Admissions
| International Students : Important Documents | ||
Before you can enroll at Stetson University, you will need to achieve legal status for study or travel abroad. Usually, achieving legal status means obtaining the F-1 or J-1 visa, a passport, and an I-94 card. About F-1 and J-1 Visas Most people who come to the U.S. for an extended period of study must first obtain a nonimmigrant U.S. visa. There are two types of nonimmigrant visas -- the F-1, which allows nonimmigrants to enter the U.S. solely for the purpose of study, and the J-1 visa, for people who wish to teach, study, research, consult, demonstrate special skills, or receive training in the U.S. F-1 visa recipients are required to return to the country of permanent residence upon completing studies. You may apply for your nonimmigrant F-1 or J-1 visa at the U.S. embassy or consulate nearest your home. You must take all necessary supporting documents with you to your visa appointment, including your passport, Form I-20 or Form IAP-66, and appropriate financial documentation. A visa does not guarantee entry into the U.S. It only allows you to present yourself for entry into the U.S. at a point of entry. A U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS) officer at the point of entry will grant or deny your admission to the U.S., and will determine how long you may remain in the U.S. You will not necessarily need your visa every time you travel outside of the U.S. If you plan to travel overseas, you should examine your visa and passport to determine your immigration status, number of entries permitted, and the expiration date. If you will re-enter the U.S. with the same immigration status and the initial visa has not expired and is valid for more than one entry, you do not need a new visa. Individuals whose status has changed prior to departure or who will re-enter the U.S. with a different status will need a new visa. You should make any arrangements for applying for a new visa with the appropriate U.S. embassy or consulate before departing the U.S. Nationals of countries in the Visa Waiver Pilot Program do not need to obtain visas. Canadian citizens do not usually need a nonimmigrant visa for study in the U.S. Form I-20 Form I-20, or the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status is issued to students applying for an F-1 student visa. Stetson University will issue Form I-20 to a student who has met the following conditions:
The I-20 shows the date by which F-1 students are required to enter the U.S. and the date by which they are expected to complete their programs. Form IAP-66 The IAP-66 is issued to students applying for J-1 visa status, and is used to enter the U.S. When you pass through immigration at the U.S. port of entry, the immigration inspector will make a notation on the IAP-66 and return the pink copy of the form to you. Do not lose this copy. Only one form will be issued to you, and you will need it to travel and re-enter the U.S. It also proves your legal status in the U.S. The IAP-66 shows the date by which J-1 students are required to enter the U.S. and the date by which they are expected to complete their programs. Students in J-1 status enter into a contractual agreement with their sponsor and are therefore obligated to the terms of the agreement. Some sponsors require that students return home for at least two years following completion of their degrees before adjusting status or entering a new program in the U.S. Passports Not only is a passport required in order to issue a student visa, you must also have a valid passport with you at all times while you are in the U.S. The period of time for which your visa is issued may be limited to the expiration date on your passport. I-94s The I-94 card, or arrival/departure document, is created by the INS upon your arrival in the U.S. and serves as your registration form. Your I-94 will show your date and place of arrival in the U.S., your immigration status, and the length of authorized stay. You must keep your I-94 in your passport because it is your official record of admission and permission to stay in the U.S. When you leave the U.S., you must surrender your I-94 card unless you travel to Canada, Mexico, or other adjacent islands (except Cuba) for a period of 30 days or less, in which case you may be able to use your I-94 to re-enter the U.S. |
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