The following instructions are provided for students who have been accepted for admission to McDaniel College and have received a SEVIS I-20 from the college:
Step 1: Read your SEVIS Form I-20
Your SEVIS Form I-20 indicates that we have created a record for you in the Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Your assigned SEVIS ID number is in the upper-right-corner of page 1 of your SEVIS Form I-20. If any information on your SEVIS Form I-20 is incorrect, contact the International Programs Office.
Step 2: Make Sure Your Passport is Valid
In order to avoid possible problems applying for a visa or entering the U.S., it is recommended that your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you intend to remain in the U.S.
Step 3: Pay the SEVIS Fee
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is now requiring proof of payment of the SEVIS fee before issuing a visa or approving any benefits of status. This fee must be paid by new F-1 students. While immigration regulations indicate that the fee should be paid a minimum of three business days prior to a visa application at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate, we suggest that students pay the fee as soon as they receive the Form I-20 to allow sufficient time for DHS to update the fee payment in the student’s electronic SEVIS record. Please refer to the Student and Exchange Visitor website for more information.
To Pay the SEVIS Fee Online
- Log onto the following website: https://www.fmjfee.com/index.jhtml and follow instructions.
- Complete the Form I-901 online
- Submit the electronic Form I-901 and electronic payment.
- Print a copy of the online receipt to use as temporary proof of payment until you receive the Form I-797 receipt.
- A formal Form I-797 receipt notice should be issued within three days from date of payment. It will be sent to the address you indicated on Form I-901. Be sure to make copies of your receipt, and keep the original with your other important immigration documents.
Note: The SEVIS Fee is not the same as the visa fee and is non-refundable. However, if your F-1 visa application is denied by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate, you will not be required to pay a new SEVIS fee if you reapply for a new F-1 visa within 12 months of the denial.
Step 4: Obtain a valid F-1 Visa
Citizens of all countries, except citizens of Canada and Bermuda, are required to have F-1 visas to enter the U.S. to study. You must contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate to initiate your visa application. Most Consular Posts will process an application 120 days prior to the start date of the academic program listed on your SEVIS Form I-20. Please refer to the following U.S. Department of State (USDOS) for more information.
To apply for a visa, you will need to submit the following documents to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate:
- Application for Nonimmigrant Visa (Form DS-156) which can be obtained from any U.S. Consulate or downloaded from the following USDOS website.
- Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application (Form DS-157), for all male applicants between the ages of 16 and 45, which can be obtained from any U.S. Consulate or downloaded from the following USDOS website.
- Contact Information and Work History For Nonimmigrant visa applicant (Form DS-158), which can be obtained from any U.S. Consulate or downloaded from the following USDOS website.
- Pay application fee.
- One 2 x 2 "passport" size photograph
- Passport
- Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status (SEVIS Form I-20) from McDaniel College
- Form I-797 Receipt or online proof of SEVIS Fee payment.
- Letter confirming admission to McDaniel College
- Original financial documents proving the availability of sufficient funds as reflected on your SEVIS Form I-20
- Documents which demonstrate that you intend to return home after your studies (more information).
All visa applicants are now required to schedule an appointment for an interview. Please keep in mind that it may take a few weeks to schedule an appointment, so you should initiate your visa application as early as possible.
If a visa application is denied, it is difficult to get the Consulate to change its decision. For this reason, it is important that you arrive at your appointment with the best and most complete supporting information. If your visa is denied, we suggest that you ask for the reason for the denial and request a reason in writing if possible.
Step 5: Travel to the U.S.
Once you have obtained your F-1 visa, you are ready to travel to the United States. Immigration regulations allow you to enter the U.S. no earlier than 30 days prior to the start of your program indicated in section 5 of your SEVIS Form I-20. You must carry with you items 6-11 listed in Step 4. Place these documents in a folder or envelope that you will have with you at all times during your travel. During your trip to, or upon your arrival in the U.S. you will be given a form called Arrival Record/Departure Record (Form I-94). Using a pen, print the information requested on this form, making certain to spell your name exactly as it is spelled in your passport.
Step 6: Apply for “entry” to the U.S. (Port of Entry)
When you arrive in the U.S., you will apply for “admission” and an Immigration Inspector will examine your documents.
You will need to present the following documents:
You will need to have the following documents ready to present, should the Inspector ask for them:
- Admission letter from McDaniel College
- Original financial documents
Once the immigration officer has inspected your documents and determine your eligibility for admission into the United States as a non-immigrant foreign student the officer will photograph and fingerprint you. The officer also has the right to question you about your financial status, your intentions regarding working in the United States, and your intent to attend the school indicated on your visa and I-20.
If the immigration officer asks you whether you intend to work in the U.S, you should respond that you will only work as directed by the stipulations of your F-1 visa status.
When you pass the inspection, the officer will stamp your passport and Form I-20, and will write "D/S F-1" on your I-94 card.
Remember: The I-94 card documents your authorized stay in the US, so it’s very important to keep it in your passport.
Additional Information