Immigration Requirements

Required Financial Costs:

View required financial costs: You must provide financial documents that equal the Total Required for Forms I-20/DS-2019 provided on the International Tuition and Costs webpage. 

Acceptable Financial Support Documents:

Bank Statement(s) or Letter(s): Bank statements, investment account statements, balance certificates issued by a financial institution, and letters from financial institutions confirming the availability of funds.

• All statements/letters must be in English and account holder name Romanized (English alphabet). Unofficial translations are acceptable.
• All statements/letters must be dated within the past 12 months at the time of submission.
• All bank statements or letters must include the following:
  • Bank letterhead or name of bank
  • Name of account holder
  • Dates
  • Account balance
  • Type of currency
  • Type of account (Ex. Savings, checking, investment)
• Bank accounts must be for liquid (cash) assets (Example: Cash, Savings, CD with maturity date on or before start of enrollment at Kutztown University).
• If there are cash funds included in an investment account the statement must clearly indicate how much is in liquid (cash) assets and state that you can access them as needed. 

Loan and Scholarship Certificate(s) or Letter(s):

• Must be on official letterhead. 
• Must indicate student name and the amount of the approved loan or scholarship. 
• Conditional loan approvals may be accepted if the condition is the receipt of the I-20/DS-2019.
• Loans applications are NOT accepted as proof of funding.
• Date of loan issuance should be included. 

Financial Sponsorship Letter:

• Must be on official letterhead.
• Must include the name of applicant.
• Must include the amount of money available for each year of study.
• The duration of funding (start and end dates).
• Any requirements or conditions of funding:
  • Example: Degree and major field of study for which the funds are available.
  • Example: Funds are permitted to cover tuition, fees, living expenses, books and supplies, etc. 

Not Acceptable as Proof of Cash Availability:

• Investment accounts (Example: Stocks, bonds, real estate) without proof of liquid (cash) assets. 
• Statements about property, jewelry, cars, pr other forms of non-liquid (cash) assets.
• Retirement accounts/Pension funds.
• Documents older than 6 months.
• Insurance policies. 
• Tax return forms or documents. 
• Payroll reports or expected income statements.

All full time, degree seeking international students are eligible for an F-1 visa. Most Kutztown University international students hold F-1 visa status, however, some students may be eligible for both a J-1 visa and F-1 visa. In this case you may have to choose which one is best for you.

To be eligible for a J-1 visa at least half of your total financial support must be from a source other than personal or family funds. This financial support may be a tuition or housing waiver, scholarship, fellowship, or assistantship from an external funding source such as your home university, home government, a corporate sponsor, or the Kutztown University. Students with only personal or family funding are NOT eligible for a J-1 visa.

Differences Between F-1 and J-1 Student Visas

Category	F-1 Visa	J-1 Visa
Source of Funding	Supported by personal/family funds, outside funds, or a combination of both	More than 50% of funding is from an outside source such as a scholarship, fellowship, or government sponsorship
Proof of Funding	Student must show KU and the U.S. consulate proof of sufficient funding for the first year of study	Student must show KU and the U.S. consulate proof of sufficient funding for the entire duration of the academic program
Off Campus Employment	Two authorization options: Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for working off campus during studies. This work authorization is approved one semester at a time. Optional Practical Training (OPT) for working off campus, usually after the completion of studies. This is a 12 month work authorization. Student in STEM fields may be authorized for an additional 17 months.	One authorization option: Academic Training (AT) for working off campus during studies or after the completion of studies. This work authorization is for up to 18 months or the length of study in the program, whichever is shorter. PhD students may be authorized for an additional 18 months. The length of approved AT is equal to the length of time spent studying in the U.S. For complete details please visit the employment section of our website.
Dependents	Dependents in F-2 status may study part time and are not eligible for employment.	Dependents in J-2 status may study full time and may apply for employment authorization.

Long Term Implications of a J-1 Visa

J-1 students (and J-2 dependents) are subject to a two-year home country physical presence requirement. It requires J-1 students and their J-2 dependents to return home for at least two years after completing the exchange visitor program. This requirement is part of U.S. law, in the Immigration and Nationality Act, Section 212(e). If you cannot return home for two years, you must apply for a waiver. The Department of Homeland Security must approve your waiver before you can change status in the United States or receive a visa in certain categories. 

12 Month Bar After Previous J-1 Participation

J-1 students who have studied in the U.S. for more than 6 months may not return as a J-1 Research Scholar (another J-1 visa category, often used for post-doctoral research) until at least 12 months have passed. This 12-Month Bar is separate from the two-year home country physical presence requirement listed above. J-2 dependents are also subject to this bar.

If you are an active visa holder in the United States, it may be possible for you to request a change of status through the U.S. government to receive F or J visa designation without the need to travel outside the country and apply for a new visa. You may find information on this page about the change of status process as well as things to consider before applying.

