CESL Admissions is here to support you throughout your application process. If you have any questions after reading this information please email us at cesl@arizona.edu.
Follow the tabs below from top to bottom for steps necessary for acquiring immigration documents for traveling and studying in the United States.
What are the steps to applying for an F-1 Student Visa?
- Apply to the CESL Program
- When you are admitted to the CESL program, you will receive your I-20 and admission letter
- Pay your SEVIS fee
- Complete your visa application
- Schedule and attend your visa interview
I-20 Request Deadlines
Form I-20
The I-20 is a Certificate of Eligibility that reflects the information in your SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Program) record. It lists your biographical information, program of study, estimated expenses, and source of funding.
I-20 request deadlines are the same dates as the Application Deadline for the session:
Our full time program applications collect all the information we need to begin the I-20 request for you. Once the application is submitted and paid, we review all documents and work with you on any corrections needed. After being fully processed, we will email you the I-20 and the Letter of Admission needed for the next steps.
Are you transferring from another school in the U.S.?
If you're a transfer-in student, you still need to submit your application by the deadline, even if your SEVIS record won’t be released to CESL until later. Below are the additional documents you need to upload to your online application.
1. Current I-20
2. Current I-94
3. Copy of visa
4. F-1 Student Transfer request form ( available at http://arizona.app.box.com/v/transfer-form)
Please note that we do not accept records with Completed or Terminated status. If your record is in either of these statuses, please inform us so we can issue a new Initial I-20 form. You will need to leave the U.S. and re-enter using the new I-20.
Are your spouse or children planning to join you in the U.S. as your F-2 dependents?
You’ll need to submit copies of their:
- Passport biographical pages
- Proof of relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate or passport listing the children’s parents)
Using the SEVIS ID number at the top of your I-20, your will pay the SEVIS I-901 fee. The SEVIS I-901 fee, paid to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), is separate from visa application fees. Print a copy of your receipt to bring to your visa interview.
Special Considerations:
- Students with a country of birth/citizenship of Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, or Gambia cannot pay online and must pay by mail or Western Union Quick Pay. Mail service varies throughout the world, allow at least 2 weeks for delivery.
- The fee is not required for SEVIS transfers or F-2 dependents.
- If you already paid the SEVIS I-901 fee on a different SEVIS ID that you did not use, you can request a transfer of the fee to your new SEVIS ID within 12 months of the initial SEVIS fee payment. Learn more at I-901 SEVIS Fee Frequently Asked Questions ("How Can I-901 SEVIS Fee Paid on One SEVIS ID be Moved to Another SEVIS ID?").
Visa processing times vary. Find the nearest U.S. consulate or embassy, then submit the online DS-160 form to apply for your F-1 visa.
Review these resources to learn more about applying for your student visa:
Special Considerations:
- SEVIS transfers are only required to apply for a new visa if you are outside the U.S. and your current visa has expired.
- Citizens of Canada and Bermuda are not required to apply for a student visa.
Visa Delays and Expedited Appointments
Information about requesting an expedited appointment is available on the State Department website. We cannot provide visa support letters or contact the embassy or consulate to intervene in your visa application in any way.
If you are outside the U.S. and unable to enter for your starting term, contact your international recruiter to discuss your options, then submit the Change of Plans e-form.
Visa Denials
Receiving a visa denial can be frustrating, but that doesn't necessarily mean you’re at the end of your academic journey in the U.S. If your application is denied, the U.S. consulate or embassy will issue a letter explaining the denial reason. Common reasons for visa denials include insufficient financial support, missing or incorrect documentation, and failure to establish non-immigrant intent.
If your visa application is denied, you may be able to reapply for the visa after addressing the reasons for denial mentioned in the letter.
Learn more about visa denials on the U.S. Department of State website.
The earliest you may enter the U.S. is 30 days before your program start date. As your session approaches, you will receive a CESL Attendance Confirmation form. Please indicate your arrival date and submit the completed form.
You should hand-carry the following documents to present at Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the U.S. Port of Entry:
Required
- I-20 (don't forget to print and sign!)
- Passport with a valid visa (if applicable)
Recommended
- Funding documents
- SEVIS I-901 Fee receipt (required for citizens of Canada and Bermuda)
- Visa & Entry Letter (change this to CESL sample)
Entry to the U.S. is at the discretion of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and CBP may require you to go through Secondary Inspection and/or choose to inspect your electronic devices to further verify the information. Since this may cause delays at your initial port of entry to the U.S., make sure you have enough travel time between any connecting flights.
If you're entering the U.S. for the first time, Customs and Border Protection may check that you plan to attend the school specified on your F-1 visa. This requirement only applies to initial entry in F-1 status.
Read more about entry to the U.S. on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement website: Student Process Steps: How to Navigate the U.S. Immigration System.
Upon arrival, please bring your passport and I-20 and check in at Office 101.
- New students who do not attend orientation on Friday of intake week will be charged a late orientation fee of $100 and will not be allowed to receive a schedule until the fee is paid and orientation is completed.
- Late tuition fee: 10% of tuition. Applicable to new, returning, and continuing students who have not paid tuition by 5:00 PM on Tuesday of intake week.
If a full time student fails to enroll on time and accumulates excessive absences, his/her I-20 will be terminated and they will be dismissed from CESL.
Review U.S. Requirements
Before and during your time at CESL, please review and be aware of the policies of the U.S. Government regarding requirements for international students studying here, including policies regarding health insurance, attendance, travels, and pauses in your study (vacation [note 1 academic year = 5 sequential sessions], leaves, etc.).
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Student Exchange and Visitor Program (SEVP/SEVIS)
IMPORTANT: You will not be able to register for classes without 2 MMR immunizations against measles, mumps, and rubella.
Immunization Requirements
- All students born after December 31, 1956, must provide proof of measles, mumps, and rubella immunity.
- You will not be allowed to register at CESL until you show proof of immunization.
- If you do not bring the proof with you, you will need to be vaccinated at the Campus Health Center before you can register at CESL.
Measles, mumps and rubella can be serious, life threatening illnesses. Arizona state law requires immunization for ALL students as a public health measure to protect students and the community alike. You must have TWO MMR immunizations to attend the University of Arizona. One of the MMRs must be after December 31, 1979. Go to your physician or health care service to obtain proof of immunization. This proof may be a copy of your immunization record, or you may have the attached immunization record form signed by your doctor verifying the dates of your immunization. You must bring proof of immunization to CESL.
Proof of Immunization
There are three ways to prove immunization:
- The Immunization Record Form signed by your physician
- A copy of your immunization record showing vaccination since 1980, or
- You will be vaccinated upon arrival at CESL at the Campus Health Center. You will have to get your second measles immunization after one month. Each immunization at the Campus Health Center will cost $68.00.