Incoming International Students: Visa & Arrival

Secure an F1 Visa

To apply for an F-1 visa, every student must have a Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status. You must apply for international student admission at Southeastern in order to obtain an I-20.
After receiving an I-20, students should pay the required I-901 SEVIS Fee established by the Department of Homeland Security. Students must pay this fee prior to visa appointments at the US embassy. Pay the fee online through the SEVIS Fee Processing Website.
International students should apply for an F-1 visa as soon as possible after receiving their I-20. The process, application, and required documents are outlined on the US Department of State website.
Most applicants for non-immigrant visas are now required to have a personal interview. As a result of appointment wait times, it can take longer to get a visa. As of August 1, 2003, all persons in F and J status are included in the US government’s Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and all visa documents are issued through SEVIS.
In order to maintain F-1 visa status and keep one’s SEVIS record up to date, students must provide their DSO with timely information and abide by the following requirements:
- Enroll in full-time, in-person courses every Fall and Spring semester. (DMin and EdD students must enroll in-person every Winter and Summer.)
- Consult with the DSO before dropping below a full course of study for any reason.
- Only engage in on-campus work at a maximum of 20 hours per week while school is in session. Report all work to the DSO.
- Abstain from off-campus work of any kind unless authorized in advance by USCIS for CPT, OPT, or Severe Economic Hardship.
- Abide by the aggregate unemployment rules while on post-completion OPT.
- Ensure that F-2 dependent spouses and children do not work in the U.S. under any circumstances.
- Ensure that F-2 spouses do not engage in full-time study, though part-time study is permitted.
- Keep one’s passport valid, renewing it within no less than 7 months of expiration.
- Report a phone number or change of address to the DSO within 10 days of the change.
- Notify the DSO concerning any of the following:
  
  Changes to academic status or program of study.
  
  Need for program extensions.
  
  Intent to transfer to another institution.
  
  Plans to travel outside the United States.
  
  Application for a change of nonimmigrant status.
  
  Approval of an adjustment of status to an immigrant status.
  
  Changes in dependent status.
- Abide by rules requiring disclosure of information and prohibition of criminal activity.
- Abide by the F-1 grace period rules.

Choose a Place to Live

International students may choose to live either on campus or off campus. On-campus housing options are available for both individual students and families. Student housing information, rates, and application details can be found on the college and seminary housing webpages.

Students who will not have access to a personal vehicle are strongly encouraged to choose housing within walking distance of campus. Convenient options include McDowell, Fletcher, the Duplexes, and the residence halls.

Transport Money Safely

This matter can be difficult, especially if your country has strict regulations about taking funds abroad. Check with your bank’s foreign exchange department when you are getting your financial support documentation in order, and make the necessary arrangements to bring sufficient funds with you and transfer other needed funds.

Arrange a convenient way to bring funds into the U.S. or to have them transferred efficiently to your American bank account once you open one (as soon as possible after your arrival). You should bring sufficient funds with you in U.S. currency and traveler’s checks to get through the first few weeks while your account is being opened and your bank is clearing bank drafts. It is suggested that you carry a recognized credit card (Visa or MasterCard, for example), and (A) at least two hundred dollars if single, or (B) five hundred dollars if married: one hundred in cash and the rest in traveler’s checks. Bring the rest of your money in traveler’s checks or a bank check. Be sure that bank drafts are payable to you personally and are made out in U.S. dollars, drawn on a U.S. bank. When traveling it is helpful to have a few one-dollar ($1) bills for small needs, and quarters (25 cent pieces) for telephone calls. Do not carry large amounts of cash.

If you arrive at Southeastern less than a month before registration and have not paid fees ahead of time from your own country, you will need to have access to sufficient funds (such as traveler’s checks) to pay in full your first semester tuition at registration and pay for your accommodations, etc. Remember, you cannot count on being able to establish a bank account immediately and have quick access to funds.

Prepare for Arrival

Getting through U.S. Immigration and Customs can be a challenging experience. Allow approximately two hours for the process, though the time could vary. Make contact with us ahead of time so that we can be of help when you get to the Wake Forest area and can pray for you as you travel.

Secure an F1 Visa

Obtain a Form I-20

Pay the SEVIS Fee

Apply for a Visa

Schedule an Interview

Learn the F-1 Visa Requirements

Choose a Place to Live

Prepare for Arrival