An F-1 student is a nonimmigrant who is pursuing a full course of study to achieve a specific educational or professional objective at an academic institution in the US. Once the educational objectives have been achieved, the F-1 student is expected to return to his or her residence abroad.

A student acquires F-1 status using Form I-20, issued by the U.S. school which the student is attending/planning to attend. Status is acquired in one of two ways:

1. By entering the United States with the I-20 and an F-1 visa obtained at a U.S. consulate abroad (Canadian citizens are exempt from the visa requirement)
2. By applying to USCIS for change of nonimmigrant status (if the student is already in the United States and cannot travel). Please note that if you choose this option, you will not receive an F-1 travel visa, only F-1 status. This means that if you later travel outside the U.S. while in F-1 status, you will have to apply for F-1 visa at a U.S. consulate in order to be able to return to the U.S.

A person of any non-immigrant status except C, D, K, or M (and in some cases J), and except those who entered the United States under the terms of the Visa Waiver Program, can apply for a change to F-1 status if they have maintained lawful non-immigrant status up to the time of application. Those with J status who are subject to 212(e) two-year home country physical requirement may not change status in the U.S. unless a waiver has been granted. Non-immigrants in A, G, or NATO status must first complete Form I-566, and have it properly endorsed by the foreign mission to the U.S. and the Department of State.

Documentation Needed to Apply for Change of Status to F-1

• G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance
• A cover letter (one page) requesting the change of status from your current status to F-1. This letter should include a brief explanation as why you wish to change to F-1 status. You should also provide a checklist of the documentation you are including in your application.
• USCIS Form I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, including application fee.
• Evidence of financial support (i.e., bank statement, assistantship letter, etc.). If you have been offered an assistantship from a department and therefore will need to start your on-campus job under F-1 employment authorization, you may want to request USCIS to expedite your change of status application. There is no guarantee that your application will be expedited, but there is no harm in asking. Note: After your change of status to F-1 is approved, the earliest date you may start working on campus is 30 days before the first day of classes of your first term as F-1 student.
• Copy of the admission letter from Kutztown University.
• Copy of your entire F-1 Form I-20 (sign in “Student Attestation” section on page 1 of the form before making a copy). Do NOT send your original I-20. USCIS does not require the original and will not return it.
• Copy of the receipt indicating payment of the SEVIS fee. Note: The SEVIS fee is separate from the application fee; both fees must be paid if you are applying for the change of status within the U.S.
• Copies of all of the immigration documents (e.g. DS-2019, F-2 I-20, I-797, paper or print-out of electronic Form I-94, valid passport, visa stamp, EAD card, etc.) showing that you are currently in lawful non-immigrant status.
• Copy of the waiver of the 212(e) Two-Year Foreign Residency Requirement (if you were previously in J status and subject to the requirement), if applicable.

We recommend that you make a copy of this application for your own record.

Mailing Address and Where to File

It may take USCIS several months to adjudicate an I-539 request, and therefore you should use a return address that will be valid for many months. We do not recommend trying to change your I-539 mailing address once your application has been submitted to USCIS.

If you know that you will be moving soon, we recommend using a friend or relative’s address in the U.S. If you select this strategy, make sure to include the name of your friend or relative on the line of the I-539 form that says “In care of.” Be sure to verify that their name is on their mail box. The address that you use on your I-539 will dictate to which USCIS Service Center you should mail your application.

The U.S. Postal Service is the only service that delivers to a P.O. Box address. We recommend that you use a trackable mailing method so that you have delivery confirmation of your application. If you send your application with a method that requires a signature upon delivery, use the express mail and courier deliveries address below.

If your change of status is pending with USCIS and you later decide to leave the U.S., your change of status is considered to have been abandoned.

Important Things to Remember

If you are currently in F-3 Status:

Source: 8 CFR (Code of Federal Register) § 214.2(f)(15)(ii)

• Individuals in F-2 status are eligible for part time study. However, once your change of status to F-1 is approved, you are required to be enrolled full time. If your change of status has not been approved by the deadline for adding/dropping classes, your I-20 start date will be deferred until the start of the next semester and you must stay enrolled part time until the end of the current semester in order to maintain your F-2 status.

If you are currently in B1/B2 status:

Source: 8 CFR § 214.2(b)(7) and §248.1(c)

• Individuals in B1/B2 status are prohibited from “enrolling in a course of study” until after USCIS approves their change of status application.

If you are currently in any other status (e.g., H, J, L, E, etc.):

• If your current status allows full-time studies in the U.S., you may start classes before your change of status application is approved. However, you are not allowed employment under F-1 status until after your application is approved. For example, if you have an assistantship, you won’t be able to start it until after you receive your F-1 status.

Traveling and Reentering the U.S.

