ThaiSA\Resources\Survival Guide\Getting Ready\VISA and Scholarship Matters

1.1 VISA and Scholarship Matters

**Please check with international student office for current requirements. Information in this page is only informative and may not reflect the current requirements.**

As a student pursuing a degree in the US, a student VISA, F1 or J1 type, is required to enter the country. A tourism VISA (B1/B2 type) will not work. Also, if your passport is expiring, make sure it is renewed before your departure. A VISA can be obtained from US Embassy in Thailand (95 Wireless road, Bangkok 10330, Tel: 205-4000, Email visasbkk@state.gov). There is another US Consulate in Chiang Mai. Please check the hours of operation before going to these two places.
Below is a list of important documents that you will be receiving from the University. These papers are among those required to obtain a VISA to enter the US. Please safeguard them.

1) An admission letter to a degree program at UC Berkeley from the Dean of the Graduate Division.

2) If you are coming on the Kor Por or your own funding, you will receive a document called an I-20. However, if you are coming on a US fellowship or some other US scholarship, you may receive a visa document called an IAP-66. An I-20 (student status) or an IAP-66 (exchange visitor) will be used to apply for your F-1 or J-1 VISA respectively from the US Embassy.

3) Other documents such as Statement of Intent to Register, and Statement of Legal Residence will be sent to you directly from the Graduate Division. You will need to respond to them quickly. Make sure the following documents are ready when requesting a VISA at the US Embassy: OF-156 form (pdf)
Equivalent of $45
Passport
One black and white or color photograph (size = 1 1/2 inches x 1 1/2 inches or 4 cm. X 4 cm.)
I-20 for F1 or IAP-66 for J1
Evidence of sufficient scholarship or personal funds
Evidence of residence outside the US

The visa application fee equivalent to $45 is about 3000 Baht or more, so come prepared. At the US Embassy, you should expect to be interviewed about issues like funding for your studies, your intention to return to your home country, etc. In general, it should not be a problem in getting the F-1 or J-1 visa. An F-1 visa may cover up to eight years (PhD), however a J-1 visa will cover only two years but you may renew it every two years. If Kor Por sponsors you, they will issue you a letter requesting an expedited service when you request a passport and a VISA.
Technically, you can enter the United States up to ninety days before your classes start. Arriving early allows you to find housing, complete some paper works, and settle in.

When you arrive at the airport in San Francisco (SFO), you will have to show your passport, VISA, and I-20 or IAP-66 documents at the immigration counter. The officer will stamp your passport and I-20 or IAP-66. They will give you a pink copy of the visa document and a small white card called I-94. DO NOT, at any cost, lose this I-94 card!! It is the document that demonstrates your legal presence in the US. Staple it to your passport and keep it safely.

Your VISA has to be valid in order to enter the US. It is okay if it expires when you are already in the country for as long as your I-20 or IAP-66 is still valid. But it is good practice to keep the visa valid. For more details visit
http://www.usa.or.th/services/visa/student.htm for more information about F1 VISAs, and http://www.usa.or.th/services/visa/exchange.htm for more information about J1 VISAs. Remember to have your I-20 or IAP-66 endorsed by the Services for International Students and Scholars (SISS) for re-entering the US. Each endorsement is valid for one year and is valid for multiple entries. SISS is at the International House on 2299 Piedmont Avenue (cross with Bancroft Way).