The Important Stuff: Visa Application (Part 1)

Hi all!

This will be the first of three posts about the actual visa application to be followed by a fourth post that will focus on the visa appointment. This particular post will cover the SEVIS application and payment. My vlogs on the visa process are sectioned off in a similar way (the content of the third visa application post has been added on the the end of the second vlog instead of standing alone) and my vlog on the SEVIS application can be found here.

Important Information:

Any bold words/sentences/sections are answers to questions that were asked quite a few times while participants were completing the form. If you're searching for a quick answer to a question check the bold parts first.

Before we get into this post there are a few things I need to make clear. You CAN NOT begin the visa process before you have received the DS-2019 from Disney. You will receive your DS-2019 around 2 to 1 1/2 months before your arrival date. If your intake has two arrival dates, those with the earlier arrival will receive their forms first. You will not receive your DS-2019 until you have completed your first year of post secondary education (as this is a requirement of the visa itself) and have provided Disney with a Proof of Student Status form, signed by your school, that states you fulfill this requirement. 

When your DS-2019 is dispatched you will get an email from FedEx informing you that your package is on its way. The email provides you with an estimated arrival time and a tracking number. I encourage you to click the link that takes you to the FedEx tracking page because the estimated arrival time on the website is updated if any changes are made. The information on the FedEx website will be more accurate than the estimate in the email.

When your FedEx package arrives you will either have to sign for it or leave a note giving the courier your permission to leave the package without a signature. If for some reason you miss the delivery then the package will be taken back to the FedEx depot where you will have to go pick it up.

SEVIS (I-901) Application & Fee Payment:

Once your DS-2019 arrives you can start the visa application process. Head on over to www.FMJFee.com. On the home page click on the nice blue button that says 'Submit Form I-901 and Fee Payment'.

The next page is a quick note about needing a DS-2019 (or I-20 but that doesn't apply to you) before you can proceed followed by a list of warnings. Make sure you give these a quick read because they are things you need to be aware of. Once you've taken note of the warnings you'll get to a question at the bottom of the page that asks which form you have out of the DS-2019 or the I-20. Click the DS-2019 check bubble and then click 'OK'.

The next page asks for your name, your SEVIS identification number (found in the top right hand corner of your DS-2019) and date of birth. After clicking enter on this page you will be taken to another page that wants more personal details. You must enter your personal address (not Disney's), gender, city of birth, country of birth, country of citizenship, exchange visitor program number (found on the DS-2019, to the left of the barcode), passport number, exchange visitor category (Summer Work/Travel, listed as item number 4 on the form, just above the middle of the form). After entering all of these details proceed to the next page.

The next page of the form asks you to confirm the details you entered. It is incredibly important that you ensure your details are correct before proceeding.

You are taken to a page that asks you to pay. Select either credit card or check/money order (no eftpos). On the next page you are asked for your payment information and billing address which you must submit and then check over again on the next page. The next page, provided your payment was successful, is a payment confirmation. Print this page. You must take it with you to your appointment at the US Consulate. 

After you've printed out the confirmation page you're done with the SEVIS application. This is probably the easiest part of the application so don't be lulled into a false sense of security. The next step (DS-160) will bite you in the ass.

- Lily