International Student Applicants

You will need to get certified English translations of your transcript from a third party; LSAC does not offer translation services.

Have your original and translated transcript documents sent directly to LSAC

IMPORTANT NOTE: All academic documents MUST be mailed directly to LSAC from the issuing institution in a sealed school envelope with a stamp or seal across the sealed flap of the envelope.

Applicants with education records from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom may send digital documents through verified providers. Check with LSAC on what digital services are accepted. 

See more: LSAC Transcripts & Academic Records

Some foreign-educated students may be required to attend a two-week course called Introduction to the US Legal System (3 credits). This takes place on campus in August, two weeks prior to the start of the semester. You will be advised regarding next steps by the Office of International & Graduate Programs following your admission and deposit. 

Resources and accommodations are available for students with disabilities as well as international students who qualify. Details and information can be found on the Accessibility Resources page.

Students can either buy or rent new or used textbooks from the bookstore on campus. Students can also order them online. It is best to order books as soon as possible. After class registration, students can go to their MyStetson account and view their “Stetson Student Schedule”. There is an option to purchase the books on the class schedule. That will give the book information as well as the cost of the book at the bookstore.

International students on F and J visas may work on campus up to 20 hours a week. Students can apply for an on-campus job once they arrive for orientation.  Student work opportunities may come up throughout the semester.

See more: Student and Exchange Visas

Students, especially international students, have a lot of costs when they first arrive. They need to buy bed sheets, toiletries, a US SIM card, etc. Besides these initial costs, the average weekly budget for food, restaurants, nights out, etc. is around $150-200. However, students can spend more or less based on their habits of cooking their own meals versus eating out at restaurants. Often, there are events on campus that offer free food, whether hosted by the college or by a student organization. There are also many free activities throughout the area so social activities don't need to cost money unless you want them to.

Students also need to budget for books for each semester, which can cost up to $500 per semester depending on the books assigned to registered classes. Students on a budget can check the library to see if they have a copy available for use. Be aware, that there are only a few copies and may be restrictions, such as not taking it outside the library or only being able to use it for a limited amount of hours.

For information regarding up-to-date visa and immigration regulations, contact the Office of International & Graduate Programs at [email protected] or 727-562-7654

See more: USCIS F Visa | USCIS J Visa

You will arrange flights into Tampa International Airport (TPA). There are various forms of transportation, including Ubers, bus shuttles, and taxis readily available at the airport. We encourage international students to communicate their arrival information with the Office of International & Graduate Programs to assist with airport pickup arrangements.

International students need to have an international driver's license to be able to drive in Florida. If you choose to get one, review information with the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles on required documents. 

International students that are willing to get a Florida driver's license need to go to a tax collector center with the required documents and pay a fee (around $45) and pass an eye test. Some countries (i.e. France) have a reciprocal agreement with Florida so that their citizens do not need to take any written or practical driving test. Some other countries (i.e. Germany) have a limited reciprocal agreement, so their citizens need to take a written test. Check with the local Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Office.

See more: Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles FAQ

Completion of the LLM in International Law: American Legal Studies track will meet the qualifications for the New York Bar exam. The LLM in International Law, in either track, does not qualify students to take the bar exam in the state of Florida. 

Completion of the LLM in Advocacy, LLM in Elder Law, and LLM in Environmental Law will not qualify a foreign-educated attorney to sit for a U.S. Bar exam in any state.

The LLM in International Law may enable students to sit for the bar in jurisdictions outside of New York that allow LLM graduates to take the bar. Each state has its own regulations regarding qualification for a state bar exam and students are responsible to do their own research regarding these regulations. All foreign-educated applicants should speak directly with the state bar they wish to sit for to verify their requirements, as they are subject to change.

See more: The National Conference of Bar Examiners

The I-20 Form is the document sent to you from the university which you must present to a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad to obtain a visa, and which you present to immigration officials to enter the U.S.

Once you are admitted and have paid your seat deposit, the Office of International and Graduate Programs will contact you about your next steps. You will need to provide a variety of documents in order for Stetson Law to issue your I-20 Form.

Required Documents:

• Financial Declaration Form
• Proof of Funds to cover all expected expenses (Bank statement or letter from the bank)
• Sponsorship Letter (if your proof of funds does not belong to you)
• Scan of your Passport's bio page
• Address where we should send your I-20

Your I-20 Form will be shipped to you using a courier service and the tracking number will be provided to you once it is dispatched. A charge for the shipping of this document will appear on your student account and will need to be paid before classes begin.

