Applying for a Visa
Visit your local U.S. Embassy or Consulate website. This tool can help you locate your nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Follow their instructions to apply. Generally, you will need to submit completed Form DS-160 and include the following associated support documents:
- Valid Passport
- Photo
- I-20 or DS-2019 *sign and date your document in ink*
- I-901 SEVIS fee payment receipt and any separate visa application fee payment receipts
- Proof and evidence of your financial support as stated on your I-20 or DS-2019
- Lehman College acceptance email
- Any other documents listed on the specific U.S. embassy/consulate website
If you have any questions about the visa application process and the documents required for your visa application or interview, please contact the specific U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you are filing.
For students pursuing an F-1 visa, the earliest a U.S. Embassy or Consulate can grant an F-1 visa is 365 days before the program start date listed on your I-20. For students pursuing a J-1 exchange visitor visa, you are not subject to the 365-day limit on how long before your program start date you may apply. Regardless of visa type, once your visa is issued and received, review it for accuracy and highlight any errors with the issuing U.S. Embassy or Consulate immediately.
Entering the U.S.
Once your visa has been issued, the earliest you may enter the U.S. is 30 days before the program start date listed on your I-20 or DS-2019.
When entering the U.S., you will want to have the following physical documents with you:
- Valid I-20 or DS-2019
- Valid F-1 or J-1 visa
- Valid Passport (valid at least 6 months into the future)
- Proof and evidence of your financial support as stated on your I-20 or DS-2019
- I-901 SEVIS fee payment receipt
After every arrival to the U.S., verify your I-94 record. Make sure it correctly states your applicable entry status as “F-1, D/S” or “J-1, D/S”. If your I-94 does not reflect the correct entry status, please contact our office immediately.
Additional Resources
I-20/DS-2019 Travel Signatures
Our office will give you a travel signature on your I-20 or DS-2019 once you arrive in the U.S. and meet with us. Each travel signature is valid for one year from the date of signature.
If you plan to travel outside the U.S. during your program of study or on an approved period of post-completion OPT, you will need a valid travel signature on your I-20 or DS-2019 to reenter and re-establish your F-1 or J-1 visa status. You will also need:
- Valid passport (valid at least 6 months into the future unless exempt by country-specific agreements)
- Valid F-1 or J-1 visa
- Valid EAD card (where applicable)
We recommend that you contact our office before traveling to ensure that all your documents are current and to understand any associated risks with travelling outside the U.S.
Additional Resources
Applying for a Visa
Visit your local U.S. Embassy or Consulate website. This tool can help you locate your nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Follow their instructions to apply. Generally, you will need to submit completed Form DS-160 and include the following associated support documents:
- Valid Passport
- Photo DS-2019 *sign and date your document in ink*
- I-901 SEVIS fee payment receipt and any separate visa application fee payment receipts
- Proof and evidence of your financial support as stated on your DS-2019
- Official Lehman College invitation letter
- Any other documents listed on the specific U.S. embassy/consulate website
If you have any questions about the visa application process and the documents required for your visa application or interview, please contact the specific U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you are filing.
Once your visa is issued and received, review it for accuracy and highlight any errors with the issuing U.S. Embassy or Consulate immediately.
Entering the U.S.
Once your visa has been issued, the earliest you may enter the U.S. is 30 days before the program start date (see section #3) listed on your DS-2019. When entering the U.S., you will want to have the following physical documents with you:
- Valid DS-2019
- Valid J-1 visa
- Valid Passport (valid at least 6 months into the future)
- Proof and evidence of your financial support as stated on your DS-2019
- I-901 SEVIS fee payment receipt
After every arrival to the U.S., verify your I-94 record. Make sure it correctly states your applicable entry status as “J-1, D/S”. If your I-94 does not reflect the correct entry status, please contact our office immediately.
DS-2019 Travel Signatures
Our office will give you a travel signature on your DS-2019 once you arrive in the U.S. and meet with us. Generally, travel signatures are valid for one year from the date of signature. For those under the Short-Term Scholar category, please note that the maximum validation period is up to six months from the date of the signature.
If you plan to travel outside the U.S. during your stay as an exchange visitor, you will need a valid travel signature on your DS-2019 to reenter and re-establish your J-1 visa status. You will also need:
- Valid passport (valid at least 6 months into the future unless exempt by country-specific agreements)
- Valid J-1 visa
We recommend that you contact our office before traveling to ensure that all your documents are current and to discuss any associated risks with travelling outside the U.S.