You're Admitted! What's Next?

F-1 Student Visa

1. Follow the U.S. Embassy/Consulate’s instructions to schedule an interview for a student visa application.

   • A list of Consulates and Embassies can be found at USEmbassy.gov. Be sure that it is known that you are applying for a student visa as student visa applications are given priority for scheduling. The consulate can issue an F-1 visa up to one year before the start date on the I-20.
   • If you need a visa appointment letter to schedule an emergency visa appointment, you can download the letter.

2. Complete the DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application 

3. Pay the visa application fee by following instructions on your local U.S. Embassy/Consulate’s site

4. Prepare and bring the following items to your visa interview

   • Passport valid for at least six months into the future
   • Form I-20
   • Completed visa application
   • Receipts for payment of the SEVIS and Visa Application fees
   • Financial evidence to show there are sufficient funds to cover your tuition and living expenses during the period you intend to study
   • Be prepared to explain the program you will be a part of at The University of Mississippi, your reasons for wanting to participate and any information that helps to establish your nonimmigrant intent since the F-1 visa is a nonimmigrant status.
   • Any additional information listed on the consulate’s website

5. Receive F-1 Visa Stamp from U.S. Embassy/Consulate

Note: Students from Canada and Bermuda are exempt from the visa requirement but must pay the SEVIS fee and present the I-20 when entering the U.S.

J-1 Student Visa

1. Follow the U.S. Embassy/Consulate’s instructions to schedule an interview for a visa application.

   • A list of Consulates and Embassies can be found at USEmbassy.gov. If you are a student, be sure that it is known that you are applying for a student visa, as these applications are given priority for scheduling. Sometimes it is possible to request an expedited appointment because of the semester dates after first scheduling a regular appointment. Consulates can differ by city/country in how appointments are scheduled.
   • If you need a visa appointment letter to schedule an emergency visa appointment, you can download the letter.

2. Complete the DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application 

3. Pay the visa application fee by following instructions on your local U.S. Embassy/Consulate’s site.

4. Prepare and bring the following items to your visa interview

   • Passport valid for at least six months into the future
   • Form DS-2019
   • Receipts for payment of the SEVIS and Visa Application fees
   • Financial evidence to show there are sufficient funds to cover your tuition and living expenses during the period you intend to study
   • Be prepared to explain the program in which you will participate at The University of Mississippi, your reasons for wanting to participate and any information that helps to establish your nonimmigrant intent since the J-1 visa is for nonimmigrant status.
   • Any additional information listed on the consulate’s website

5. Receive J-1 Visa Stamp from U.S. Embassy/Consulate

Note: Students from Canada and Bermuda are exempt from the visa requirement but must pay the SEVIS fee and present the DS-2019 when entering the U.S.

For more information on immigration and visa, please see Immigration for International Students or contact isss@olemiss.edu.

Immigration Services for Students and Scholars issues all Forms I-20 and Forms DS-2019 for students intending to hold F-1 or J-1 visa status at the start of their studies at the University of Mississippi.

• Form I-20 will be issued to F1 Visa Status students
• Form DS-2019 will be issued to J1 Visa Status students 

Form I-20 (or DS-2019) will be issued to you AFTER you

• Apply to the University of Mississippi
• Get accepted and become admitted into the University
• Provide evidence of fiscal solvency (which may include university scholarships or external funding support) 
  • Your evidence must be deemed to meet stated requirements!

Email isss@olemiss.edu for assistance.

• The Department of Homeland Security U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services requires that students verify their ability to meet the costs of the first year of study before the University of Mississippi can issue SEVIS Form I-20 (for F-1 students) or SEVIS Form DS-2019 (for J-1 students).
• Immigration Services for Students and Scholars requires therefore international students intending to hold F-1 or J-1 visa status as they begin their academic program at the University of Mississippi to complete the Affidavit of Financial Support Form.
• Please follow the instructions on the form closely.

Download the Form

Additional notes

• Students must have a plan to support themselves during their entire length of study.
• With the exception of graduate level Graduate Assistantships/Instructorships, on-campus student employment is not guaranteed, should not be seen as a significant means of support while at the University, and cannot be included as a basis of financial support on the Affidavit of Financial Support Form.
• The issuance of an F-1 or J-1 visa, and thus admission to the USA, is based on the student having sufficient financial funds available to cover the total cost of study, including tuition, fees, living expenses (i.e., housing and food).
• Students with balance due on their university bursar account will not be permitted to continue their studies in a subsequent semester.
• Please do not expect (additional) financial assistance from the University after you have arrived on campus. You will be notified of scholarship or funding support in writing before you leave your home country.

Passport Name

This is not a required field and is typically blank.

Admission Number

This field is not used and schools do not even have access to enter data here. It is correct for it to be blank.

Major

The response to this field is not one that schools type. Schools select from a standard list of codes called the Classification of Instructional Programs(CIP) which may or may not match the exact wording of what the school calls the program. The university matched its programs to the appropriate choice on the CIP list and the ISSS office must use what the university has chosen.