Information for international students

Important Terms

• Credential evaluation
• I-20AB
• F-1 and F-2 Visa Status
• I-94
• I-20 ID
• New graduate and transfer applicants
• Dependents
• What to bring with you

Visa Information

• What is an F-1 visa?
• What do I need to get my F-1 visa?
• What kind of documents can show intent to return to my home country?
• What can you do if your visa request is denied?

Credential Evaluation

Applicants to Lesley University with foreign academic credentials must obtain independent credit evaluations to determine U.S. equivalency. We recommend using the agencies listed below. Please contact the agencies directly for more information about their services. General evaluations are required for admission into graduate programs and course-by-course evaluations are required for admission into adult bachelor's programs. While Lesley requires that applicants use independent credential evaluation agencies, applicants must still submit transcripts and transcript translations to Lesley University to be considered for admission.

Center for Educational Documentation (CED)
World Education Service (WES)
Education Evaluators International, Inc.
Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.
Global Credential Evaluators, Inc.

I-20AB

The I-20AB is the certificate of eligibility used by an accepted student to obtain the F-1 student visa and enter (or re-enter) the United States. Before coming to the United States, the student needs to present this form, with a passport and evidence of financial support at a United States consulate or embassy. If the student is a Canadian citizen, the student is not required to have a passport or a consular visa, and need only present the I-20AB form, with proof of Canadian citizenship, to the immigration officer at the point of entry into the United States. When entering the United States, the accepted applicant presents the passport, visa, and I-20AB to the immigration officer. The I-20AB is endorsed by the officer. The accepted applicant is given an entry permit (I-94) and pages 3-4 of the I-20AB (student copy).

F-1 and F-2 Visa Status

The visa stamped on the passport at the US embassy or consulate overseas is for permission to enter the United States for a specific purpose and period of time. The F-1 visa is a student visa. The F-2 visa may be issued to the spouse or children of a person with an F-1 visa.

I-94

The I-94 is the entry permit issued to all foreign nationals upon their arrival in the United States. It states the individual's port of entry, visa classification, date of arrival, duration of stay, and admission number. This form is a small white card stapled to the passport (and must be kept in the passport). It shows that admission to the United States has been granted for a specific length of time (duration of status) and for a specific purpose. This is not to be confused with the visa. The duration of status (D/S) notation on the I-94 means that the student may stay in the United States as long as she/he is pursuing the educational program she/he was originally authorized to attend and for the period of authorized practical training. The student is allowed an additional 60 days within which to leave the country after finishing his/her studies.

I-20 ID (Student Copy)

This refers to pages 3-4 of the I-20AB endorsed by the immigration official at the port of entry into the United States and is used in all transactions with the immigration office. It has a number written on it which is the student admission number. This number is unique to each student. This form should be kept with the passport, as it will be necessary to show this form during any interaction with the immigration office. The I-20AB (student copy) must be signed by the Lesley University foreign student advisor each time the student leaves the country, to enable the student to return and resume study.

New graduate and transfer applicants

International students who transfer (either in the middle of their academic program or upon completion of the undergraduate program and are directly enrolling in a graduate program without leaving the U.S.) from one U.S. institution to Lesley must obtain and complete a transfer authorization form. Students obtain the form from the Lesley University foreign student advisor in the International Student Services Office of the Office of Student Affairs. The student must have the institution they are transferring from authorize their transfer. (This is necessary to confirm that the student has maintained status and is eligible to transfer; as required by the Code of Federal Regulations, section 8 otherwise noted as 8 CFR 214.2(f)(8)(i).) The form must be completed and returned prior to the issuance of the Form I-20AB from Lesley University.

Dependents

The spouse or children of the F-1 student may enter the United States on an F-2 visa provided that evidence of adequate financial support is provided. Persons on F-2 visas may not accept paid employment under any circumstances.

New international students should bring...

...their passport, I-94 card, and stamped Form I-20 to the International Student Services Office within the first three weeks of classes. Immigration regulations state that "an approved school must keep records containing certain specific information and documents related to each F-1 student..."

What is an F1 visa?

An F-1 visa is a stamp or document placed in your passport at an U.S. Consulate abroad. It was issued when you presented your Form I-20, financial certification, and documents (listed below) that verify your intent to return to your home country upon completion of your degree.

The visa includes the following information:

• The school at which you intend to study
• The date which it expires
• The number of times you can use it to enter the United States

Note: An approval notice from the INS granting a change of status to F-1 is NOT an F-1 visa.

What do I need to get my F-1 visa?

In order to obtain a new F-1 visa, you should contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you intend to apply for the visa and ask about their application requirements.

In most cases, you must present the following documents:

• An application (Form DS-156 which is available at the Embassy or Consulate) and fee
• Form DS-157, a supplement to Form DS-156, must be completed by all male nonimmigrant visa applications between the ages of 16 and 45. Consular officers have also been given the discretion to require the form to be completed by applicants outside this group, on a case-by-case basis
• Your Form I-20 (with endorsement by the International Student Advisor for re-entry) or a new Form I-20
• Documents which show financial resources for at least one year of school
• Your passport
• Two color photographs
• Evidence of your intent to return to your home country upon completion of your studies

What kind of documents can show intent to return to my home country?

While there is no set documentation to indicate your intent to return to your home country, your application for an F-1 visa will more likely be approved if you maintain closer ties to your home country than to the United States.

This can be shown in the following ways:

• Your immediate family members reside in your home country
• You own property and/or maintain a bank account in your home country
• The likelihood of employment at home in your field of study after you complete your degree is great
• You have made frequent visits home (every year or 18 months)
• You have maintained important social ties or membership in cultural organizations at home

What can you do if your visa request is denied?

If your visa application is denied, before you leave the U.S. Embassy or Consulate, obtain an explanation of the specific reason you were denied and ask about re-application procedures. Also, try to obtain the full name of the officer who interviewed you, as well as her/his fax number. The International Student Advisor MAY be able to help you, if you can share this information.