Getting Your Visa

For more information, visit the Department of Homeland Security's website. 

1. Applying for a Visa to Enter the United States: 

Please visit the United States embassy or consulate’s website or contact the embassy or consulate directly for detailed information about the visa application fee and process. You will want to schedule an in-person appointment to apply for your F-1 student visa as soon as possible (but no earlier than 120 days before the date your I-20 or DS-2019 shows that you are expected to report to school). The following websites will help you prepare for your visa appointment: 

2. For Your Visa Application Appointment, You Will Need to bring: 

  • A passport valid for a minimum of 6 months into the future. 
  • A valid I-20 and acceptance letter 
  • SEVIS fee payment receipt 
  • Visa application fee payment receipt 
  • Affidavit of Support and proof of finances. 
  • Copies of your academic records 
  • TOEFL or IELTS score report (if applicable) 
  • Several photos (Contact your embassy or visit their website for photo standards) 

3. Entering the United States Once Your Visa is Approved 

As a new F-1 visa student, you cannot enter the United States more than 30 days prior to the start date on your I-20. 

Review Student Process Steps prior to your departure: 

10 Points to Remember When Applying for a Nonimmigrant Visa from the Association of International Educators (NAFSA)

1. Ties to Your Home Country and Residence Abroad Under 

U.S. law, people who apply for nonimmigrant visas, such as F-1 or J-1 student visas, are viewed as "intending immigrants" (who want to live permanently in the U.S.) until they can convince the consular officer that they are not. You must, therefore, be able to show that you have reasons for returning to your "residence abroad" (usually in your home country) that are stronger than reasons for remaining in the United States and that you intend to depart the United States at the conclusion of your studies. "Ties" to your home country are the things that connect you to your hometown, homeland, or current place of residence: job, family, owning a house or apartment, financial prospects that you own or will inherit, investments, etc. If you are a prospective student, the interviewing officer may ask about your specific plans or promise of future employment, family or other relationships, educational objectives, grades, long-range plans and career prospects in your home country. Each person's situation is different, of course, and there is no magic explanation or single document, certificate, or letter which can guarantee visa issuance. If you have applied for the U.S. Diversity (green card) Lottery, you may be asked if you intend to immigrate. If you applied for the Diversity Visa Lottery but do not intend to immigrate, be prepared to clarify that, for instance, by explaining that you applied for the lottery since it was available but not with a specific intent to immigrate. If you have close relatives who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, it may be harder for you to demonstrate that you are not an intending immigrant. For further details about this topic, you can visit the State Department's Foreign Affairs Manual at 9 FAM 402.5- 5(E), which explains the basics of what consular officers will be looking for in the interview process.

2. English 

The interview will generally be conducted in English and not in your native language. One suggestion is to practice English conversation with a native speaker before the interview, but do not prepare speeches! Expect to have an interactive conversation with the consular officer about your plans for studying in the United States and beyond, your goals, and your ties to your home country. If you are coming to the United States to study intensive English, be prepared to explain how English will be useful for you in your home country. For further details about this topic, the Department of State Foreign Affairs Manual at 9 FAM 402.5-5(F). 

3. Speak for Yourself 

The consular officer wants to interview you, not your family, and a more positive impression is created if you are prepared to speak on your own. Although generally parents or family members will not accompany an applicant into to the visa interview, if you are a minor and need your parents to be there in case there are questions (for example about funding/finances), they should check with the consulate about the consulate's waiting area and any special rules or procedures for non-applicant family members to accompany a visa applicant. 

4. Know the Program and How It Fits Your Career Plans 

If you are not able to explain the reasons why you will study in a particular program in the United States, you may not succeed in convincing the consular officer that you are indeed planning to study, rather than to work or stay in the United States. You should also be able to explain how studying in the United States relates to your career goals and employment prospects when you return home. If you will be a graduate student in the United States and have a research focus, be prepared to talk about your research plans. Consular officials may want a letter from your supervising professor or faculty member that explains your intended research goals.

5. Be Brief and Maintain a Positive Attitude 

Because of the large number of applications they receive, all consular officers are under considerable time pressure to conduct a quick interview. They must make a decision, for the most part, on the impressions they form during the first minute of the interview. What you say first and the first impression you create are critical to your success. Keep your answers to the officer's questions short and to the point, responding precisely to the consular officer's questions and statements. Do not have an argument with the officer. If you are denied a student visa, ask the officer for a list of documents he or she would suggest you bring to overcome the denial and try to get the reason you were denied in writing. For more information about responding to a visa denial, visit the U.S. Department of State's web page explaining visa denials.

