Visa Information

How to get a student visa

After you are admitted, you will need an F-1 or J-1 Student Visa in order to live and study in the United States. Do not worry—we are here to help you out if you run into any problems. Just contact us at INTLADM@du.edu.

Step 1: Submit Your Required Forms & Bank Documents

• Admission Response Form

  Complete the Admission Response Form in your student status portal and pay your deposit.

  Access the Admission Response Form

• Admitted Student Supplement & Financial Verification Form

  Start by filling out the Admitted Student Supplement & Financial Verification Form and send us your bank documents. For an F-1 Student Visa, you will need to show you can pay for at least the first year of your study at DU.

  If you are applying for a J-1 Visa (through the DS-2019 form), you must show that you can pay for the full duration of your time at DU.

  Download Admitted Student Supplement & Financial Verification Form

• SEVIS Transfer Eligibility Form

  If you're already in the United States, please fill out the Transfer Eligibility Form (if you already have an F-1 Student Visa)

  Download Transfer Eligibility Form

Step 2: Once You Have Your I-20

• Pay the SEVIS fee

  The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is where the United States government maintains information on international students who are visiting for educational purposes. It's where your I-20 and visa information is stored and updated, and you will need to register and pay the SEVIS fee before you can obtain your official student visa. Find more information at the SEVIS website.

  Your SEVIS fee must be paid at least three days before your visa interview.

• Steps
  • Go to fmjfee.com
  • Click Proceed to "I-901 Form & Payment"
  • Select I-20
  • Fill out the page with your personal information
  • Enter DU's School Code: DEN214F00135000
  • Enter the SEVIS Identification Number from your I-20
    • The ID # is in the top left of your I-20, begins with the letter N, and is followed by 10 numbers (e.g. N0123456789)
  • Choose a delivery method.
  • Save a copy of the receipt for your records.

Step 3: Prepare for Your Visa Interview

• Visa Appointment Wait Times

  You must participate in an interview at your local United States Embassy or Consulate. We recommend scheduling this interview as soon as possible, as it takes time to confirm an appointment.  Wait times for a visa interview appointment vary greatly depending on country, time of year, and embassy staff.  You can check for the wait times at your local U.S. Embassy or Consulate at this link.

• Be prepared!

  The officer will treat you as someone who wants to stay in the US permanently. You must show you intend to return to your home country. Demonstrate ties to your home and explain why you want to return after your studies. Bring documents and materials to illustrate this connection–whatever you can think of. You should have an explanation of what you want to study and why you have chosen DU as your temporary home.

• Bring these essential documents
  • Passport: Your passport must be valid for at least six months past the expiration of your I-20.
  • Financial documents: You will need to show that you can pay for the first year of your education.
  • Admission letter
  • I-20 form
  • Educational documents: Bring the documents you submitted with your DU application (transcripts, test scores, etc.)

Other Helpful Links

• 10 Points to Remember When Applying for a Student Visa

  NAFSA, the Association of International Educators, has prepared a helpful list of 10 points to remember when applying for a student visa. At the bottom of the list is a selection of videos available on select U.S. embassy websites.

• More Helpful Links
  • StudyUSA, a leading resource for connecting prospective international students with U.S. universities, provides additional information on the student visa process.
  • Internationalstudent.com, another resource, also provides a detailed guide to the process.