Applying for your visa
Once you have been admitted to PC, you will receive an I-20 form (for degree students on an F-1 student visa) or an DS-2019 Form (for exchange students on a J-1 exchange visitor visa). It is important that you read the form carefully and that you understand your responsibilities as an international student in the U.S. when you sign the form. Please make sure your name is spelled the same way on the I-20 or DS-2019 form as it is in your passport and that your birth date is correct. If it is incorrect, contact the Director of International Programs immediately.
For more information about this fee and payment options available please visit the Department of Homeland Security’s webpage athttp://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/.
Please check with the nearest American Embassy or Consulate regarding the procedure to obtain a U.S. student visa in your country; in some instances, you will need to make an appointment several weeks in advance or you may have to apply by mail. For further assistance with the application process and other information on studying in the U.S., you may also wish to contact an educational adviser at the advising center in your country (the U.S. Information Agency web site has a listing of the 450 advising centers worldwide at http://www.educationusa.info/centers.php.)
You will need to present several documents to the visa officer at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate to obtain your student visa, including the items list below.
After you receive the I-20 or DS-2019, you can begin making arrangements to obtain a student visa. Effective September 1, 2004, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security requires the collection of a one-time fee of $200 from certain international students and visiting scholars. The fee is required to cover operational costs of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and is referred to as the I-901 fee.
Checklist of documents needed to apply for an F-1 (Student) visa:
- The complete I-20 form from PC. Please make sure that you have signed the form; do not separate the pages)
- Your official acceptance letter from PC.
- Proof of your intention to return to your country after completing your degree program (for example, you have close family ties in your country or you plan to return to work in your family business or continue your professional career, etc.).
- Proof that you have sufficient financial resources to support your studies in the U.S., including the documents you submitted to PC with your application (Financial Statement for International Students, statements from your or your sponsor’s bank, etc.)
- Visa fee – separate from the SEVIS fee. Check with the U.S. embassy or consulate in your area to find out the amount of this fee.
- Receipt showing payment of SEVIS fee. The receipt will be mailed to you, so use your current mailing address when you register in the system.
- Passport.
Checklist of documents needed to apply for a J-1 (Exchange Visitor) visa:
- The complete DS-2019 form. As PC is does not currently issue the DS-2019, you will receive this document from your sponsoring agency. Please complete as necessary and keep pages together.
- Documentation showing that you are an “exchange visitor”, such as a letter from your sponsoring agency, PC, etc.
- Visa fee - separate from the SEVIS fee. Check with the U.S. embassy or consulate in your area to find out the amount of this fee.
- Receipt showing payment of SEVIS fee. The receipt will be mailed to you, so use your current mailing address when you register in the system.
- Passport.
Students from Canada:
Canadian citizens do not need to obtain a visa; you must present the I-20 or the DS-2019 form, your proof of financial support and receipt showing payment of the SEVIS fee upon your entry into the U.S. Please make sure that you provide these documents to the immigration officer at the border in order to enter the U.S. as a student; DO NOT enter the U.S. on a visitor (tourist) visa.