I-20 and SEVIS Information

You've already been admitted -- now it's time to get your visa. Here are the steps.

Get your I-20 Form for an F-1 Student Visa (or DS-2019 for a J-1 visa).

1. In order to get an I-20, you must send original documents that show you have enough money available to you for at least the first year of your degree program. Remember, a visa officer may ask you how you intend to pay for the other years as well.
   
   Here is the form you need to verify that you have the required amount of money available to you:
   
   FINANCIAL VERIFICATION FORM

2. When we issue your I-20, all your identification information must be correct.
   
   Here is the form you need to complete to ensure that we issue you a complete and correct I-20:
   
   SEVIS SUPPLEMENT FORM

3. If you are already studying in the United States on an F-1 Student Visa, you must get official permission to "transfer" from your current school.
   
   Here is the form you and your International Student Advisor need to fill out in order to complete your "transfer" to the University of Denver:
   
   TRANSFER ELIGIBILITY FORM

Now you have your I-20 Form, it's time to apply for your visa.

In order to do so, you need to have the following:

• A passport. In order to enter the United States on a student visa, you must have an I-20 and a passport valid for at least 6 months past the expiration date on the
  I-20.

• You must pre-pay the $100 SEVIS fee. This fee must be paid at least three days before your interview. See instructions at the end of this page or click here.

• An interview. All visa applicants are required to be interviewed. You must make an appointment with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate for an in-person interview as early as possible. Be prepared for the interview. The officer is required to consider you as a person who intends to stay permanently in the U.S. It is your responsibility to show that you intend to return to your country. You must show that you have strong ties to your country and will return after you complete your studies. Take as much documentation as you can -- family connections, property, jobs, monetary ties, and so on. The officer will only have a few minutes to make a decision regarding your application. He or she may also ask why you want to study in the United States. Which subject? Why did you choose the University of Denver? Be sure to take the following information with you:

  • Passport.

  • Financial documents. You will need to prove to the Visa Officer that you have enough money available to you for at least the first year. The Visa Officer may ask you how you intend to pay for the rest of your education and expenses, too.

  • Admission letter.

  • I-20 form.

  • Copies of all educational documents you presented to the University in order to be admitted.

Try to organize your papers so that you have easy access to them when they are requested.

SEVIS FEE INSTRUCTIONS

New Regulations
As of September 2, 2004, all applicants who want a student visa must pay a $100 SEVIS fee. To learn more about the purpose of this fee, please visit http://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/index.htm

Important things to remember

In order to enter the United States on a student visa, you must have an I-20 and a passport valid for at least 6 months past the expiration date on the I-20

The SEVIS fee must be processed at least 3 business days before the consular interview unless the applicant has a printed receipt from the Internet payment. *Fees will not be payable at the consulate.

*F-1 and J-1 visa applicants in India and China may be able to pay the SEVIS fee at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate as part of a pilot program between the Department of State and DHS. Please check with your local consulate in India or China to see if the pilot program is available.

There are currently 3 payment options.

• Payment in US dollars by credit card over the Internet

• Payment in US dollars by check or bank draft, drawn on a US bank

• Western Union Quick Pay™ (this option is available in any country where Western Union offers its Quick Pay™ service

Go to http://www.fmjfee.com

• Click on "Proceed to I-901 Form & Payment"

• Scroll to the bottom, select 1-20 and OK

• Fill out the next page on personal information

• The form requires the "School Code" which is on your I-20.

• DU's school code is DEN 214F 00135 000

• The form requires the SEVIS Identification Number on the I-20. This number is in the upper right hand corner of the I-20, begins with an N and has 10 digits

• Check that the information is correct on the next page.

• Choose First class mail or expedited delivery. First class mail is recommended because you will print the receipt at the end and this will serve for the US Embassy.

• The Credit Card Form has a place for Cardholder address. You do not need to fill this in. It is not a required field.

• PRINT AT LEAST 2 COPIES OF THE RECEIPT!