International Student Visa Information for Current Students

• Passport: Must be valid at all times, generally at least 6 months into the future.

• Form I-20 (F-1) / DS-2019 (J-1): Must reflect accurate information, including your major, funding, and program end date. Request a new form if any information changes.

• Change of U.S. address
• Change of major or degree level
• Transfer to another school
• Name change or change in dependent status

• On-campus employment: Up to 20 hours/week during the semester (more during breaks)
• Off-campus employment: Must be authorized in advance (CPT, OPT for F-1; Academic Training for J-1)
• Unauthorized employment is a serious violation of your status.

• J-1 students and their J-2 dependents must carry U.S. government-compliant health insurance for the entire duration of the program.
• F-1 students are required by UM policy to have valid health insurance.
• It is highly reccomended that any F-2 dependents have valid health insurance.

See Health Insurance to learn more.

• Obtain a valid travel signature on your I-20 or DS-2019 before leaving the U.S.
• Ensure your visa and passport are valid for re-entry.

• Complete your program by the end date on your I-20 or DS-2019 unless you apply for a program extension in advance.
• Use your grace period wisely:
  • F-1: 60 days after program end
  • J-1: 30 days after program end
  • You cannot work during the grace period.

1. Verify I-20 Information

Make sure that your name, date of birth, country of birth and citizenship as listed on your I-20 form match what is written in your passport.

If changes are needed on your I-20 contact ISSS at least 2 weeks before travel.

2. Contact Your U.S. Embassy

Students should contact the U.S. Embassy they plan to visit for detailed requirements.

3. Prepare Required Documents

• Active Form I-20 – must be signed for travel by an ISSS DSO within one year prior to the re-entry date.
• Proof of full-time enrollment – Official transcripts  and letter of enrollment from UM Registrar’s Office.
• Proof of current financial support – financial statements, affidavit of support from sponsor, and/or graduate assistantship or scholarship letter.
• Valid passport for a minimum of six months beyond the re-entry date to the U.S.
• Visa application – form, fees, and photographs (according to Embassy required format).

Applicants with dependents must also provide:

• All immigration documents for F-2 dependents.
• Additional funds are needed for each F-2 dependent, thus the amounts on financial documents will need to be higher.
• Proof of relationship to spouse or children (e.g. marriage and birth certificate).
• If dependents apply for a visa without the presence of the principal F-1 student, they need to bring copies of the student’s SEVIS documents.

4. Prior to Leaving the U.S.:

• Students must identify the visa application requirements for the Embassy or Consulate where they plan to apply for a visa renewal. Visit www.usembassy.gov for more information.
• Acquire all documents the Embassy or Consulate need to issue a visa.
• Make a visa appointment.
• Reserve a flight that allows sufficient time to obtain a visa. Certain individuals may be subject to security clearances, which can result in delays of 20 additional business days or more. Students should be aware of the negative effect a delay may have on completing courses when traveling in the middle of a semester.
• Inform an ISSS advisor of visa renewal plans a few weeks in advance. The advisor will verify student’s records and endorse Form I-20 for travel.
• Preparation and organization is important during a visa interview. Students must be mindful that the purpose of a student visa is to study. They must also show they have reasons and plans to return to the home country.

Third Country Nationals: Applying for a Visa Renewal at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate as a Third Country National

Not all Embassies accept third country visa applicants and the decision to accept applications vary throughout the year. Students must contact the Embassy prior to making travel plans and ensure their application is accepted.

• Canada and Mexico are popular locations for visa renewals and have various locations. Students may visit Nonimmigrants in the United States–Applying for Visas in Canada or Mexico for locations and information on how to make an appointment.
  
  Please note that citizens of countries designated as state sponsors of terrorism are ineligible to apply at an Embassy or Consulate at a U.S. border. The list of countries may be found at http://www.state.gov/j/ct/list/c14151.htm. Students who have violated their immigration status may not be eligible to apply for a renewal at U.S. border sites.
• Students who have applied for a visa renewal in a contiguous territory (Canada, Mexico and Caribbean Islands) and are awaiting a decision (visa has not been issued) may not re-enter the U.S. using Automatic Revalidation. Certain individuals will be subject to a security clearance and should expect delays of 20 business days or longer.
  
