Immigration Support

Immigration Compliance
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5246 USA
(269) 387-5865

F-1 Future Student

Photo of students carrying flags

The Form I-20 or Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Status—For Academic and Language Students is the immigration document that a student receives under the F visa program. This form is issued by Western Michigan University for a prospective student to schedule a visa interview with the consulate in order to obtain an F visa. The SEVIS number, located in the upper-right corner of the I-20, is assigned by SEVIS and is unique to each student.

Step 1

  • Apply for admission to Western Michigan University.
  • After being admitted to WMU, the student will be issued an I-20 immigration form.
    • This form will include the student's field of study, length of program and program start date.
    • The I-20 will allow the student to apply for the student visa.
    • Information on student visas is available on the U.S. Department of State website.

Step 2

  • Visit the SEVIS I-901 fee website to pay the I-901 fee.
  • Make sure to print the receipt to take to the visa interview.

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

  • Once the student receives the I-20 form from WMU, follow the U.S. Embassy/Consulate instructions to schedule an interview for the F-1 visa; it is important to apply for the visa early.
    • Visa wait times vary from country to country. A list of visa wait times by country can be found on the U.S. Department of State website.
    • Appointments are generally scheduled no sooner than 120 days before the program start date listed on the I-20.

Step 6

Go to the visa interview with the following documents:

  • Passport—valid for at least six months
  • Form I-20
  • Original WMU admission letter
  • Completed visa application confirmation page
  • One 2-inch-by-2-inch photograph in the prescribed format
  • Receipts for all fees paid (e.g., SEVIS, visa)
  • Financial evidence of sufficient funds
  • Any information proving ties to return to the student's home country (e.g., proof of property, family)
  • Transcripts and diplomas from previous schools
  • Scores from standardized test (e.g., TOEFL)

For more information, consult with an advisor in International Student and Scholar Services (I3S).

F-1 Students and exchange visitors receiving an initial Form I-20 from the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System are required to pay the United States Department of Homeland Security a SEVIS fee.

What is the SEVIS fee?

The Department of Homeland Security is mandated by the United States Congress to cover the costs of the SEVIS program. The fee will pay for the operating costs of SEVIS and additional SEVIS liaison officers, who will be a resource for students and schools. The fee is a Department of Homeland Security fee; it is not a school or visa fee.

Who pays the SEVIS fee?

The SEVIS fee is paid by all prospective F-1 Students who are issued an initial I-20. Dependents are not required to pay the fee.

If a student is in the U.S., do they still have to pay the SEVIS fee?

If a student applies for a change of status to F-1, they still are required to pay the fee. If the student is absent from the U.S. for an extended period and will need a new initial I-20 and visa, the student will need to pay the fee. If the student is in violation of status in the U.S. for more than five months and applies for reinstatement, they will need to pay the fee.

How does the student pay the SEVIS fee?

The SEVIS fee may be paid electronically by submitting Form I-901 online. A credit card or debit card must be used to pay online.

The SEVIS fee may also be paid by submitting the Form I-901 by mail. A check or money order must be used to pay by mail.

When does the SEVIS fee get paid?

The SEVIS fee must be paid prior to visa issuance or change of status. To ensure that the payment has been received, make sure the fee is paid at least three days prior to the visa appointment.

If changing status in the U.S., pay the fee prior to sending in the change of status application. Print out the receipt immediately to take to the consulate as proof of payment or include with the change of status application.

What if I am Canadian?

Canadian citizens entering the U.S. do not need a visa. Students will need to make sure they pay the SEVIS fee at least three days in advance of the student's anticipated entry date. The student will need to print a receipt of payment after completing the payment. The student should take the receipt with them to the port of entry. Payment of the fee will be verified at the port of entry.

How does a student prove the fee was paid?

Consulates, service centers and ports of entry should be able to verify SEVIS fee payment if the payment was made at least three days in advance of the visa interview. Applicants are advised to take proof of payment to the visa interview.

Can someone other than the student pay the SEVIS fee?

A third party—such as a sponsoring agency, a school or an academic department—can pay the SEVIS fee for the student. Make sure to be in touch with the third party to get a receipt and proof of payment. Friends or family may also pay the fee.

How long is the SEVIS valid or what if the visa is denied?

The SEVIS fee is good for 12 months. If the student does not obtain a visa in that time, the student will have to begin the process all over again and pay an additional SEVIS fee.

For more information, contact International Student and Scholar Services.

 

To change status while in the U.S. to an F-1 Student from another nonimmigrant status, the applicant will need to be admitted to a full-time academic program and obtain a Form I-20 from the admitting institution. The applicant should continue to maintain valid nonimmigrant status and must not leave the U.S. while the change of status application is pending at United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, or the petition will be deemed abandoned.

If traveling outside the U.S., the applicant may seek to obtain the desired status upon reentry if they have obtained an F-1 visa at a U.S. consulate. Upon obtaining the F-1 visa, the applicant may travel to the U.S. as an F-1 Student.

Applying for a change of status to F-1 does not automatically make the applicant eligible to enroll in classes or for on-campus employment.

It is the student's responsibility to make sure that there will be no gap in the authorized period of stay between their current status end date and the start of the F-1 status.

Make an appointment with an immigration advisor to assist you with a change of status.

The Change of Status Form is accessible on the Forms page.