Applying for a Student Visa to the United States

Where Do I Start?

The United States Government encourages students from other countries to apply for student visas and study in the United States of America.
The first step for an applicant to apply for a student visa is to secure college acceptance. For more information on study opportunities in the United States, please contact our Educational Advisor in the Public Affairs section at the U.S Embassy here in Tripoli, Libya at PAOTripoli@state.gov
Depending on the sort of program you are accepted to, your program sponsor will send you a form (I-20 or DS-2019) after your acceptance into the program.
Once you obtain your I-20 or DS-2019, you should check the spelling of your name in the I-20 or DS-2019 and make sure it matches the way it’s spelled in your passport.  If it is different, you should immediately contact your program sponsor for a correction.

Only after you have an I-20 or DS-2019 with your name correct should you apply for a visa.

Where Can I Apply?

The Embassy of the United States of America in Tripoli is not yet processing visa applications from the general public. The Embassy is working to institute full visa services to Libyan nationals as soon as possible and will make a public announcement when visa services in Tripoli begin. Libya is part of the consular district of the U.S. Embassy in Tunis.  Residents of Libya should apply in Tunis.
The consular section of U.S. Embassy Tunis is located at Zone Nord-Est des Berges du Lac Nord de Tunis/2045 La Goulette Tunisie. You may contact the U.S. Embassy Tunis by telephone at +216-71-107-000 or by email at ConsularTunis@State.gov

WheN SHOULD i APPLY?

It is important to start your visa application process as soon as possible, since administrative processing can delay the issuance of a visa.  The Embassy has no way to predict how quickly your visa may be ready, so it is vital that you apply as soon as possible.


All applicants must make an appointment for their interview using our online system. This allows us to provide timely and professional service to all applicants. The waiting time for an interview appointment for applicants can vary, so early visa application is strongly encouraged.  Applicants without appointments will not be allowed into the Embassy. Click here to make your interview appointment.

What Do I Need to Bring?

Applicants should gather the following documents.
1-       Passport valid for at least six months beyond any planned travel in the U.S    and at least one blank page
2-       A 131 U.S. dollar (or equivalent in Tunisian dinars) non-refundable application fee
3-       One color photograph 5x5 cm with white background and full exposure of the face (tip of the head to the tip of the chin). Women wearing scarves for religious reasons are not required to remove their scarves so long as the scarf does not obscure any portion of the face.
4-       An electronic visa form. All applicants must complete the electronic visa application form DS156. Applicants should complete the form online and follow the instructions to print it out in 3 pages with barcodes and sign the completed application. In addition, all male applicants must complete a DS157. All students must complete a DS158.

5-       The original I-20 or DS-2019
6-       SEVIS fees (I-901) must be paid on-line and at the time of the interview the proof of payment must be submitted to the Consular staff. (For more information about the SEVIS fees please contact our Public affairs Office or the SEVIS payment website at  www.fmjfee.com.)
7-       Any documents supporting your financial ability to afford studying in the United States of America (Bank Statement, Governmental scholarship proof). documents do not need to be notarized

8-       The appointment confirmation page

For more information, you may also contact the U.S. Embassy in Tripoli from Sunday to Thursday between 8:00 and 16:45 at +218-21-335-1235 or by email to TripoliConsular@state.gov. You may also visit the Embassy’s website at Libya.usembassy.gov
Consular Section / U.S. Embassy Tripoli, Libya