Form I-20 Certificate of Eligibility, is the form that you will use to apply for your student visa, enter the United States and provide continued proof of your attendance at Marymount College. Because it is such an important document, we want to give you some information about the form itself as well as the next steps in the admission process. In addition, as you have probably heard, the United States government has changed some of the procedures and regulations pertaining to international students. Even if you have friends or family who are currently studying in the U.S.—or who have done so in the past—please take the time to read this information. We hope it will make the next steps easier for you. Also enclosed is a copy of the U.S. Department of State’s brochure Obtaining a U.S. Visa: A step-by-step outline of today’s U.S. visa application procedures. As always, if you have any questions about this information, or any other aspect of the admission and enrollment process at Marymount College, please contact us. We look forward to seeing you soon.
Form I-20A-B Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20)
As its name indicates, this form certifies that you are eligible to attend the school that issued you the form and that the name listed on it is yours. It indicates to you, the consular officers and customs officials which school you can attend, your intended program of study, the duration of your program and the funding required. You will use this form, in conjunction with your passport, to apply for your student visa and enter the United States. Once you are enrolled, you will use it for travel and re-entry to the U.S. and to provide proof of your eligibility to attend the school on the form, as needed, during your stay in the U.S. Do NOT lose this form. Note: If any of the information on this form is incorrect, or if it changes before you will enroll at Marymount College, you must contact the Admission Office immediately. This information must be accurate at all times. Please verify the information provided on this form, and read page 2 of the I-20 carefully. You should then sign, print your name and write the date on the bottom of page 1.
Applying for the student (F-1) visa
Since you have now received your Form I-20, you should contact the United States consulate or embassy in your area immediately to apply for your student visa. You may apply for your visa at any time once you have the Form I-20. Your visa will be issued no earlier than 90 days before the start of school, as indicated on your I-20. Applying early will allow consular officials to complete any special clearances or other processes that may be required. Procedures for applying for the student visa vary in each country, so you need to check the U.S. consulate or embassy web site for your region and/or call or visit to find out the exact procedures to follow. U.S. regulations now require an appointment to make a visa application, so you should make that appointment as soon as possible. The main change in visa processing is the length of time it takes to get a student visa. It is now generally taking longer for visa applications to be processed, so please act promptly. There are some basic requirements for applying for a student visa: a valid SEVIS-generated Form I-20 from the school you wish to attend; a current passport valid for at least six (6) months after the proposed date of entry to the US; a two-inch-by-two inch (2”x2”) photo in the proper format; a Non-Immigrant Visa Application form (Form DS-156); a Contact Information and Work History for Non-Immigrant Visa Applicant form (Form DS-158); an MRV fee receipt showing proof of visa application/issuance fee payment; and a SEVIS I-901 fee receipt. Some applicants may have to provide the Supplemental Non-Immigrant Visa Application (Form DS-157). You may download the visa application forms from the Department of State (http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/forms/forms_1342.html), or pick them up at the U.S. consulate or embassy. You may also need to present: transcripts or diplomas from your previous schools; a copy of your letter of admission to the College; evidence of the funding you have available to support your studies (such as current bank statements, parents’ employment documents, and/or information about your family’s land, business or property ownership); and evidence of legitimate ties to your home country to ensure your return following completion of your studies in the U.S. At the visa interview, it is critical to assure the consular officer that you will return to your home country following your studies. In addition, remember to speak clearly and concisely about your educational plans. You should be prepared to explain that you are coming to Marymount College for your lower division (first two years) or general education coursework and that you will transfer to a university for the last two years of studies in your major. It is always important to be honest and clear with the consular officer. Note: If you have received a Form I-20 from another school, it is CRITICAL that you choose the school you will attend and use only that school’s Form I-20 to apply for your student visa. The other school’s Form I-20 will become invalid once you apply for a student visa, so you will not be able to use it, even if you change your mind. If your visa is denied, ask the consular officer for the reason for the denial in writing. You should then contact the Marymount College Admission Office as soon as possible. Be prepared to fax a copy of the denial letter to the Admission Office at 1-310-265-0962. We will advise you on how to proceed. Please remember that Marymount College cannot guarantee that a student will be granted a visa.
