A visa is an entry document that you must apply for at a consulate outside of the United States. This document is added to your passport and serves as permission to request entry at your initial U.S. entry port.
The majority of international students and scholars at OHIO hold either an F-1 or J-1 visa. An F-1 visa allows an academic student to enter the U.S. as a full-time student at an accredited academic institution or language training program. The J-1 visa allows an academic student, typically sponsored by an educational or non-profit institution, to enter the U.S. as a full-time student.
The ISSS team is not able to provide advice on visas other than F or J.
Most international students pursuing language training, or a bachelor, master or doctoral program at OHIO typically apply for F-1 visas.
J-1 visas are given to students who are sponsored by government agencies or universities, often through existing exchange agreements with Ohio University and their home educational institution.
If admitted, students holding other visa types may attend Ohio University. It is the student's responsibility to confirm that university study is appropriate for the visa held.
The ISSS team is not able to advise on visas other than the F or J.
Before you can begin the process of acquiring a visa, you will need a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). You can join a university as a student in F-1 status using an I-20 or in J-1 status using a DS-2019. You will also need a COE for other important steps in the arrival process.
The ISSS team does note create initial immigration documents. If you have not received your COE yet, review the COE Information page to learn more about the process.
Once you have been admitted to the University and complete all of the necessary requirements, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, Graduate College or the Ohio Program of Intensive English (OPIE) will provide you with one of the following Certificate of Eligibility (COE) documents:
After obtaining the appropriate COE document, follow the steps to obtain your visa.
All admitted international students in F-1 and J-1 status are required to pay the United States federal SEVIS I-901 fee upon receipt of their form I-20 (for F-1 students) or DS-2019 (for J-1 students).
Students are required to enter their SEVIS ID number as well as basic biographical information when registering to pay their fee. Information and fee payment information is available on the I-901 Fee page on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement site.
The SEVIS fee is a required fee and proof of fee payment is necessary in order to apply for a visa to enter the United States prior to enrollment at Ohio University.
The DS-160 Application is submitted to the U.S. Department of State. Consular Officers use the information entered on the DS-160 to process the visa application and, combined with a personal interview, determine an applicant’s eligibility for a nonimmigrant visa.
You must schedule your visa interview with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country. For those residing in countries without a US embassy or consulate, you must contact US embassies or consulates in neighboring countries in order to schedule your interview.
Prior to your interview, prepare your interview documents. When you appear for your interview, make sure that you take your documents with you.
As you prepare for your interview, you can also review these resources:
When you appear for your interview, make sure that you take all documents noted in step 4. Additionally, make sure to take any specific documents required by your consular office or the type of visa you are applying for.
After you receive your entry visa, review it carefully to confirm that the information on your visa stamp matches what is on your I-20 or DS-2019 and/or passport.
No. Citizens of Canada and Bermuda are not required to obtain a visa for entry.
No. Your visa must be valid to enter the U.S. Please make note of this when you plan to travel home for breaks or abroad for research.
After you acquire your COE and Visa, you can begin preparing to make your journey to campus. Learn more about preparing for departure and making travel arrangements, what to pack in your luggage and the U.S. Port of Entry process on the Traveling to Campus page.
All international students and scholars are required to complete International Student Orientation. Aside from completing orientation after arriving to campus, there are modules you must complete prior to arriving to campus.