We are excited that you are considering studying with Lehman College. If you wish to pursue F-1 or J-1 visa status while attending Lehman College, you must first be admitted to an eligible program of study. You can learn more about our programs and the admission processes for each below:
❏ Undergraduate Certificate or Degree Program
❏ Graduate Certificate or Degree Program
Please note that any fully on-line degree programs are not F-1/J-1 eligible.
Located outside of the U.S.
Applying for your I-20 to establish F-1 status
You will be able to apply for your Form I-20 “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status” now that you have been admitted to an eligible program.
To apply for your Form I-20, you will need to complete the I-20 Application.
❏ Make sure the application is complete. Submit it and all supporting documents via Liquid Files.
❏ In preparing your financial documentation, please ensure that all statements have been issued within the last 6 months from the date of application.
❏ Did you know that you can have multiple financial sponsors? If you will have multiple sponsors, each sponsor must provide: financial documentation in the amount that they will cover, a current employment letter or most recent tax return, and a completed Affidavit of Support form.
❏ Once uploaded, your Designated School Official (DSO) will review your application within 5 business days and contact you if additional documentation is needed.
❏ Once your I-20 application is remarked as complete, you will receive your Form I-20 within the next 5 business days.
Once you receive your Form I-20, you will be able to pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee and proceed to apply for your F-1 visa at your local U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Applying for your I-20 to establish F-1 status
To apply for your DS-2019, you will need to complete the J-1 Exchange Visitor DS-2019 Request Form.
❏ Make sure the application is complete. Submit it and all supporting documents via Liquid Files.
❏ In preparing your financial documentation, please ensure that all statements have been issued within the last 6 months from the date of request.
❏ If you are joining Lehman College from one of our Exchange Partner Universities, you will qualify for the “Student Non-Degree" category and may be fully supported by personal or family funds.
❏ If you are not joining Lehman College from one of our Exchange Partner Universities and wish to pursue J-1 visa status, you may qualify for the “Student” category provided you can demonstrate substantial financial support from the U.S. government, your home government, or an international organization. Most degree-seeking students pursue the F-1 visa.
❏ Once uploaded, your Responsible Officer (RO) or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) will review your request form within 5 business days and contact you if additional documentation is needed.
❏ Once your DS-2019 request form is remarked as complete, you will receive your DS-2019 within the next 5 business days.
Once you receive your DS-2019, you will be able to pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee and proceed to apply for your F-1 visa at your local U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Located inside the U.S.
Applying to transfer your I-20 to maintain F-1 status
Now that you have been admitted to an eligible program, you will be able to initiate the transfer of your SEVIS record from your current SEVP-approved institution to Lehman College. You will need to work with the Designated School Official (DSO) at your current institution to discuss your eligibility for I-20 transfer and the transfer release timing. Plan to present the DSO with your acceptance communication from Lehman College and your prepared SEVIS Transfer Release Form. Inform both the DSO at your current institution and your new Lehman College DSO if you plan to travel outside of the U.S in between programs.
To receive your Form I-20 “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status” in Transfer Pending Status from Lehman College, you will need to complete the I-20 Application and submit your fully executed SEVIS Transfer Release Form.
❏ Make sure the application is complete. Submit it and all supporting documents via Liquid Files.
❏ In preparing your financial documentation, please ensure that all statements have been issued within the last 6 months from the date of application.
❏ Did you know that you can have multiple financial sponsors? If you will have multiple sponsors, each sponsor must provide: financial documentation in the amount that they will cover, a current employment letter or most recent tax return, and a completed Affidavit of Support form.
❏ Once uploaded, your Designated School Official (DSO) will review your application within 5 business days and contact you if additional documentation is needed.
❏ Once uploaded, your Responsible Officer (RO) or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) will review your request form within 5 business days and contact you if additional documentation is needed.
❏ Once your I-20 application is remarked as complete, you will receive your Form I-20 from Lehman College within 5 business days following the Transfer Release Date.
Are you engaged in Optional Practical Training (OPT)?
If you are a student currently engaged in OPT, you must resume classes at your transfer-in school (Lehman College) within 5 months of the transfer release date set by the school that recommended OPT or the date the OPT authorization ends, whichever is earlier.
Applying for your I-20 to Change your Status
If you are considering applying for a Change of Status in the U.S. now that you have been admitted to an eligible program of study at Lehman College, we recommend you consult with an experienced immigration lawyer first and retain their services if you decide to file the application with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). International Student and Scholar Services at Lehman College will not be able to advise you on this process. If you are eligible to apply for a Change of Status to F-1, you may apply for your Form I-20 “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status.”
To apply for your Form I-20, you will need to complete the I-20 Application.
❏ Make sure the application is complete. Submit it and all supporting documents via Liquid Files.
❏ In preparing your financial documentation, please ensure that all statements have been issued within the last 6 months from the date of application.
❏ Did you know that you can have multiple financial sponsors? If you will have multiple sponsors, each sponsor must provide: financial documentation in the amount that they will cover, a current employment letter or most recent tax return, and a completed Affidavit of Support form.
❏ Once uploaded, your Designated School Official (DSO) will review your application within 5 business days and contact you if additional documentation is needed.
❏ Once your I-20 application is remarked as complete, you will receive your Form I-20 within the next 5 business days.
Once you receive your Form I-20, you will be able to pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee and proceed with other filing requirements. Unless your current visa status allows you to study, you will not be able to begin studying until your Change of Status application to F-1 has been approved by USCIS.
Applying for your DS-2019
If you are an eligible scholars who has received an official invitation letter from a Lehman College faculty member, you may qualify to pursue J-1 visa status and initiate an application for a DS-2019 “Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status (J-Nonimmigrant).”
To apply for your DS-2019, you will need to complete the J-1 Exchange Visitor DS-2019 Request Form and the Foreign Influence Due Diligence Form.
❏ Make sure the application and form are complete. Submit them and all supporting documents via Liquid Files.
❏ In preparing your financial documentation, please ensure that all statements have been issued within the last 6 months from the date of request.
❏ To demonstrate your financial eligibility, you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria as per 22 CFR 62.23(c)(1)-(5):
❏ You are financed directly or indirectly by:
❏ The United States Government;
❏ The government of the student's home country; or
❏ An international organization of which the United States is a member by treaty or statute;
❏ The program is carried out pursuant to an agreement between the United States Government and a foreign government;
❏ The program is carried out pursuant to written agreement between:
❏ American and foreign academic institutions;
❏ An American academic institution and a foreign government; or
❏ A state or local government in the United States and a foreign government;
❏ You are supported substantially (60% or more) by funding from any source other than personal or family funds
❏ Once uploaded, your Responsible Officer (RO) or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) will review your request form within 5 business days and contact you if additional documentation is needed.
❏ Once your DS-2019 request file is remarked as complete and eligible, you will receive your DS-2019 within the next 5 business days.
Once you receive your DS-2019, you will be able to pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee and proceed to apply for your J-1 visa at your local U.S. Embassy or Consulate.