8. U.S. Point of Contact
If you don’t know anyone in the U.S., that’s normal.
You can list:
Your international student office, or
Your coach (if they allow it)
9. Family Information
Enter details about your parents and (if applicable) spouse.
This does not affect your scholarship or eligibility.
10. Education / Work History
Schools you attended + any work experience.
11. Security Questions
Answer carefully and truthfully.
Most questions relate to:
Health
Criminal history
Immigration issues
If the answer is “Yes,” you must explain.
12. Additional Contacts
List two people who know you well (not family). Coaches commonly accept being listed.
13. SEVIS Information (Students, This Is For You!)
From your I-20:
SEVIS ID (begins with N00…)
School/program details
SEVIS fee status
This section connects you to your university’s roster of international students.
14. Photo Upload
Upload a recent, front-facing, neutral-expression photo.
If it fails, bring a printed photo to your interview.
15. Review Everything
Before submitting, check:
Passport number
Dates
School name & address
SEVIS ID
Travel history
This is like reviewing your competition strategy—don’t skip it.
16. Submit
Click “Sign Application.”
Submit.
Save/print the confirmation page with the barcode.
You MUST bring this to your visa interview.
After Submitting: Your Next Steps 🏅
You still need to:
Schedule your visa interview
Pay the visa fee + SEVIS fee
Bring documents:
DS-160 confirmation page
Passport
I-20
Financial proof (scholarship letter + bank statements)
Acceptance/roster letter (optional but helpful)
This is your moment to show the consular officer why you are coming to the U.S.: to study, train, and compete.
Quick Tips
💾 Save your DS-160 often (session times out in 20 minutes).
📆 Keep your travel date flexible; don’t buy flights before your visa is approved.
💼 If your scholarship covers tuition + housing, bring proof.
🧠 Stay calm. Visa interviews are usually quick, especially for athletes with clear I-20s.