U.S Immigration/Student Visa

The I-20 is for international applicants who are admitted to a degree program on campus. 

If you are outside of the United States:
The Admissions Office will mail your I-20 by regular international airmail. After receiving your I-20, make sure that all the information is correct and that your name is spelled exactly as it appears on your passport.

If you are in the U.S. with  F-1 student status:
If you are currently attending another U.S. school as an F-1 student you are considered a SEVIS Immigration transfer. 

Note: If you have been outside the United States for less than five (5) months after attending another U.S. school, you may be considered a SEVIS transfer.

If you are a Canadian citizen, you do not need to apply for U.S. student visa but must have an I-20/DS-2019 form in order to enter the U.S. with a F-1/J-1 student status. 

The DS-2019 is typically for applicants who are admitted as part of an Exchange Visitor Program and will seek/maintain the J-1 exchange student or visiting scholar status.

If your husband, wife and/or children will join you as your dependent(s), each dependent will need to have his/her own Certificate of Eligibility to apply for the J-2 dependent visa. LSUA must receive proof of financial resources for their support in addition to the amount needed for yourself. Click here for the current estimated expenses, including dependent expenses.

How long is my I-20 or DS-2019 valid?

 The I-20 form will list the date when your studies are to begin. You may enter the United States up to 30 days before this date. The date on the I-20 form of when the program will end is the expiration date. Once expired, you will lose your student visa status and must leave the United States within 60 days.

What if I lose my I-20 or DS-2019 form?

If the I-20 form is lost, a new one can be requested from LSUA. It can be problematic if you lose the I-20 form outside of the U.S., as a replacement can take a few weeks to arrive; therefore, classes could be missed while waiting. Until you receive the new I-20 form, you will not be allowed to re-enter the United States.

When will I need the I-20 or DS-2019 form?

The I-20 form is very important and you will need it for various things, including:

SEVIS is an electronic Student and Exchange Visitor Information System for maintaining information on international students and exchange visitors in the United States. All international students and exchange visitors must be registered and pay the I-901 SEVIS fee before applying for their U.S. student visa. 

Note: The SEVIS fee is not the same as the visa application fee. 

Choose one of the following methods to pay SEVIS fee:

1. Pay online at fmjfee.com with a credit or debit card.
2. Make payment through Western Union Quick Pay.
3. Use a check or a money order, which must be drawn from a U.S. bank. 

For more detailed information regarding SEVIS fee payment, please see the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (US ICE) website. Note: In box number 2, on the Certificate of Eligibility, you will find Louisiana State University's School Code (I-20) or Exchange Visitor Program number (DS-2019). 

You must present the receipt as proof of payment for your visa. It is important that the SEVIS ID number on your I-90 SEVIS Fee receipt matches your SEVIS ID number on your I-20 form. 

How to Apply

The steps to complete visa process may vary by U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Please consult the instructions on the embassy or consulate website. For more information about U.S Student Visa, please visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study/student-visa.html.

1. Complete the Online Visa Application Form DS-160 and print the form confirmation page to bring to your interview. Learn more about completing the DS-160.

2. Prepare Required Document: You should have the following documents available while you complete your DS-160. 

• Photo - You will need to upload your photo to the form. Please see Photograph Requirements.
• Passport - Provide a current passport that is valid for at least six months after your proposed date of entry into the U.S.
• Form I-20 for the F-1 visa or a DS-2019 for the J-1 visa. 
• Proof of I-90 SEVIS fee payment and SEVIS ID, which is printed on your I-20 or DS-2019.
• Evidence of financial support for the time period and amount indicated on the I-20 or DS-2019 form. To show that you or your parents can cover tuition cost and living expenses during the period of your intended study, evidence of financial support may include a certificate of sponsorship/ scholarship from the institution, original bank books, and/or bank statements.
• Provide the address of the school/program at which you intend to study. This information should also be located on your I-20 or DS-2019 form.

3. Prepare for your interview by providing the following:

• Transcripts and diplomas from previous institutions attended.
• Scores from standardized tests required by the educational institution such as the TOEFL, SAT, GRE, GMAT, etc.
• Proof that you have a residence abroad that you have no intention of abandoning.
• A receipt for visa processing fee (see the website for the U.S Consulate in your country for specific instructions on paying this fee.)

The wait time for a visa interview or appointment vary at each U.S Consulate or Embassy, so applying as early as possible is encouraged. However, you should not schedule a visa appointment until after you receive your I-20/DS-2019 to ensure that you have all the required documents for your appointment. Each country’s U.S Consulate or Embassy has its own procedures for scheduling a visa interview appointment and paying the DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application fee. To familiarize yourself with these procedures, visit the U.S Consulate or Embassy website, where you will be applying for the visa.

Visa Interview
The visa interview will be the most important part of the process. You should remember that the person who interviews you does not have a lot of time, so the more organized you are for the interview, the better the process will go. 
 
NAFSA: Association of International Educators has put together a list of tips for your interview, which can be viewed on the NAFSA’s website.
 
Be advised that you should not buy your airline ticket until you learn that your visa application is approved.