Accepted Students

Visa Procedure (for F-1 student Visa)

1. Obtain Form I-20

International students will need to apply for an F-1 student visa in order to study in the United States. In order to apply for the F-1 students visa students will need the document Form I-20 - Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status. The I-20 is issued by the university and students must complete the I-20 application and submit the application to International Services with the required documents.

I-20 Application

2. Review your Documents

Please review your I-20 Form or DS-2019 Form to ensure that all information is correct and complete using the guidelines. If information needs to be changed or added contact International Services by email at international.services@montclair.edu

3. Pay the SEVIS fee

Beginning September 1, 2004, a new United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rule went into effect. This rule requires F-1 and J-1 visa applicants to pay a one-time Federal SEVIS I-901 fee of $200 for F-1 students and $180 for J-1 students, to supplement the administration and maintenance costs of the Student and Exchange Information System (SEVIS). More information on how to pay for the SEVIS fee is available on the Federal SEVIS I-901 Fee handout.

4. Apply for Visa

When to apply

You will apply for a visa at the U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country. You should apply well in advance of the date you would like to arrive in the U.S. Your I-20 form or DS-2019 form indicates the date by which you are required to arrive in the U.S. On the I-20, it is the ‘report date’ under item 5. On the DS-2019, it is the ‘cover period from date’ under item 3. Keep in mind that if you are a new student coming to the U.S. for the first time, you can be admitted to the U.S. no more than 30 days before the reporting date on your I-20 or DS-2019.

Appointments are required for all nonimmigrant visas, and some U.S. embassies and consulates require that appointments be made at least six to eight weeks in advance. Visit the US Department of State website to locate the embassy or consulate near you.

What to bring with you to the interview

Check the embassy or consulate website for the application form, photos, visa fee. Additional documents to take with you:

• A valid Passport
• Montclair State University I-20 or DS-2019
• A completed Form DS-156, together with a Form DS-158. Some applicants might also be required to complete Form DS-157.

The form DS-156 must be the electronic “e-form application”

• One 2x2 photograph. Information on the type of photograph is available at the US Department of State, Nonimmigrant Visa Passport Requirements page
• A receipt to Show payment of the visa application fee

• Payment receipt of SEVIS Fee. See Federal SEVIS I-901 Fee handout.

Additional documents to bring to the interview

• Montclair State University Admission Letter
• Proof of financial support
• Test scores and academic records
• Applicants with dependents must also provide:
  • Proof of the student’s relationship to his/her spouse and/or children (e.g. marriage and/or birth certificates)
  • Dependent I-20 or DS-2019 issued by Montclair State University
  • Proof of additional funds to support their stay in the United States

Important: Some students might have several I-20s issued by different schools. You will have to decide which school you will be attending and present that particular school’s I-20 to the consular officer. Once the visa is issued, it will have the name of the University you will be attending. You are then required to attend that University at least for one semester. You cannot get a visa to attend one university, and then enter the U.S.  with another school’s I-20.