I-20 & F-1 VISA PROCESS

OBTAINING AN I-20 FORM AND APPLYING FOR AN F1 VISA

Most international students attend Georgia Southern University in F-1 student status, except for exchange students who apply for a J-1 exchange visitor’s visa.  In order to apply for an F-1 student visa, you must apply for and receive an I-20, pay an I-901 fee, and make a visa appointment at a United States consulate or embassy.  As these steps require time to complete, you should begin this process as soon as possible!

APPLYING FOR THE I-20

To qualify for the Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student, three things are required.  You should begin this process at the same time that you apply for admission.

You must be accepted to Georgia Southern University
For information on how to apply for admission, please visit our international admission’s website.  For admission related questions, please contact Ron Jones, Manager of International Admissions, at rjones@georgiasouthern.edu. 

You must submit a completed SEVIS Data Form
This document allows Georgia Southern to collect important information that will be used to prepare your I-20.   For the SEVIS Data Form, please click here.

You must submit appropriate financial documentation
To qualify for an I-20, you must document sufficient financial resources to cover at least one year’s educational and living expenses, estimated to be around $26,000.  For the SEVIS Financial Documentation Requirements, please click here.

If you are transferring from a university in the United States and are currently in F-1 visa status, you must also:

Complete the SEVIS transfer form
You will need to complete the top section of this form and give it to the international student advisor at your current university.  It is important this be done in a timely manner!. For the SEVIS Transfer Form, please click here.

PAYING the I-901 FEE

After your Form I-20 has been issued, you will need to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee.  You must pay this fee prior to your F-1 visa appointment and take your payment receipt (Form I-797) with you to your visa appointment.  For additional information, please click here.

APPLYING FOR an F-1 VISA

Consult the U.S. Department of State’s website for valuable information on what you will need for your visa appointment.  Among other things, remember to take your I-20, letter of acceptance, I-901 payment receipt, and financial documentation with you.  An F-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa, meaning that you will need to demonstrate that you intend to return to your home country after your studies are complete.

QUESTIONS?

Email us at tgrubbs@georgiasouthern.edu