F-1 Students
Applying for a Visa
Upon meeting all the admission requirements, an I-20 Certificate of Eligibility will be issued by one of the University of Kentucky’s Designated School Officials (DSO) and sent to you as a prospective F-1 student.
Upon receiving the I-20, a SEVIS fee must be paid prior to applying for the visa. The current SEVIS I-901 fee is $200.
Check the Web site of the American Consulate or Embassy to determine all documentation needed for the visa. Visas are issued at the discretion of the Consul, so presenting a properly executed I-20 and the SEVIS fee receipt does not necessarily guarantee the issuance of a visa.
Accompanying dependents are each issued an I-20 in order to apply for F-2 visas. They must be prepared to show proof of relationship to the F-1 applicant (a marriage certificate for the spouse and birth certificates for the children). The SEVIS fee is not charged to dependents.
NOTE: Canadian citizens do not need a visa to enter the United States, but they must show their passport, I-20 and I-901 SEVIS fee receipt at the port of entry where they will be issued an I-94 Arrival-Departure Record.
Entering the US
F-1 students can arrive in the US no earlier than 30 days before the beginning of classes, as noted on their I-20. If your arrival is going to be delayed and you will not be able to begin classes as planned, contact your Admissions Officer.
An I-94 Arrival-Departure form is provided on all international flights. Prior to travel, be sure to read the instructions for completing this form at www.cbp.gov. (In the search field, type “filling out Form I-94.”) This card documents your correct name (as noted in your passport), birth date, arrival date, port of entry and visa status. It also indicates admittance to the United States for "duration of status" or "D/S." This means that the stay is valid as long as you maintain legal status.
At the US Port of Entry you will be asked to present a valid passport with an F-1 visa, the I-901 SEVIS fee receipt and your I-20 Certificate of Eligibility. The Customs & Border Protection (CBP) officer may also wish to examine financial documents, so have those available. Your I-20 and I-94 will then be stamped with the arrival date.
Visa Validity
Since the visa is for entry purposes and is issued only by consulates outside the US, it cannot be renewed while in the US. However, if you leave the US temporarily (with the intention of returning), you must be sure you possess a valid F-1 visa. If you do not have one, you must obtain a new one at the US consulate or embassy in the country you are visiting.