6. Supporting Documentation (Know Your Specific Situation or History) 

It should be immediately clear to the consular officer what written documents you are presenting and what they mean. Lengthy written explanations cannot be quickly read or evaluated. Remember that you will have 2-3 minutes of interview time, if you are lucky. Supporting documentation will depend on your particular situation, so it is best to review the consulate's website. However, there are a few supporting documents which are common among all students such as financial documentation, admission letter(s), and scholarship letters. Students should be prepared to take all documentation proving their financial ability to stay in the United States such as scholarships, assistantships or other letters issued by the school, sponsor or other organization. If you will be a graduate student in the United States, consular officials may want a letter from your supervising professor or faculty member that explains your intended research goals. The financial information indicated on your Form I-20 or DS-2019 should match the evidence provided to the consular officer. 

7. Different Requirements for Different Countries 

Applicants from countries suffering economic problems or from countries where many students have remained in the United States long-term often have more difficulty getting visas. They are also more likely to be asked about job opportunities at home after their study in the United States. You should review your country's specific requirements on the U.S. consulate's website. Several U.S. consulates around the globe have created YouTube videos which explain the visa process at their specific posts. Always check your specific U.S. embassy or consulate to see if a new YouTube video is available. A select list of consular YouTube videos is located at the end of this resource. Also be sure to check the U.S. State Department's Visa Appointment and Processing Wait Times web page, to find average visa appointment and processing wait times at the consulate where you will be applying for your visa. 

8. Employment 

Your main purpose in coming to the United States should be to study, rather than for the chance to work before or after graduation. While many students work on- or off-campus during their studies, such employment is incidental (secondary/optional) to their main purpose of completing their U.S. education. You must be able to clearly explain your plan to return home at the end of your program. If your spouse or children are also applying for an accompanying F-2 visa, be aware that F-2 dependents cannot, under any circumstances, be employed in the United States. If asked, be prepared to address what your spouse intends to do with his or her time while in the United States. Volunteering in the community and attending school part-time are permitted activities for F-2 dependents.

9. Dependents Remaining at Home 

If your spouse and children are remaining behind in your country, be prepared to explain how they will support themselves in your absence. This can be especially difficult to explain if you are the primary source of income for your family. If the consular officer gains the impression that you intend to support your family with money you may earn during your studies in the United States, your student visa application will almost certainly be denied. If your family decides to join you at a later time, it may be helpful to have them apply at the same post where you applied for your visa, but that is not always required if your family is living in another district. 

Other Special Considerations

Tell the truth 

A ten-digit fingerprint scan is taken of applicants immediately preceding the visa interview, and applicants must attest to the following under penalty of perjury (See 9 FAM 403.3-6, Biometric Signature and Affirmation of DS-160 NIV application): "By submitting my fingerprint, I am certifying under penalty of perjury that I have read and understood the questions in my visa application and that all statements that appear in my visa application have been made by me and are true and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. Furthermore, I certify under penalty of perjury that I will tell the truth during my interview and that all statements made by me during my interview will be complete to the best of my ability."

Social media question on the visa application 

Be aware of the "social media" question on Form DS-160, the standard online application used by individuals to apply for a nonimmigrant visa. The item requires applicants to indicate the social media platforms that they have used during the five years preceding their visa application, and to provide any identifiers or handles they used on those platforms. DOS also added a similar item to the Form DS-260 immigrant visa application. See NAFSA's page on the DS-160 social media question for additional information. 

Administrative processing delays 

Some students may experience delays in obtaining a visa because of "administrative processing." This commonly occurs if your name is similar to another individual and the consulate needs to check with other government agencies about your status or background. It may also happen when your area of study is thought to be in a field of sensitive or critical technology, or your faculty adviser is working with sensitive research materials. Some consular officers may even require additional letters from program directors or academic advisers explaining the specific type of research the student will be involved in and what kind of access to sensitive technology the student will have. If you are unsure whether this applies to your situation, check with your specific U.S. embassy or consulate. For more information, visit the U.S. Department of State's Administrative Processing Information web page. 

