Application for the Visa Document

F-1 Visa

ISSA must provide the student with an I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility) that is used to obtain the F-1 visa. ISSA is required to determine if students have enough financial resources to attend school and pay for their living expenses while attending school without resorting to illegal employment or relying on public funds. 

The F-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa; therefore, students must prove to the U.S. consulate that they have ties to their home country and will not remain in the U.S. upon completion of their program.

Dependents (spouse and children) can also obtain an I-20 for F-2 status. F-2 dependents may not work under any circumstances.

F-2 children may attend kindergarten through high school full-time. F-2 children and spouses may attend college part-time only. 

What are the differences between F-1 and J-1 Status?

Students in J-1 status may be subject to what is referred to as the "two-year home residency requirement" or subject to 212(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The two-year home residency requirement means that those individuals must return home for two years before applying for the H, L, or permanent residency visas. In addition, those subject to the two-year home residency requirement cannot change status to another within the U.S. A J-1 becomes subject to 212(e) by coming from a country and studying a field on the skills list, being sponsored by the U.S. government or the home country government or studying in a program for graduate medical education. Dependents in J-2 status may apply for work permission and go to school part-time or full-time. 

More information F-1 vs. J-1 Student can be found at our website.

 

Where can I find the Penn State Transfer-In Form or school code? 

SEVIS transfer is a two-step process.  A student must be approved to receive an I-20 or DS-2019 from the transfer-in school. For Penn State, this requires approval of the New Student Visa Documentation Process in iStart Links to an external site.. A student must also complete a transfer-out process with their current school. The transfer-out date is determined by the student. 

The SEVIS School Code for Pennsylvania State University is provided upon approval of the iStart process.

 

When can I get my I-20 or DS-2019? 

Once a student submits the New Student Visa Documentation Process in iStart, it may take a Pre-Arrival Adviser up to 3 weeks to review the file and issue the I-20 or DS-2019. Peak processing time is April through July. Additional time for review may be necessary.

 

What is a Financial Guarantee?  

To be issued an I-20 you must provide current proof of finances for the first year and provide documentation for how your educational expenses will be supported in all succeeding years at Penn State. To be issued a DS-2019 you must provide proof of financing for the entire length of the program. A complete explanation of the requirements is listed on our website.