  If the visa application is denied, students cannot re-enter the United States until they obtain a new visa from the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their home country.

Security Checks

Security checks during application for a visa stamp are very common for all people studying or working in scientific fields.

• They are even more common in specific countries such as China, India, Korea and Middle Eastern countries.

While these checks are usually completed within a couple of weeks, a few have taken as long as 9 months and there is nothing UM can do to shorten the period of time it will take.

Please plan accordingly and let your supervisor know about this possibility.

1. Verify DS-2019 Information

Make sure that your name, date of birth, country of birth and citizenship as listed on your DS-2019 form match what is written in your passport.

If changes are needed on your DS-2019, contact International Student and Scholar Services at least 2 weeks before travel.

2. Contact Your U.S. Embassy

Students should contact the U.S. Embassy they plan to visit for detailed requirements.

3. Prepare Required Documents

• Active Form DS-2019 – must be signed for travel by an ISSS DSO within 6 months prior to the re-entry date.
• Proof of full-time enrollment – Official transcripts  and letter of enrollment from UM Registrar’s Office.
• Proof of current financial support – financial statements, affidavit of support from sponsor, and/or graduate assistantship or scholarship letter.
• Valid passport for a minimum of six months beyond the re-entry date to the U.S.
• Visa application – form, fees, and photographs (according to Embassy required format).

Applicants with dependents must also provide:

• All immigration documents for J-2 dependents.
• Additional funds are needed for each J-2 dependent, thus the amounts on financial documents will need to be higher.
• Proof of relationship to spouse or children (e.g. marriage and birth certificate).
• If dependents apply for a visa without the presence of the principal J-1 student, they need to bring copies of the student’s SEVIS documents.

4. Prior to Leaving the U.S.:

• Students must identify the visa application requirements for the Embassy or Consulate where they plan to apply for a visa renewal. Visit www.usembassy.gov for more information.
• Acquire all documents the Embassy or Consulate need to issue a visa.
• Make a visa appointment.
• Reserve a flight that allows sufficient time to obtain a visa. Certain individuals may be subject to security clearances, which can result in delays of 20 additional business days or more. Students should be aware of the negative effect a delay may have on completing courses when traveling in the middle of a semester.
• Inform an ISSS advisor of visa renewal plans a few weeks in advance. The advisor will verify student’s records and endorse Form DS-2019 for travel.
• Preparation and organization is important during a visa interview. Students must be mindful that the purpose of a student visa is to study. They must also show they have reasons and plans to return to the home country.

Third Country Nationals: Applying for a Visa Renewal at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate as a Third Country National

Not all Embassies accept third country visa applicants and the decision to accept applications vary throughout the year. Students must contact the Embassy prior to making travel plans and ensure their application is accepted.

• Canada and Mexico are popular locations for visa renewals and have various locations. Students may visit Nonimmigrants in the United States–Applying for Visas in Canada or Mexico for locations and information on how to make an appointment.
  
  Please note that citizens of countries designated as state sponsors of terrorism are ineligible to apply at an Embassy or Consulate at a U.S. border. The list of countries may be found at http://www.state.gov/j/ct/list/c14151.htm. Students who have violated their immigration status may not be eligible to apply for a renewal at U.S. border sites.
• Students who have applied for a visa renewal in a contiguous territory (Canada, Mexico and Caribbean Islands) and are awaiting a decision (visa has not been issued) may not re-enter the U.S. using Automatic Revalidation. Certain individuals will be subject to a security clearance and should expect delays of 20 business days or longer.
  
  If the visa application is denied, students cannot re-enter the United States until they obtain a new visa from the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their home country.

Security Checks

Security checks during application for a visa stamp are very common for all people studying or working in scientific fields.

• They are even more common in specific countries such as China, India, Korea and Middle Eastern countries.

While these checks are usually completed within a couple of weeks, a few have taken as long as 9 months and there is nothing UM can do to shorten the period of time it will take.

Please plan accordingly and let your supervisor know about this possibility.