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Immigration Documents
Issuance of the Form I-20
Most non-immigrant students enter the United States with a visa designated "F-1" (student) and, after entering the US on this visa, are said to have "F-1 Student" status. To apply for an F-1 visa a student needs a US immigration document called a Certificate of Eligibility, or Form I-20, issued by the academic institution the student will attend. Before issuing a Form I-20, the academic institution (Bradley University) is required by federal regulations to verify information regarding the student's academic eligibility, English language proficiency, and financial ability. An I-20 form will be signed and mailed by the Graduate School to those students who have been accepted for admission and have documented their financial ability. Determination of eligibility for the I-20 is made by the Graduate School after review of the documentation.
Issuance of the Form I-20 for Spouse and Dependents
If you intend to bring your spouse and/or children with you when you enter the US, you need to inform the Graduate School of your intentions. You will notice on the Information Side of the Bradley University Financial Information and Certification form that documentation for the additional expenses of your family is required. We estimated the additional expenses of a spouse to be $300 per month or $3,600 per year; each child is estimated to increase your expenses by an additional $200 per month or $2,400 per year. Your sponsor's affidavit of support and bank statement need to include these additional expenses.
In addition, the front side of the Bradley University Financial Information and Certification form asks you to provide for each dependent their name, country of birth, date of birth, and relationship to you. We are required to provide this information on your I-20 form in order for you to apply for an F-2 visa for your dependents.
If you intend to bring your family later, i.e., after you have been in the US for awhile, please see the Multicultural Student Service Office at Bradley University for an I-20 that can be sent to your family. You will be required to document your sponsor's ability to cover the expenses of your family, as described above.
Use of the Form I-20
After receiving the I-20, the student can apply for F-1 status (visa) at the nearest US Embassy or Consulate Office. You are required to have a valid passport before applying for a visa. The F-1 "student copy" is to be carried by the student at all times. if you travel outside the United States for any reason, you will need to have your copy of the I-20 form signed prior to your travel by the Multicultural Student Services Office at Bradley University.
If you are applying for admission from within the US and holding another visa status, you may choose to remain on your current visa status (provided it is still valid), or you may apply to change your status to that of F-1 (student). In order to apply to the USCIS for a change of status, you must first obtain the I-20 form from the Graduate School by meeting all the criteria described above. Once you have obtained the I-20 form, we recommend that you make an appointment with the Bradley University Multicultural Student Services Office. They will advise you of procedures, forms and documentation required by the USCIS to submit an application for a Change of Status.
Visa Application Process
As part of the F-1 visa application process, the US government requires evidence of your qualifications to enter the US as a non-immigrant student. We suggest that you ask the US Embassy or Consulate in your country to provide you with instructions and the recommended documents you should present at your interview with the visa issuing officer.
Embassies and consulates are expected to determine that each visa applicant is fully eligible to enter the US. You will be expected to provide evidence of your English language proficiency by presenting your TOEFL score and demonstrating your ability to communicate in English. You will be required to present your academic credentials, your letter of acceptance and other items such as GRE or GMAT score reports, if applicable. You will be required to document that you have the financial resources to cover your expenses while studying in the US. In addition, and perhaps of most importance, you are required to demonstrate your intention to return to your country after completing your program of study. This determination is made on an individual basis and may be based on many factors including evidence of strong family, financial or employment ties to your country.
Form I-94: Arrival and Departure Record
The I-94 form is a small white card that is given to you upon arrival in the US and stapled in your passport. You will note when examining it that "I-94" is printed on the card. It indicates your visa category and contains an eleven-digit identification number called the admission number. The USCIS uses this number to track your arrival in and departure from the country. The I-94 also determines how long you are permitted to stay in the US. If there is a date written in the upper right hand corner of this form, you must apply to extend your stay or leave the US within 60 days of that date.
For those with i-94's indicating the notation "D/S" (duration of status), you are considered eligible to remain in the US in student status for the length of your program, as designated by the date on your I-20 form (#5), provided you "maintain status." Maintaining status means following the rules and regulations for F-1 students as written on page 4 of your I-20 and explained in detail by the Multicultural Student Services Office during orientation. You have 60 days beyond that date to depart from the US.
If this card is lost, you must apply immediately to the USCIS for a replacement document. See the Multicultural Students Services office for their advice and recommendations.
Passport
Your passport must be valid at all times. If your passport expires while you are in the US, you must contact the embassy or consulate of your home country immediately to make arrangements to have your passport extended. Please be aware of the date your passport expires.