A F4 Visa Bulletin is issued at the conclusion of each academic year to inform students of any changes to their F4 visa status. It is also sent out to new visa applicants, and to anyone who needs an updated visa status or has recently applied for a visa. The F4 visa is available to students from countries in South and Central America, the Caribbean Islands, Central America, and the Middle East. Students may apply to their home country first and then apply to a different country.
In addition to receiving the F4 visa bulletin, each school must have a Student Program Handbook. This document contains the complete application procedure, and instructions on when a student may apply for his or her visa. The program must be approved by the Department of State within seven to ten days of receipt. When the visa has been accepted, it is sent to the school, along with a statement of acceptance. The school must then begin processing the student's F4 visa applications.
If a student has recently graduated from an institution of higher learning, or if he or she plans to attend such an institution for the duration of his or her studies, the school should have received the F4 visa bulletin. It is important that a student receive a F4 visa bulletin prior to departing the United States. This notification can be sent via mail or emailed to the student, and may be included with a Student Program Handbook. The school must also have received all the necessary visa paperwork. The school will send the papers directly to the Department of State.
If the school sends students an F4 visa bulletin, they are not required to apply for a visa at this time. The F4 visa may be required before a student can apply for his or her permanent residence. The F4 visa can be issued in person by an embassy of the country concerned or by a representative of the Department of State. The application can be faxed or mailed. A copy of the F4 visa bulletin must accompany the visa application, which must be returned with the appropriate fees in order to process the visa.
When a student has a visa, the first step is to register for a course at an eligible college. The student must also register for a residence in a country that the school is planning to attend. After receiving all necessary papers from the Department of State, the school must submit the completed F4 visa bulletin. to the Department of State for verification.
Students who are already in the United States but have not received the F4 visa bulletin may apply at the Department of State to receive an updated visa. A student may apply for an updated F4 visa from his or her home country, or from the university. If the F4 visa is being obtained from another country, the school should forward the application to the concerned embassy or a representative. The school must also have received all necessary paperwork at the United States embassy. After a request for a visa is received, a new F4 visa should be issued, and the school notified of the approval.
