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    Applying for the Visa

    Documents and Procedures

    Once you are admitted to Cornell University, you will need a student visa stamp in your passport to enter the United States (not required of Canadian citizens). To apply for the visa stamp at a U.S. embassy or consulate, you need to have:

    1. a valid passport
    2. I-20 Form (for F-1 visa) or DS-2019 Form (for J-1 visa) prepared by Cornell or your sponsoring agency
    3. your admission letter to Cornell
    4. a copy of your financial documents
    5. passport-type photographs
    6. visa application forms (DS-156, etc. Contact the specific consulate for required forms & fees.)
    7. SEVIS fee payment receipt

    If you have been accepted by several institutions, do not apply for a visa until you decide which you will attend.

    You can enter the U.S. no more than thirty days before the beginning date noted on the I-20 (item #5) or DS-2019 (item #3).

    Apply for your visa stamp as soon as you receive your I-20 or DS-2019. Recently there has been a dramatic increase in the number of visa applications for which additional security clearances are required before a visa can be issued. These security clearances are generally required for students or researchers involved in certain fields of science and for male applicants from certain countries. The security clearance process may delay your visa application by anywhere from one to three months, or even more in rare cases. For more information on security clearances, check out our website.

    Please call the U.S. embassy or nearest consulate for further information regarding obtaining a student visa in your country. People who have Internet access can obtain information from the U.S. Department of State Web page.

    If your application for a student visa is approved, the consular officer will place a visa stamp in your passport. You may then use it to enter the United States with your I-20 or DS-2019 Form.

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    SEVIS Fee

    You will find detailed instructions on how to pay the SEVIS fee attached to your I-20 or DS-2019. This information is also available on our website or on the website of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

    Frequently asked questions about paying the fee are available here.

    If you are paying the SEVIS fee online, please be sure to print a copy of the receipt AS SOON AS you complete the payment procedure.

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    Canadian Citizens

    Canadian citizens do not need a visa stamp to enter the United States to study. You do need to present your I-20 or DS-2019 form and financial support documents at the U.S. border, along with evidence of Canadian citizenship and the SEVIS fee payment receipt. It is important that you make sure you are processed at the border and get an I-94 card with the proper student designation. DO NOT COME IN AS A TOURIST! Canadian landed immigrants, however, must obtain a visa stamp before attempting to enter the U.S. Contact the U.S. embassy/consulate in Canada if you are uncertain.

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    The Difference Between F-1 & J-1 Visas

    The F-1 visa is granted to a student whose sole purpose is to pursue education in the United States and who intends to return to his/her home country after completion of studies. The dependents of an F-1 student are granted an F-2 visa if they would like to come with the F-1 student. If your spouse comes on an F-2 visa, s/he is not permitted to work or earn money in any capacity.

    The J-1 is an exchange visitor visa. Those who are eligible for Cornell’s J-1 program must be funded by one of the following: Cornell University, an organization, a government, an agency, a foundation, an employer, or an international organization. Students supported solely by family or personal funds are not qualified for Cornell’s J-1 program. The dependents of a J-1 student are granted a J-2 visa and may apply for work authorization once they have entered the U.S.

    J-1 students from certain countries and those receiving funds either from U.S. government or from their own government may be required to return home for two years after completion of studies (“two year home residence requirement”) before being able to return as, or change to, a temporary worker (H-1B) or an immigrant visa (Green Card).

    If you think you are qualified and would like to obtain a J-1 visa, you must submit your request to the Graduate Admissions Office or your professional degree admissions office (JGSM, Law).

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