Newly Admitted Students

The Visa Process

Step One

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) charges a fee of $200 for F1 students to use the Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Once you have received your I–20, you will need to pay the SEVIS fee. That can be done via the internet and a receipt of payment can be printed out. You are required to show that receipt at the time of your visa appointment. It can be paid by you or by a third party, inside or outside the US.

To Pay By Mail

Obtain a Form I-901 “Fee Remittance for Certain F, J, and M Non-immigrants.”
Download the form from www.FMJfee.com
Complete the Form I–901. Be sure to write your name exactly as it appears on your I–20 form.
Prepare a check, international money order or foreign draft (drawn on US banks only) in the amount of $200 USD, made payable to “The Department of Homeland Security”
Mail the completed I–901 and payment to the address listed on Form I–901).
A Form I–797 receipt notice should be mailed within 3 days of processing the fee. Be sure to make copies of your receipt, and keep it with your other important immigration documents.

To Pay Online

Find the Form I–901 at www.FMJfee.com.
Complete the form online and supply the necessary Visa, MasterCard or American Express information. *Be sure to write your name exactly as it appears on your I–20 form.
Print a copy of the online receipt.
Be sure to make copies of your receipt, and keep it with your other important immigration documents payment at the time of your visa appointment.

Step Two

Contact your American Embassy or Consulate for an appointment. To find the embassy closest to you go to http://usembassy.state.gov/ Check your embassies website for specific application procedures.

Please note: West Chester University does not have any influence over the decision of the consular officials. Therefore, it is our policy not to write, call, or fax the embassy on your behalf. Please present your acceptance letter from West Chester University at the time of your appointment.

Step Three

You will need to have the following documents for your visa appointment:

West Chester University acceptance letter
I–20 (make sure you sign it)
Receipt of your SEVIS fee payment
Proof of financial support – You submitted documentation to us in order for us to prepare your I–20. Make sure you show proof of support which matches or exceeds the amounts stated on your I–20. Take any required bank statements and letter of support.
Visa application and fee – Application and current fees can be found on the embassy website. You should complete and print the application online prior to your appointment. See embassy website for specific details.
Valid passport
Proof of English Skills
Proof of ties to your country – US law requires that as an F1 student your purpose for travel to the United States is solely for academic purposes and is temporary. It is necessary to show ties to your country and verify that your intent is to return home after you complete your studies.

Step Four

Let our international office know whether you were approved or denied for a visa. If you were approved, you can begin to make travel plans to arrive in the United States. You may arrive no sooner than 30 days prior to the start date on your I–20.

What To Do If Your Visa Is Denied

A visa denial is upsetting. You need to fully understand why your visa was denied. To better understand denial reasons, we recommend you read the information from the U.S. Bureau of Counselor Affairs regarding visa denials found at: http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/denials/denials_1361.html

If you would like to defer your admission to West Chester University to another semester, please notify both the International Office and the Undergraduate or Graduate Admission Office in writing as soon as possible. It is important to note that the approval to defer to another semester is based on the availability of space in the program.