International students must have a valid and unexpired visa at the time that you enter the U.S. It is okay if your visa expires while you are in the U.S, but it must be valid any time you leave and re-enter the country. Canadian citizens are exempt from this requirement, but they must still pay the SEVIS I-901 fee.
Caution: Do NOT enter the U.S. in visitor status (B1/B2 or WB/WT-Visa Waiver) Individuals with this visa status are not eligible to register for classes as an international student.
Visas can only be obtained outside of the U.S. at a U.S. embassy or consulate. If your visa has expired and you are planning on traveling outside the U.S., it is necessary to apply for a new visa before you return.
Applying for a Visa
New Students
It can take a long time to obtain an F-1 student visa, so we recommend that you start the visa process as soon as possible, but no more than 1 year in advance.
1. Get your I-20/Decide among multiple schools
Once you are admitted to UMD, you can request an I-20. If you have been admitted to more than one school, you may have more than one I-20. You should NOT apply for a visa until you are certain which school you would like to attend. You MUST attend the school that is indicated on the I-20 that you use for your visa application.
Look over the I-20 you receive from the University of Minnesota Duluth to make sure the information is correct. If it is, print the I-20 and sign and date it with a pen.
2. Pay the SEVIS fee
Once you decide to come to UMD and you have your I-20, you need to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee. For more information, you can watch the I-901 SEVIS Fee Payment Tutorial. Remember to print a copy of the receipt as proof that you paid the fee for your visa interview and when you enter the U.S.
3. Choose a U.S. consulate/embassy and complete the visa application (DS-160)
Find your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in your country of nationality or residence and review their website for detailed instructions. Complete the DS-160 Nonimmigrant Visa Application and schedule your interview appointment. Your local embassy or consulate will have specific instructions for scheduling an appointment. You should schedule your appointment as soon as possible after receiving your I-20. Approximate visa wait times at consular locations can be found at the Department of State website.
Please refer to the DS-160 FAQs website or contact the consulate or embassy with questions.
We recommend that you keep a copy of your submitted DS-160 so you know exactly what you submitted.
If you do not yet have housing reserved in the U.S. and you are asked to provide an address in the U.S. where you will stay, you can use the University address: 1049 University Dr., Duluth, MN 55812.
4. Prepare your documents for your visa interview
Document requirements may vary by consulate so we recommend you also review the consulate website and other instructions for additional documents that may be needed.
Generally we would recommend that you have the following documents:
- I-20 issued by UMD
- SEVIS I-901 fee receipt
- Valid passport
- DS-160 confirmation page
- UMD admissions letter
- Recent financial documents to support the amounts listed on your I-20 (e.g. bank statements, scholarship letters, assistantship letters, loan approval letters, etc.)
- Any other documents listed on the consulate's website
5. Prepare for your visa interview
Be able to give an honest, not too rehearsed explanation of:
- Your decision to study in the U.S.
- Your decision to study at UMD
- How will achieving this educational objective (e.g. getting your degree, etc.) fit into your life plans and goals?
- How do you plan to pay for the costs related to your education and living expenses?
It may be helpful to connect with an advisor at an EducationUSA office near you for information and tips related to your visa interview.
Current Students
If you are traveling internationally and your visa is expired, you will most likely need to apply for a new visa before entering the U.S. again.
1. Choose a U.S. consulate/embassy and complete the visa application (DS-160)
Find your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in your country of nationality or residence and review their website for detailed instructions. Complete the DS-160 Nonimmigrant Visa Application and schedule your interview appointment. Your local embassy or consulate will have specific instructions for scheduling an appointment. You should schedule your appointment as soon as possible after receiving your I-20. Approximate visa wait times at consular locations can be found at the Department of State website.
Please refer to the DS-160 FAQs website or contact the consulate or embassy with questions.
We recommend that you keep a copy of your submitted DS-160 so you know exactly what you submitted.
2. Prepare your documents for your visa interview
Document requirements may vary by consulate so we recommend you also review the consulate website and other instructions for additional documents that may be needed.
Generally we would recommend that you have the following documents:
- I-20 issued by UMD
- SEVIS I-901 fee receipt
- Valid passport
- DS-160 confirmation page
- UMD admissions letter and current transcript
- Recent financial documents to support the amounts listed on your I-20 (e.g. bank statements, scholarship letters, assistantship letters, loan approval letters, etc.)
- Any other documents listed on the consulate's website
3. Prepare for your visa interview
10 Points to Remember When Applying for a Nonimmigrant Visa
Check the Status of Your Visa Application
SEVIS I-901 Fee
If you have not been outside the U.S. for more than 5 months, you likely do no need to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee again.
Students who have been out of the U.S. for more than 5 months will need to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee again after they receive their new I-20 and SEVIS ID Number. For more information, you can watch the I-901 SEVIS Fee Payment Tutorial. Remember to print a copy of the receipt as proof that you paid the fee for your visa interview and when you enter the U.S.
Dependents
Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 are eligible to accompany you to the U.S. with a dependent visa (F-2 or J-2). You must request a dependent I-20 or DS-2019 document for each of your eligible dependents. For more information, contact the office responsible for your visa document. Be aware that F-2 visa holders may not work in the US, nor may they be a full-time student at a University or other post-secondary institution in the US.
F-2s must submit their own DS-160 application. For the visa interview they should print the I-20 issued by UMD, a copy of the F-1 SEVIS I-901 fee receipt, valid passport (valid 6+ months beyond the date of travel to the U.S.), DS-160 confirmation page, F-1's UMD admissions letter, copies of F-1 immigration documents, recent financial documents to support amounts listed on the I-20, and any other documents listed on the consulate's website.