The alternative method of changing to F-1 status is through travel and re-entry, which may be preferred over the in-country change of status in certain situations. In this case, you would depart the U.S. and then apply for an F-1 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad, preferably the local consulate in your home country. If the F-1 visa application is approved and the F-1 visa is issued, then you can re-enter the U.S. using your F-1 Form I-20 and F-1 visa. At the Port of Entry, your electronic Form I-94 will be updated to show your status as F-1 and the Admit Until Date as D/S, which confirms F-1 status. Note: Canadian citizens are exempt from the requirement of a having an F-1 visa to re-enter the U.S. in F-1 status. But travel and re-entry are still required for Canadian citizens to obtain F-1 status.

If you would like to discuss the risks and benefits of your strategy for change of status, or have questions about your options, schedule an appointment with the Office of International Education and Global Engagement. 

This fee may be paid by the student or another person (friend or family). The SEVIS fee must be paid in U.S. dollars using one of the approved methods.

You will need the Kutztown University I-20 or DS-2019 to pay the SEVIS fee. Review your I-20 or DS-2019 for accuracy, including your name, program of study, and program begin and end dates. Notify international@kutztown.edu immediately if there are errors on your form.

OPTION 1: Online (Digital Form)

1. Complete and submit the Form I-901, which you will find online at www.fmjfee.com. 
2. Pay the fee using Visa, MasterCard, or American Express.
3. Print the payment confirmation and keep it with the documents that you will take to your visa interview.

OPTION 2: By Mail (Paper Form)

Citizens of Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria must complete the paper I-901 Form and pay with a Western Union money transfer, cashier’s check, or money order.

1. Print and complete the Form I-901, which you can get online. 
2. Send the Form I-901 with your check or money order to the address listed in the instructions.
3. Print confirmation of payment from www.fmjfee.com.

Contact the I-901 Helpline for assistance: +1 703-603-3400.

I-901 RECEIPT: Keep the printed I-901 Payment Confirmation of Payment. You will need it later for proof of payment of the SEVIS fee. All receipts must be confirmed AT LEAST three (3) U.S. government working days before your visa application interview.

1. A passport, which must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the U.S. Be sure there are at least three empty pages in your passport. If needed, request additional pages prior to your visa interview.
2. Form I-20 (sign the form under Item 11) or Form DS-2019 (sign the form at the bottom of page 1)
3. Kutztown University acceptance/admissions letter. 
4. DS-160 Form Nonimmigrant Visa Application confirmation page.
5. Receipt for the DS-160 Form Nonimmigrant Visa Application fee payment.
6. Photo – you must bring one printed photo if your photo upload fails; photo requirements are listed online at travel.state.gov.
7. I-901 Payment Confirmation of the SEVIS fee.
8. Financial evidence that shows you have sufficient funds to cover your tuition and living expenses for one year. Example: Bank statements and scholarship letters. They must meet the requirements for financial evidence. 
9. Any additional information that proves that you will return to your home country after finishing your studies in the U.S. This may include proof of property, list of family members and photos, or other ties to your community.

Remember to remain calm and answer all the Visa Officer’s questions openly and honestly. The visa officer is trying to determine 3 things: 

1. What will you do in the U.S.? 
2. Can you afford to live in the U.S.? 
3. Will you return to your home country upon completion of your program(s)?

BE COMFORTABLE - Get a good night of sleep.
BE CONFIDENT - Smile and give eye-contact.
DO NOT LIE - The officer is trying to determine if you are telling the truth in your answers.
DO NOT MEMORIZE ANSWERS - The officer will see this as a sign that you are trying to lie.
DO NOT ASSUME - If you can’t understand the visa officer it is better to ask them, “Can you repeat that?” or say, “Sorry, I don’t understand the question.”

SAMPLE QUESTIONS:

• What is your U.S. school?
• Where is your U.S. school located?
• Why did you choose to study at this university?
• What is your major in your U.S. university?
• Why are you studying "Choice of Major"?
• How long are you studying in the U.S.?
• Do you really need to study in the U.S.?
• Who will pay for your studies?
• What will you do to improve your English?
• What are you going to do after your finish your studies in the U.S.?
• Do you work hard?
• How many hours do you study in a day?
• Can I see your transcripts?
• Do you have any family in the U.S.? - What do they do?
• Have you been to the US before? - What did you do? Where did you go?
• Where do you want to visit in the U.S.?
• What are your hobbies? What is your favorite movie? Music?
• What is your mother’s / father's name?
• How much is your parents’ salary?
• What does your father / mother do?
• Do your parents support your study in the U.S.? 

Other Helpful Resources

• Travel.State.Gov: Student Visa Process
• NAFSA: 10 Points to Remember When Applying for Your Student Visa
• InternationalStudent.com: F-1 Student Visa