The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS),</h3> By now, you have probably heard about the new electronic system the United States government is using for international students. This system was created in large part to modernize a very cumbersome paper-based system. Because it is an electronic system, it should ease some of the processes and procedures that have caused some delays in the past and eliminate duplication and fraud. Your Form I-20 has been generated by SEVIS, and you now have a SEVIS Identification number, which is printed above the bar code on your Form I-20. Once you choose the school you will attend and apply for your student visa using that school’s Form I-20, all other Forms I-20 issued from SEVIS will be invalid. Therefore, it is very important that you be sure of your decision, because it will be difficult to change your mind. When you apply for your student visa, the consular officer will check SEVIS to be sure the information on your Form I-20 is properly recorded in the system as part of the visa decision. In addition, when you arrive at the port of entry into the United States, the customs official will again check SEVIS, either by hand or via the bar code, on your Form I-20. Remember, the Form I-20 you use to enter the U.S. must match the student visa in your passport. Once your visa has been approved, a one-page stamp will be placed in your passport. This visa stamp should indicate a visa type of “F-1” and the dates for which the visa is valid. The visa stamp is used to indicate to a U.S. customs official that you have been permitted to enter the U.S. between those dates. The visa does NOT indicate how long you may stay in the US. Your Form I-20 will indicate such information. Another note: If you have another type of visa to enter the U.S., you may wish to consider acquiring a student visa. If you are currently in the U.S., you may or may not be allowed to change your status. In addition, you may not be allowed to attend school depending on your visa type (i.e. a tourist visa). Be sure to check with the Admission Office to see if you should apply for a student visa.
ARRIVAL
Once your student visa has been approved, you may enter the United States to attend the school you have been authorized to attend, as noted on your Form I-20 and your student visa. You may enter the U.S. only up to 30 days before the school’s start date, as indicated on your I-20. Be sure to hand-carry your passport and Form I-20. During the departure from your country or during your flight, you will receive a Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record) and Customs Declaration Form that you should complete before landing in the U.S. When you arrive at the airport, you will go through immigration, where your passport, visa, Form I-20 and Form I-94 will be checked and stamped with your visa status and length of stay. Be sure to tell the officer that you will be a student. Because you will be entering the U.S. on a student visa, the officer should indicate “F-1” visa status and “D/S” (duration of status) for the length of your stay. If the officer indicates otherwise, you should inquire. Do not lose the Form I-94, as it serves as proof that you legally entered the United States.
US VISIT
On January 5, 2004, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security implemented new entry procedures known as US-VISIT. US-VISIT requires that all visitors – regardless of race, national origin or religion – entering the United States with a visa have their two index fingers scanned and a digital photograph taken to verify their identity at the port of entry. Because all foreign students have a student visa, they are subject to these new requirements. This new procedure should not add significant time to the entry process. Please note that some individuals may be asked to provide additional information under the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System (NSEERS).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Please contact the Admission Office if you have any questions about this process. Tel: 1-310-377-5501 ext. 311 Fax: 1-310-265-0962 Email: admission@marymountpv.edu
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
“How Do I Become an Academic Student in the United States?” http://uscis.gov/graphics/howdoi/academic.htm
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
SEVIS/SEVP; Student and Fee information http://www.ice.gov/graphics/sevis/index.htm http://www.ice.gov/graphics/sevis/students/index.htm http://www.ice.gov/graphics/sevis/i901/index.htm
U.S. Department of State
Student information: http://educationusa.state.gov/ http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov/studying.html
General visa information: http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov
Student visa information: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1268.html
Visa forms: http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/forms/forms_1342.html
U.S. Embassies: http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/embassies/embassies_1214.html
