Non-Immigrant Visas

Almost all visa applications are adjudicated at the time of the applicants’ appearance at the Consular Section, but some cases require additional processing that may delay completion.  Issued visas are generally printed and returned to the applicant the next business day at 4 PM.  Student visa applicants can apply up to 120 days before the start of their academic studies.  However, the Consular Section can only issue a visa 90 days in advance of the start of the program and students can only enter 30 days before the start of their academic studies.

All applicants that are refused visas to the United States will be handed a letter at the conclusion of the interview that explains the basis of the refusal.

Visas do not guarantee entry into the United States.  Responsibility for authorizing entry lies with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officers at U.S. ports of entry, not with interviewing Consular Officers.

What to bring with you

Forms

All applicants are required to bring the Electronic Visa Application Form, commonly known as the EVAF or DS-156, with them to the interview.  The form can be accessed directly from the Embassy website or please click here.  The EVAF must be printed out on a laser jet printer rather than a color ink jet printer.  Applicants also need to ensure that the bar code on the last page is legible.  If you do not bring the EVAF filled out electronically, we will not be able to process the application.  Applicants also need to bring the original receipt with them.

Further, all male visa applicants between the ages of 16 and 45 are required to fill out DS-157.  DS-157 can be accessed from the same websites listed above. 
All student applicants and their dependants are required to bring the DS-158, Contact Information and Work History form.

Picture

All applicants must submit two pictures.  Pictures should be 5 by 5 cm.  If you go to local photo shops in Ulaanbaatar tell them that you need a picture for a U.S. visa.  We have found that most photo shops produce the correct sized photograph.

Passport

All applicants must submit a valid passport.  To enter the United States, the passport must be valid for six months beyond the intended period of stay in the United States.  If the passport is valid for less than six months, your application cannot be processed and you will be asked to return after you have received a new passport or have extended your old passport with the appropriate Mongolian authorities.

I-20 Form

All applicants must present a valid I-20 form issued by the school that they will attend.  The U.S. Embassy does not issue the I-20 form.  Students cannot interview with the Embassy until they have received the I-20 form.  When students receive the I-20 from their academic institution, they should carefully examine it to determine that all information is accurate.  Inaccuracies in the I-20 could delay the issuance of a visa.

Proof of Payment of SEVIS Fee and MRV Fee

All applicants must present proof that they have paid the MRV fee and the SEVIS fee.  The Trade and Development Bank of Mongolia will give applicants a receipt after they pay the MRV fee.  Applicants will need to bring this receipt with them to the interview.  As mentioned above, applicants will also need to present proof that they have paid the SEVIS fee.  The academic program where an applicant will study will provide detailed information on how to pay the SEVIS fee.  Applicants can also visit http://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/index.htm or www.fmjfee.com to get information on their options for paying the fee.  The Embassy cannot accept payment of the SEVIS fee.

Supporting Documentation

General Information

Under U.S. immigration law, applicants for student visas are presumed to be intending immigrants.  To qualify for a nonimmigrant visa, applicants must clearly demonstrate their intent to depart the United States by proving that they have strong ties to their home country and a residence that they will return to at the conclusion of their trip to the United States.  Evidence of a job or professional ties, property holdings, family ties and responsibilities, and bank accounts will all be evaluated in the course of the interview. 

Student applicants also need to present proof that they have the financial resources readily available to pay for the first year of school (or a shorter period of time if applicable) and that they have access to a funding source for studies beyond one year.

There are no requirements for an applicant to submit documentation with their nonimmigrant visa application.  However, applicants must demonstrate that they are eligible for a student visa.  Evidence that shows the reasons for pursuing academic studies in the United States, the intent to depart the United States, and arrangements made to cover the costs of the studies, may be provided.  Due to the number of fraudulent bank letters, the Embassy has determined that bank letters are not sufficient proof of financial ability to cover the costs of a trip.  Original bank books or bank statements provide stronger evidence of proof of an applicant’s financial situation.

Due to the unique nature of each individual’s academic plans, it is impossible to specify the exact evidence that an applicant must submit.  Applicants should carefully consider what they believe will support their application for a student visa to the United States.

Questions

If you have general questions, please click here. The best way to contact the Consular Section if you have questions is via e-mail at cons@usembassy.mn.  An applicant may also call the Consular Section 3-4 PM everyday except Tuesdays at 976-11-329-095.  Please do not send unsolicited documents via facsimile or post.  The Consular Section assumes no responsibility for such documents.

Fraud Warning

There are many businesses that make claims that they can help an applicant get a U.S. visa.  The U.S. Embassy has not authorized any of these companies to provide assistance to applicants and in many cases, these companies will charge substantial fees and may be involved with fraudulent activities. 

The submission of fraudulent documents can carry serious penalties for a visa applicant.  Applicants should consider carefully whether or not to use a commercial company to assist in the application process.  Applicants are responsible for all submitted materials and will be held responsible if documents are found to be fraudulent.

Applicants found guilty of attempting to obtain nonimmigrant visas through fraud or willful misrepresentation of a material fact may be permanently refused visas and denied entry into the United States.