Visa Information
If you are citizen of a country other than the United States, you are required to get a student visa to study in the U.S. (Note: Canadian Citizens do not need a visa, but they do need a passport and I-20 or DS-2019 to enter the U.S. as a student.) Degree seeking students will be issued an I-20 document and will need to obtain a F-1 visa. Exchange student and visitors will be issued a DS-2019 and will need to obtain a J-1 visa.
- Upon receipt of your I-20 document or DS-2019, schedule a visa appointment at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate that issues visas. An interview will be required.
- Find the location nearest you at: http://www.usembassy.gov/
- Note “visa wait times.” You may apply for your visa up to 120 days before the start date on your I-20 or DS-2019. http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/wait/tempvisitors_wait.php
- Pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee
- Anyone applying for an F-1 or J-1 visa is required to pay the SEVIS fee.
- Plan to pay the fee at least 3 days prior to your visa interview.
- For more detailed information about the SEVIS fee, including options for payment, refer to: https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/
- Note: the SEVIS fee is a separate fee from the visa application fee.
- Upon receipt of the F-1 or J-1 visa, you may enter the U.S. not more than 30 days prior to the start date on your I-20 or DS 2019.
Receipt of an I-20 or DS-2019 from St. Cloud State University or any other school in no way guarantees that you will be issued a visa. In addition, receipt of an F-1 or J-1 visa does not guarantee entry into the U.S. Customs and Border Control officers will inspect your immigration documents at the port of entry to determine your admissibility into the U.S.
For additional information about non-immigrant visas and rules for visiting the U.S., refer to: http://travel.state.gov/.
Change of Status
If you are currently in the U.S. in a status other than F-1 and you have been accepted to begin studying at St. Cloud State University, you will need to change status to F-1. Please review the information for eligibility requirements and the process to change status from within the U.S. You may also change status by leaving the U.S. and applying for an F-1 visa prior to beginning your studies at St. Cloud State University.
