{"id":6361,"date":"2012-08-27T09:35:20","date_gmt":"2012-08-27T14:35:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/?page_id=6361"},"modified":"2024-05-21T18:05:25","modified_gmt":"2024-05-21T18:05:25","slug":"preparing","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/international\/admitted\/preparing\/","title":{"rendered":"SEVIS, I-20, & Visa"},"content":{"rendered":"

What is SEVIS? <\/strong><\/p>\n

The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is a web-based system for maintaining information on international nonimmigrant students and exchange visitors in the United States. It tracks and monitors nonimmigrant students and exchange visitors. If accepted by an SEVP-certified school, foreign students may be admitted to the United States with the appropriate F, J, or M nonimmigrant status.<\/p>\n

What is the Form I-20? <\/strong><\/p>\n

After you have been admitted and decide to attend Augsburg, we will issue the SEVIS Certificate of Eligibility Form I-20 once we receive all required documents. The Form I-20 is a legal document that lists your program start date, 30 days before which you are allowed to enter the United States.\u00a0F-1 and M-1 student visas<\/a>\u00a0can be issued up to 120 days in advance of your course of study start date. Your type of student visa must match the type of Form I-20 you have (e.g., F-1 or M-1).<\/p>\n

What are the steps to apply for a student visa?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

(1) Obtain your Form I-20 from Augsburg<\/p>\n

We will issue your Form I-20 once we receive your completed Certificate of Finances<\/a>, Proof of funding as demonstrated by supporting financial documents (such as bank statements \u2013 current within three months; Government Support Letter, etc), and Copy of the first page your passport.<\/p>\n

Students transferring<\/strong> from a U.S. institution: You will need to have your SEVIS record transferred from your current institution to Augsburg. The SEVIS Transfer form<\/a> must be completed by you and your Designated School Official. You will usually need to present your Augsburg letter of admissions to the DSO when submitting your transfer request.<\/p>\n

Upon receipt of your Form I-20, please review document for accuracy. If any corrections are needed please email<\/a> us immediately.<\/p>\n

(2) Pay the SEVIS Fee<\/p>\n

Before you pay<\/a> the I-901 Student and\u00a0Exchange Visitor\u00a0Information System (SEVIS) Fee, you must receive the Form I-20 from Augsburg. You will need information from the Form I-20 to pay the fee. The\u00a0I-901 SEVIS Fee<\/a>\u00a0is mandatory and must be paid before you enter the United States.<\/p>\n

(3) Apply for your visa<\/p>\n

There are several steps to apply for a visa. The order of these steps and how you complete them may vary at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you apply. Please consult the instructions available on the embassy or consulate website<\/a> where you intend to apply.<\/p>\n