Printer FriendlyApplying for a U.S.VISA
Once you are accepted to UML and the University has received both your financial certification documents and international student fee, documents (I-20 or DS-2019 forms) will be sent to you so you may begin the visa application process.
It is usually necessary for non-U.S. citizens to have visas to enter the United States. Most foreign nationals entering the United States to study should have STUDENT (F-1) or EXCHANGE VISITOR (J-1) visas in their passports. Assuming your application for a visa is successful, immigration authorities may place the Form I-20 or DS-2019 that you presented at the time of visa application in a sealed envelope for presentation when you enter the United States. If that is the case, the envelope should remain sealed until opened by the immigration official at the U.S. border. Financial documentation also may be placed in this envelope.
If you will need the original documents for any other purpose, please take care of those matters before submitting your visa application.
If you have previously studied in the United States and you have a valid visa in the appropriate category (F-1 or J-1), you do not need to apply for a new visa unless you did not obey the rules of that visa status. In this case, even if your visa has not expired, you will need to obtain a new visa. If you need a new visa because of violations of regulations, please contact us before you submit your application.
Visa applications are made at U. S. consulates or consular sections of U.S. embassies closest to an individual's place of residence. To apply for a visa you must have:
• A valid passport OR acceptable travel document
• Proof that you are the person identified by the passport
• Required photographs (Please note that the photographs required for a visa application are different than passport photographs. When having pictures take for your visa application, make sure the photographs meet the visa requirements.)
• Funds for any required fees
• Proof of prior education (transcript, diploma, etc.)
• A form I-20 (for F-1 visa) or DS-2019 (for J-1 visa) issued by the school you are planning to attend
• Proof of admission to that institution (letter of acceptance)
• Proof that you have sufficient funds to study
You should be prepared to demonstrate that you have close ties to your home country and, as you are applying for a non-immigrant visa, that you have full intention of returning home after you complete your studies.
VISA Denial
The most frequent reason for visa denial is the inability of the applicant to convince the consular officer that he/she is not planning to remain in the United States. Please be aware that if you are denied a visa based on the fact that it is assumed that you will not be returning to your home country, there is nothing we can do to assist you.
You should be prepared to answer questions about any previous trips made to the United States. You may be asked to prove that you did not violate immigration law during these trips and that you did not stay here longer than allowed. If you have previously been in the United States as a student and no longer have a valid visa, you may be asked to prove you maintained a legal student status during your prior time here. Transcripts from institutions in the United States will be helpful.
If you are applying for a visa anywhere other than your home country, the application process will be much more complicated and difficult.
What You Should Not Do
If you are from a country that has a visa waiver program with the United States and you are planning to study here, do not come to the U.S. in this manner. You will create enormous problems for yourself and may very well be refused entry.
If you are planning to go to a school other than the UMass Lowell, do not use our I-20/DS-2019 to apply for a visa. For those coming to the United States to study for the first time, the school indicated on the visa is the school the person must attend. For those who have previously studied in the U.S. and who have valid visas, this requirement is waived.
Do not come to the United States on a tourist or business visa if you are planning to study here. From time to time, students choose to come here using existing tourist/business visas or choose to apply for these, rather than student visas, and use these types of visas to enter the United States. If you do not have an appropriate visa, you can be denied entry to the United States or, even if entry is successful, can be told to leave at a later date.