State department clarifies visa process

Immigration reform has been popping up on state agendas across the country. But the Department of Homeland Security is trying to help international students study in the United States.

Study in the States, sponsored by DHS, aims to simplify the process for the “best and brightest” university students around the world to study in the U.S., according to a press release.

“It’s a way to try to make us look more welcoming, which is good,” said Rendy Schrader, director of international student and scholar advising.

 “I just don’t think it’s going to have a huge impact on the type or number of students that we get.”

She said nothing in the process for international students to come to the United States will change. Rather, it is a way for all necessary information to be located on one central site.

Essentially, it will allow international students to remain up-to-date on processes and procedures they must go through in order to study here, Schrader said.

She said she doubts IU will be greatly affected by the initiative, attributing IU’s international student population to an international recruiter and word of mouth.

“IU is very fortunate in that people want to come here and study,” Schrader said.

And although the Study in the States initiative does not represent an easier method for international students, Schrader outlined the steps a student outside of the United States must go through if he or she wishes to study here.

Process for international students to come to U.S. university

An international student applies as any U.S. citizen would by submitting an application as well as test scores and class standing.

The student must prove he or she has enough funding for a year’s worth of expenses, including tuition.

His or her credentials are then evaluated to ensure equivalency to U.S. scores, as nations have different academic standards.

An immigration form, usually an I-20, is issued to the student and is then used to apply for a student visa with the U.S. embassy in order to travel to the country.

What is an I-20?
An I-20 is a document issued by a university that is generated by the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, or SEVIS.

A student is permitted to obtain more than one I-20, depending on the number of schools he or she was accepted to.

It is a government-approved document that asks basic questions about the student’s background and his or her intentions for studying in the United States (major, reason for coming to the United States, etc.)

It assigns the student with a number, which becomes part of the federal database.

To apply for student visa (after completion of I-20)

Request an appointment with the U.S. embassy. The wait time for an appointment varies depending on the country.

Pay a SEVIS fee.

Bring proof of funding, the I-20 form, a valid passport, the SEVIS payment receipt, visa application papers and admissions letter to appointment.

Be prepared for a short interview to test for English proficiency and to determine if the student intends to return home following his or her studies in the United States.

Wait one to two weeks before a visa stamp can be put in the student’s passport.
Students must apply for their visas more than 90 days before the scheduled start date listed on their I-20 form.