Visa Information

The most common types of visas used to study in the United States are the F-1 (student) or J-1 (exchange visitor) visas. The F and J visas are not the only statuses eligible for study in the United States. International students already in the United States under a visa type other than F or J are not required to provide any financial documentation to the University for enrollment purposes but not all visa types are eligible for study in the U.S.! Please review the complete list of visa types eligible for study in the U.S. at this link. If your current status is not listed there, please self-schedule an appointment with an international advisor to discuss your options at go.uncg.edu/isssappointments.

The F-1 visa is best suited for those who intend to come to the U.S. to earn a degree (e.g., study for 2-5 years and earn a diploma). To qualify for an F-1 visa, you must have been extended an offer of admission to a full-time, in-person degree program. You can find more information about the eligibility criteria for the F visa program at the US Department of State website.

The J-1 visa is best suited for those who intend to come to the U.S. for a short-term exchange program (one semester to one academic year) or degree-seekers who are fully funded by a government-sponsored scholarship program such as Fulbright. To qualify for a J-1, you must be offered admission to a full-time, in-person degree program AND funded at a minimum of 75% of your total program cost by a governmental agency (either your home government or the U.S. government funded scholarship program). Find more information about the eligibility criteria for the J visa program here.

Online programs are not eligible for F or J visa sponsorship! If you are interested in an online degree program, you are eligible to enroll remotely from a country outside the United States and no visa is required.

For the most up-to-date information, you can also visit the U.S. Department of State website as well as the instructions at the website of the embassy or consulate where you will apply for a visa.

Be sure to take into consideration visa appointments wait times for the city where your U.S. Consulate is located. Also note that administrative processing times can be considerable for some applicants, so be sure to apply for your visa well in advance of your program start date.

APPLYING FOR YOUR STUDENT/EXCHANGE VISITOR VISA

This section details the necessary steps to apply for your student or exchange visitor visa for the first time. If you are interested in renewing your visa, go to the Renewing your Student/Exchange Visitor Visa tab.

Step 1: Get your form I-20 or DS-2019

Submit the following documents to qualify for an I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1) to apply for your visa. The standard processing time is 5-7 business days from receipt of complete documentation as listed below:

Financial Certificate: This is purely to collect information we need to generate your I-20 form and a means for you to acknowledge UNCG’s required minimum budget for F-1 visa application purposes. It provides a detailed accounting of the total cost of attendance for your first academic year of study at UNCG. As the student, you should complete the appropriate (undergraduate or graduate) financial certificate to provide the data necessary to generate your visa document.
International scholars are not required to submit the financial certificate form – instead, please review the Required minimum budget for international scholars
Bank Statement or Official Letter: Current original bank statement(s) OR official bank letter confirming the current available balance in the account. All documents must meet the following criteria:
- not be older than 6 months at the time of review at UNCG.
- Funds must be available for immediate withdrawal (e.g., checking or savings accounts preferred). Money market or other investment accounts are acceptable but must be accompanied by a letter confirming the maximum you can withdraw from that account annually or the account maturity date
Affidavit of Support: If the bank accounts submitted are not in your name, each statement must be accompanied by the Affidavit of Support for all parties named on the account. You will have your sponsor complete and sign this form. If you are being supported by an account in a company or organization’s name, the Affidavit of Support must be signed by the company or organization’s authorized financial signatory and be accompanied by the company or organization’s stamp/seal. An Affidavit of Support form, by itself, cannot be used to demonstrate financial resources.
Passport Copy: Please submit a copy of the passport biographical page and any valid or expired U.S. visa stamps you may have in your passport.
Mailing your I-20: Effective October 12, 2021, we are permanently permitted to issue electronic versions of the Form I-20 in lieu of shipping the physical copy with wet signature. You may bring a printed copy of the electronic I-20 issued by our office to the U.S. Embassy for your visa appointment; accordingly, UNCG no longer issues physical, paper I-20 forms.

Only official digital copies of the documents outlined above are accepted. You will scan and upload these documents to your admissions application profile:

Undergraduate applicants (Bachelor degrees), go to apply.uncg.edu

Graduate applicants (Post-baccalaureate Certificates, Masters or Doctoral degrees), go to gradapply.uncg.edu.

Please do not send any financial information via email to our office as our server is not secured to protect the transmission of financial information. If you are experiencing any issues with submitting your materials, please contact [email protected] for support.

Step 2: Make a Visa Appointment

To make your visa appointment, you should do the following:
It is very important that you apply for your visa as early as possible. Many consulates/embassies recommend that appointments should be made no more than 120 days from the intended date of travel.

