Visa Instructions for International Students

Your student visa application must be supported with the Form I-20, or “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F1) Student Status—For Academic and Language Students,” which will be issued by your sponsoring school (i.e., The College of Wooster). This is an important document that you should keep safe, as you will need it throughout your F1 student visa application and to enter the United States.

Once you have received your I-20 from Wooster, you will use information from the form to pay the mandatory I-901 Sevis Fee. This fee must be paid before you can apply for a visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate. Once you have paid your I-901 SEVIS Fee, print the receipt as proof of payment and bring it with you to your visa appointment and when traveling to the United States.

To pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee, you will need to provide the following information:

• Your name, address, date of birth, and email address
• Your country of birth and country of citizenship
• The School Code (as listed on the Form I-20)
• Your SEVIS Identification Number (as listed on the Form I-20)

You are allowed to enter the United States 30 days before the start date of your program, which is listed on your I-20.

Once you have paid the I-901 Fee and printed the payment receipt, you can apply for an F (student) visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate in your country. To do this, complete the online nonimmigrant visa application (Form DS-160) and then print the application confirmation page, which you will bring with you to your visa interview. Be sure to also consult your country’s embassy or consulate for specific application instructions.

Schedule an appointment for your visa interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Wait times for interview appointments can vary based on location, season, and visa category, so be sure to apply for your visa early.

You will need to bring the following required documents with you to your visa interview:

• Passport—Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States.
• Printed Form DS-160 confirmation page
• Photo—If you fail to upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160, you must bring one printed photo in the format outlined in the photographic requirements.
• Printed Form I-20—This was issued to you by the College of Wooster.
• A consular officer may request additional documents, such as evidence of your academic preparation (transcripts, diplomas, standardized test scores, etc.); your intent to depart the United States after completing your course of study; and how you will pay all educational, living, and travel costs.

During your interview, a consular officer will ask you questions to determine whether you meet the U.S. legal requirements to receive a visa. Ink-free, digital fingerprint scans are also taken as part of the application process during this time.

NAFSA offers 10 helpful tips to keep in mind as you prepare for your visa interview. ZF Visa on YouTube has also posted numerous videos to help students through the various stages of the visa application process.

You may enter the United States no more than 30 days before your program of study at the College of Wooster begins. Once you have arrived in the United States, you will present your passport, visa, and Form I-20 to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials at the port-of-entry. Upon your admission to the U.S., the CBP official will provide you with an admission stamp or paper Form I-94.

Immediately contact The College of Wooster International Student Services Office when you have entered the United States, and be sure to check your Wooster email for important information and official communications.

International students are required to attend an extended orientation program at Wooster before classes begin. Those with U.S. citizenship who have been living overseas are also welcome to attend.

Once you have arrived to the United States and begun your course, Wooster’s International Student Services (ISS) Office will contact you directly with information about maintaining your F-1 Visa status. If you have any questions about these requirements, please reach out to international@wooster.edu.