Dickinson College Office of International Admissions

The Application Process
1. Obtain the necessary documentation

Official admission letter from Dickinson College
Valid passport
Form I-20*
Proof of SEVIS fee payment*
Financial documents
Photographs

* These will be mailed from Dickinson College along with your orientation information.

2. Schedule an appointment

Schedule a visa appointment with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
A list of U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide is available at: www.travel.state.gov/visa.
Keep in mind that while all U.S. embassies and consulates work from the same set of laws and regulations, each facility may adapt its own procedures.
Obtain the visa application form from the embassy or consulate or online at: www.travel.state.gov/visa.
Apply early… and expect to wait!

3. The visa interview

Bring all necessary documentation and photographs.
Be sure all necessary fees have been paid.
Demonstrate “ties to your home country.”
Answer all questions honestly.
Practice your English.
Speak for yourself.
Know your program and how it fits into your career plans.
Be brief!
Be prepared to discuss employment and your spouse or children (if applicable)

In case of visa denial, do not engage the consular officer in an argument. Instead, ask the officer the specific reason for the denial and try to get it in writing. This will be useful if you decide to apply for the visa again at a later date.

4. Travel to and arrival in the United States

On the flight to the United States, you will be given Form I-94 (which includes three sections: the instructions, the arrival-record card and the departure card) to complete.

At the port of entry, you will present to the immigration
officer the following:

a. valid passport with valid visa
                        b. I-20 or DS-2019
                        c. completed I-94 (all three sections)
                       d. any other requested information such as financial                        documents or admission letter.

The immigration officer will return:

a. valid passport with valid visa and a USCIS
                        (formerly BCIS or INS) entry stamp
                        b. I-94 departure record card with an entry stamp
                        (usually stapled in the passport)
                        c. endorsed I-20 or DS-2019 to you with the
                        admission number from the I-94 and entry stamp
                        d. any other requested information.

Students at Muslim dinner.

The SEVIS Fee
All nonimmigrant exchange visitors applying for F, M, or J visas pay a fee, which is used by the U.S. government to maintain the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) to
support compliance activities and provide information and
assistance to students and schools.

Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the fee?
For F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors, the SEVIS fee is $100.

How is the fee paid?
Dickinson College will pay* the fee for students and exchange visitors whom it sponsors at the time the initial I-20 or DS-2019 is generated.

* Dickinson College will NOT pay the fee for students who have violated their F-1 status and require a new I-20.

When must the fee be paid?
The fee must be paid early enough to ensure that the payment can be deposited and recorded in SEVIS before the scheduled visa interview.

How will the payment be verified?
The payment will be recorded in the SEVIS system. You should bring the paper receipt (I-797) or the Internet-generated receipt to the visa interview. The interviewing consular officer will confirm that the fee has been paid by accessing the SEVIS system. Dickinson College will pay the fee at the time that Form I-20 or DS-2019 is generated. The Internet-generated receipt will be sent to you with your Form I-20 or Form DS-2019.

For more information on the SEVIS fee, visit:
www.ice.gov/sevis/factsheets.htm.