Nonimmigrant Visas

SEVIS Nationality and Country of Birth Codes

Applicants for student visas (F, M and J) should check their I-20 form or DS-2019 form to make sure that their country of citizenship and country of birth are correctly printed on the document. It is important that each applicant's country of citizenship and country of birth are correctly printed on his/her I-20 or DS-2019 and his/her SEVIS record. If the country of citizenship and/or country of birth are incorrect on these forms, the consular officer may require the visa applicant to have the U.S. university, college or school make a correction to the respective form and SEVIS record. Country of citizenship and country of birth accuracy is important because the U.S. Department of Homeland Security may not admit a student into the U.S. with incorrect documents.

The following country of citizenship and country of birth codes are accepted for each specified nationality:

Hong Kong SAR Passport Holders (HKSAR)--Country of citizenship must be Hong Kong or China (Britain or U.K. not acceptable)

British National Overseas Passport Holders (BNO)--Country of citizenship must be Hong Kong or China (Britain or U.K. not acceptable)

British Passport Holders (British citizens, not BNO)--Country of citizenship must be the United Kingdom

Macau SAR Passport Holders--Country of citizenship must be Macau or China (Portugal not acceptable)

Portuguese Passport Holders (Portuguese citizens)--Country of citizenship must be Portugal

 

Additional Information

• Studying in the United States (F/J/M)

 

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Last modified: March 31, 2006