VISA / SEVIS (Immigration) Information

F-1 Degree Seeking Students

 

Obtaining a student or exchange visitor visa

Visa instructions: http://www.UnitedStatesVisas.gov

 

Take the following documents to the U.S. Consulate in your home country to apply for a student or exchange visitor visa. Canadian citizens are exempt from passport/visa requirements.

 

a) A valid passport,

 

b) Form I-20 to apply for an F-1 student visa

 

c) A copy of the financial document that you submitted to NAU indicating that you have sufficient funds to study in the U.S.,

 

d) Admission letter from NAU (be sure it is returned to you),

 

e) Photographs for the visa.

 

Do not enter the U.S. on a visa waiver, tourist visa or border crossing card. You must enter the U.S. as an F-1 or J-1 student.


F-1 Visa: The F-1 visa is issued to students who have the Form I-20 to enter the U.S. to complete a program of study.

 

F-2 Visa: The spouse and children of an F-1 student will receive an F-2 visa. The Form I-20 for each dependent and proof of financial support must be presented to the U.S. consulate to request the F-2 visa. Employment is not permitted.

 

SEVIS

  • Many of you may have heard or read about SEVIS: It is an internet-based system that provides tracking, monitoring, and access to current information on non-immigrant students.
  • SEVIS enables schools to issue Form DS-2019 and Form I-20 and to transmit electronic information via the internet to the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Service and the U.S. Department of State throughout a student or exchange visitor's stay in the U.S.
  • NAU has been approved with SEVIS and will issue SEVIS DS-2019 and SEVIS I-20. It is taking some of the U.S. consulates up to 90 days to issue visas, so apply early.
  • Students must report to the International Office within 10 days of the start date of the program mentioned on Form DS-2019/I-20.
  • You cannot enter the U.S. more than 30 days ahead of the start date. Students who arrive prior to this date will not be admitted to the U.S.
  • If you arrive after the start date on DS-2019/I-20, the officer at the port of entry will either give you Form I-515 to enter or not permit you to enter the U.S. Bring the Form I-515 to the International Office at NAU upon arrival.
  • If you decide not to attend NAU after you receive Form DS-2019/I-20, you need to inform us and return the document.
  • It is very important that you comply with the immigration rules and regulations.
  • International students new to NAU must phyically check-in with the International Office.
  • The International Office will review the student's immigration documents and confirm to SEVIS that the student has arrived on campus.
  • International students will not be able to drop below the full course of study (12 credit hours per semester for undergraduate and 9 credit hours per semester for graduate students) without prior authorization from the International Office.

 

©2007 Arizona Board of Regents
Center for International Education, Northern Arizona University