International Student Services
Obtaining an F1 Visa
To come to the United States and study full-time, you must apply for and receive an F-1 student visa.
- You may apply after you are officially accepted to Rowan University and receive your I-20.
- You must make an appointment with your nearest American embassy or consulate office to apply for an F-1 student visa. To locate the American embassy or consulate office nearest you, go to: www.usembassy.gov
It is important that you understand the process for obtaining a student visa. There are many rules. It is important that you follow the rules and be prepared.
- The International Center at Rowan University is available to assist you with information for obtaining your student visa.
- Please refer to information provided by the U.S. Department of State and view the recent video created in 2011.
- Visit StudyInTheStates.dhs.gov for guidance navigating processes as a prospective and current student, including getting your visa.
The Rules
1. Before your visa interview, you must pay the U.S. SEVIS Fee of $200. Be sure to print (and save) the receipt. The receipt is proof that you paid the fee. To learn more about the SEVIS Fee, go to: www.FMJFee.com
2. Apply for your visa as soon as possible! Embassies and consulate offices process many visas. You might have to wait for an appointment. Learn more about the wait time at a specific embassy or consulate office here.
3. The person who decides whether to issue you a visa for study in the U.S. is called a “consul”.
- It is the consul’s job to ensure that he/she only issues a student visa to an applicant who can convince the consul that he/she will return home after completing his/her studies in the U.S.
- According to U.S. law, the consul must view you as someone who plans to remain in the U.S. permanently.
- The consul MUST say, “You are not coming back home when you finish your studies!” Do not be upset when the consul says this to you.
- The NUMBER ONE reason that visas are denied is due to the applicant’s failure to convince the consul that he/she will return home after completing his/her studies in the U.S.
- It is the consul’s job to administer the law impartially. The law applies equally to all people.
- Do not try to negotiate with the consul.
- Do not try to discuss personal matters with the consul.
4. Prepare for your visa interview.
- Make sure that all of your paperwork is in order.
- Learn more about the forms and documents required here.
- Be ready to convince the consul that you will return home permanently after you complete your studies in the U.S.
- Present documents that demonstrate strong social, economic, and/or family ties in your home country. You want to show that these ties are very strong and that they will force you to return home. Do NOT emphasis ties to the U.S. or to family members in the U.S.
- If you have a permanent resident in your home country, present a copy of the deed or lease to your home.
- If your family owns a business, take a letter from the bank describing the business.
- If your family owns property, take a copy of the deed.
- If you have traveled to the U.S. before, emphasize that you returned home.
- If your brother or sister studied in the U.S. and then returned home, take a copy of his or her diploma and a letter from his or her employer.
- If your program of study is in great demand in your home country, take a letter from a prospective employer stating that they are interested in hiring people with degrees like the one you will earn at Rowan University.
- Present documents that demonstrate strong social, economic, and/or family ties in your home country. You want to show that these ties are very strong and that they will force you to return home. Do NOT emphasis ties to the U.S. or to family members in the U.S.
- Be ready to explain the reasons for traveling to the U.S. to study.
- You must have a compelling academic goal or professional objective for studying in the U.S.
- You must be able to prove that you are academically qualified to pursue your academic goal or professional objective.
- You must have a compelling reason to pursue your studies at Rowan University.
- Be ready to answer the following questions:
- Why do you want to study in the U.S.?
- Why are you going to take this program of study?
- Why did you choose Rowan University?
- What career will your studies prepare you for back home?
- Be ready to prove that you have the financial resources necessary to complete your studies.
- Practice your English.
- Answer the consul’s questions clearly and concisely.
- Keep a positive attitude.
5. The earliest the embassy or consulate office will issue your visa is 4 months before the start of your program (the date on your Form 1-20).
IMPORTANT – You must NOT use your student visa to enter the U.S. more than 30 days before the start of your program (the date on your Form I-20).
- If you try to use your student visa to enter the U.S. too early: 1) you may be refused admission to the U.S. or 2) you may be admitted as a B-2 tourist, which prohibits you from attending school!!