Please note that if you plan to travel outside the U.S. during the program, the I-20 must be signed for travel every 6 months in order for you to be able to depart and reenter the U.S. in F-1 status. If you travel within the U.S. a new signature isn't required but a copy should be carried with you in case it is needed.     

All international students applying for an F-1 visa must pay an I-901 SEVIS fee. This is a mandatory payment required by the government and not associated with Stetson Law's costs. The SEVIS fee is not associated with your visa application fee. They are separate fees. You must have a receipt of payment for the SEVIS fee before applying for your visa. Without a receipt, you will not be allowed to schedule a visa interview.  

Online SEVIS Fee instructions

• Go to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) SEVIS I-901 Fee processing website  
• Click on "Pay I-901 Fee"  
• It requires the SEVIS Identification Number. This # begins with an N and has 10 Digits. Stetson's School Code number is MIA214F00111000 for F-visa.
• Check that the information is correct on the next page.
• Use a credit card to finish the payment
• Print out the receipt
• For additional details on SEVIS and the SEVIS fee, access the SEVIS website at I-901 SEVIS Fee FAQ

*Canadian citizens only:

• No visa or visa application is required of Canadian citizens
• Pay the SEVIS fee as in either 3  a.i. or 3.a.ii, above and get the receipt
• Present the SEVIS fee payment receipt at a U.S. Port of Entry 
  

See more: I-901 SEVIS Fee FAQ

IMPORTANT NOTE: Always check with USCIS for the most up-to-date instructions and requirements as they are subject to change without notice.

Once you get your I-20, please make sure to review it for errors. It is very important that all the information matches your passport. Once you complete the SEVIS fee payment and have your I-20, you can proceed to make a visa appointment with your local US Embassy or Consulate.   

1. Call the American Consulate for information on procedures for applying for a student visa. You may also visit the Consulate's web site. For various consular websites visit US Embassy website.
2. Start early. All consulates are now requiring interviews. It may take several weeks or months to get an appointment. New security measures may also take additional time. 
3. All visa applicants must pay a visa fee. This is usually paid at a bank in the city where the consulate is located.  
4. Complete the visa application: Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (DS-160)
5. Prepare your application materials carefully to prove your visa eligibility. See US Visas - Study & Exchange for tips on student visa applications. You will need the following:
   • Valid passport
   • I-20
   • Verification of Finances to pay for your education
   • Stetson University materials (admission letter, etc.)
   • Verification of having paid SEVIS fee
   • Educational Documents including transcripts, diplomas, exam scores, etc.
   • Proof of close ties to your home country
   • Proof of a home in your country that you will not abandon  
   • Proof of a job or job offer to return home to
   • Proof of close family to return to and to provide for
   • All types of visa support letters
   • Evidence of intention to return to your home country after you complete your education 

Admission into the U.S.: Students must carry 1) I-20/DS Form, 2) Valid F/J Visa (except for Canadian F Visa Students), 3) Proof of Funds and 4) I-901 Receipt

Report to Campus: All students on an F or J Visa must report to the campus listed on the I-20/DS Form. Failure to enroll in the university listed on your document by the program start date may result in the loss of your student status.

Study: All students must maintain full-time status. At Stetson Law that is defined as 12 credit hours per semester.

Report Address Changes: All visa holders must report their address or any changes to their address to their DSO or RO within 10 days of the change. The DSO and RO are in the Office of International and Graduate Programs. 

Work: Students may work for a maximum of 20 hours a week on campus while studying, unless authorized for CPT or OPT (see below.)

Re-Entry/Travel: If a student plans to travel internationally during the program, the I-20/DS Form must be signed within the past year. If students travel within the US a new signature isn't required but a copy should be carried with the student in case it is needed.

Working off campus requires additional authorization and is only offered to F Visa holders. You will work with the Office of International and Graduate Programs if you are eligible for and offered a qualifying CPT or OPT position. 

Curriculum Practical Training (CPT) – This option is available to F Visa holders during their studies to gain practical experience relative to their academic studies. Stetson Law requires students to register for credits and the American Bar Association (ABA) requires that the position be unpaid.

• Processed by Stetson Law no later than the week after classes begin (Add/Drop Period)
• Commitment from an employer is needed

Optional Practical Training (OPT) - This option is available to F Visa holders after the student graduates to gain law-related practical experience.

• Processed by USCIS 90 days before graduation
• No commitment from an employer is needed