International
Students Understanding Your Student Visa What is a student visa?
A student visa is a document placed by the U.S. visa officer in your passport
and allows you to enter the U.S. as a student. A visa is very important
at the port of entry. Most of the international students at Juilliard
possess either an F-1 or J-1 student visa. Except for Canadian citizens,
all international students are required to have a student visa to enter
the U.S. Note that your SEVIS I-20 or DS-2019 form is not a visa.
What happens when my student visa expires?
The purpose of a visa is to allow you to enter the U.S. A visa does
not determine how long you may stay in the U.S. Unless you plan to travel
abroad again, you do not need to worry about its expiration once you
are in the U.S. The length of time you may stay in the U.S. is indicated
in section 5 of your I-20 form, or section 3 of your DS-2019, plus a
60-day grace period for F-1 students and 30-day grace period for J-1
students.
When must I renew my student visa?
You need to renew your student visa when you travel abroad and your
current visa has expired or will expire soon. It is highly recommended
that you obtain your visa in your home country. You may also obtain
a visa in the country you are visiting (i.e. "a third country"),
but it may be difficult and a favorable result is not guaranteed. When
you travel to Mexico, Canada, and islands adjacent to the U.S. (except
Cuba) for less than 30 days, it is not required that you have a current
U.S. student visa to re-enter the U.S., provided that you did not
intend to renew your visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in these countries
(i.e. you visit these countries solely for personal pleasure). Also
note that citizens of many countries are required to have a visa to
enter countries named above. Please consult the International Advisement
Office for details before your departure.
Note: International students who have fallen out of status are
not eligible to obtain a visa in a third country. Students approved
for a change of status will need to obtain a student visa when you travel
abroad. An approval notice from the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration
Services (B.C.I.S.) is not a visa.
How do I apply for a student visa? If you are a Canadian citizen you do not need a visa to enter the
U.S.; however, you will be required to present a SEVIS I-20 form (or
DS-2019) when crossing the border, whether it be drive-in or fly-in.
Please be advised that visa processing delays in certain countries are
anticipated due to the new immigration regulations effective January
2003. As it is mandatory that most visa applicants be interviewed by
a visa officer, it is important that you allow enough time (a minimum
of four weeks is suggested) to apply for the visa. Visa interview appointments
are on a first-come-first-served basis. Please visit the U.S.
Department of State Web site for the most updated information on
visa processing. When applying for a visa, you will need to present
all of the following documents:
SEVIS Form I-20 (or DS-2019): Please note that
an I-20 (or DS-2019) is not a visa. An I-20 is a “Certificate
of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status;” and a
DS-2019 is a “Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor
(J-1) Status.” Please read the guidelines on the I-20 (or DS-2019)
before signing your name. Do not separate the I-20 (or DS-2019).
Financial Documentation: This includes supporting
documents (e.g. bank statements, income tax return, Juilliard Financial
Aid Award letter, etc.) which you sent to us earlier for your I-20 (or
DS-2019).
Juilliard Acceptance Letter (new students
only)
A Valid Passport
Visa Application Form
Visa Application Fee
Two Visa Photos (Note the new visa photo requirement)
Other Additional Documents Required by the U.S. Visa
Office in Your Country