Past visits to the United States 

You may be asked to explain past visits and stays in the United States and/or any prior visa statuses held by you or your family members. Also, students who formerly held an employment-based immigration status or had Optional Practical Training (OPT) or STEM OPT might also need to explain the reasons for additional study in the United States instead of working at home. If you stayed beyond your authorized stay in the United States or violated an immigration status in the past, be prepared to explain what happened and if available, provide supporting documentation regarding the circumstances. You should consider consulting an experienced immigration lawyer for guidance on whether the Overstay or Unlawful Presence provisions impact your eligibility to return to the United States. See NAFSA's page on Unlawful Presence.

Third country nationals 

If you are not a citizen or permanent resident of the country in which you currently live or the country where you plan to apply for a visa (i.e., you are a "third country national), you may also wish to explain your intent to return to that country upon completion of your studies in the United States. 

Arrests and convictions 

Documentation should accompany any arrests or convictions within the U.S. or abroad, including any arrests or convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Always check with an experienced immigration attorney if you have any current or past legal issues.

Maintaining Your F-1 Status

Under United States immigration law, it is your personal responsibility to maintain lawful F-1 status. Begin by reading the “Instruction to Students” on page two of your I-20. By following those instructions as well as the guidelines listed below, you should be able to maintain lawful F-1 student status with little difficulty. You must maintain lawful student status if you wish to enjoy the benefits associated with it, such as on-campus employment, practical training, and the ability to re-enter the United States when you travel. A violation of status may result in termination of your SEVIS record, which could subject you to immediate detention and/or deportation. 

For more information and guidance, visit the department of homeland security's website. 

Follow the guidelines below to maintain your F-1 Status. Contact the Global Office with questions. 

1. Keep an unexpired passport valid for at least 6 months into the future. 

Contact your country’s nearest consulate or embassy in Washington D.C. for instructions if you need to extend your passport while in the U.S. 

2. Maintain full-time face-to-face enrollment. 

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulations require that you register during the college’s published registration period. Failure to do this will result in violation of your F-1 status. You are expected to maintain full-time registration (minimum 12 credits during the Summer Global Program) with at least 9 credits being face-to-face courses. Check in with the Global Office as this guidance has changed because of the COVID pandemic, and more class credits are being allowed to be take online. 

3. Obtain PRIOR authorization from the Global Office BEFORE dropping below 12 credits, withdrawing from classes, or taking a leave of absence. 

There are very limited exceptions to the full-time requirement, so you must consult with the Global

Office before you drop below full-time status or you will be in violation of your visa status and your SEVIS record will be terminated. 

4. If you leave the United States without completing your program of study, complete your program early, or change to another nonimmigrant status, you must notify the Global Office so that we can update your SEVIS record.

5. Do not accept any off-campus employment without written permission from the Global Office, and if necessary, authorization from the Department of Homeland Security. 

Working without proper authorization is considered by the DHS as the most serious violation of its regulations. If you refer to your I94, you will see the statement, “Warning: a nonimmigrant who accepts unauthorized employment is subject to deportation.” Students terminated for unauthorized employment are not eligible for F-1 reinstatement. It is most important, therefore, that you consult with the Global Office before you accept an offer of employment or begin to work. We will advise you whether it is possible for you to work and assist you with the appropriate procedures. It is illegal to begin to work while waiting for authorization; you must have the appropriate authorization first. Students in F-1 status are allowed to work on-campus for the College for a maximum of 20 hours per week during the academic year (up to 40 hours during vacation periods). 

6. Obtain extensions, as needed, for permission to stay in the U.S. before your I-20 expires. 

If you have valid academic or health reasons for requiring more time to complete your program than that which is authorized on your I-20, you must request a program extension through the Global Office. Contact the Global Office as soon as you now that you will need an extension and at least 30 days before the completion date noted on your I-20 in order to have enough time to obtain any necessary documents. In most cases, an e-mail will be required from your

Academic Advisor explaining the academic reason for an extension. If the extension is needed for medical reasons, you must submit documentation from a medical professional. If you require an extension because you will be starting a new program at Tompkins Cortland, you must apply for a new I-20 to begin a new program within 60 days of the completion of the first program. Contact the Global Office for more information. 

7. Make normal academic progress toward your degree. 

Normal or satisfactory academic progress is defined as maintaining a 2.0 cumulative grade point average and a 67% course completion rate. More details on the academic policy can be found at on TC3's academic standards webpage. Failure to maintain normal academic progress may result in the termination of your SEVIS record.