Read this page on paying the I-901 fee and watch the online tutorial found at this link.
Pay your I-901 fee online at this link.
- Note: if you are a citizen of Canada or Bermuda, you are required to pay the fee at least three days before going to a U.S. port of entry. The fee cannot be paid at the port of entry or U.S. Embassy/Consulate.
- Note: if you are transferring schools, extending your program, or applying for an F-2 dependent visa you do not need to pay this fee.
- For online payments: once you have completed the form online, you can submit payment via Visa, Mastercard, or American Express. Print a copy of your receipt and keep it with your other immigration documents. Take this receipt to your visa interview. Online payments must be submitted at least 3 business days before your visa interview.
Read the DS-160: Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application instructions on how to complete your DS-160.
Complete your DS-160 and pay the associated fee. You will need to print your confirmation (the page with the barcode) to take with you to your interview.
- This form requires significant time. Please ensure you complete it in full and accurately. Incomplete submission can result in automatic denial of your visa application.
Males only: Complete and submit the DS-157 Form. It is also available at the U.S. Consulate.

Now that you have paid your SEVIS fee, you can then schedule your visa appointment with the U.S. Consulate nearest you. Again, be sure to take into consideration visa appointments wait times for the city where your U.S. Consulate is located.

Step 3: Attend your Consular Interview Appointment

For a complete list of documentation to take to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate and for helpful tips to prepare for your interview go to the Preparing for Your Consular Interview tab.

Step 4: Review your Returned Visa Foil for Accuracy

Receive your passport containing the F-1/J-1 visa foil in the mail. Check to see that you receive the correct type of visa and that your name and date of birth are correct and match the information in your passport.

To get a list of documents you will need to carry on your person when you travel to the U.S. and get other helpful tips to help you navigate U.S. Customs go to the What to Expect at a U.S. Port of Entry tab.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN A CONSULAR INTERVIEW

Under U.S. law, all applicants for nonimmigrant visas are viewed as intending immigrants until they can convince the Consular official that they are not. The burden of proof falls upon the applicant. You must therefore be able to show that you have reasons for returning to your home country that are stronger than those for remaining in the U.S. “Ties” to your home country are things that bind you to your hometown, homeland, or current place of residence: job, family, financial prospects, property that you own or will inherit, investments, etc.

You will need to bring the following documents to your interview appointment:

A current, valid passport
Form I-20 or DS-2019 signed by UNCG’s International Student Advisor or University Official.
Evidence of financial support. Your proof of support needs to match the year of expenses listed on your I-20/DS-2019. Research Assistants (RA’s) or Teaching Assistants (TA’s) should obtain a letter from their department for the annual amount of the RA or TA award. Funds from your sponsor or personal account should be verified with a current bank statement. It is recommended that the bank statement is no more than two months old. Scholarships should be verified with a letter from your company’s supplying agency.
One or more passport-type photographs.
A nonimmigrant visa application (Form DS-160, available at all U.S. Consular Offices).
A receipt for the SEVIS I-109 fee. Issuance fee charged for visa. Depending on the country of citizenship, applicants may have to pay an issuance fee (also known as visa reciprocity fee).
Other documentation may include evidence of competence in English, of educational attainments (transcripts), police certificates, and an application fee.

If you are a prospective undergraduate student, the interviewing officer may ask about your specific intentions or promise of future employment, family or other relationships, educational objectives, grades, long-range plans, and career prospects in your home country after you return. Each person’s situation is different, and there is not a magic explanation or single document, certificate, or letter, which can guarantee visa issuance. Here are some other tips to help you prepare for your consular interview:

Anticipate that the interview will be conducted in English, not in your native language. One suggestion is to practice English conversation with a native speaker before the interview. If you are coming to the U.S. solely to study intensive English, be prepared to explain how English will be useful for you in your home country.
Do not bring parents or family members with you to the interview. The Consular officer wants to interview you, not your family. A negative impression is created if you are not prepared to speak on your own behalf.
If you are not able to articulate why you will study in a particular program in the U.S., you may not succeed in convincing the Consular officer that you are planning to study, rather than to immigrate. You should also be able to explain how studying in the U.S. relates to your future professional career when you return home.
Keep your answers to the officer’s questions short and to the point. Due to the volume of the applications received, all Consular officers are under considerable time pressure to conduct quick and effective interviews. They must make a decision, for the most part, on the impressions they form during the first minute or two of the interview. Consequently, what you say first and the initial impression you create are critical to your success.
It should be clear to the Consular officer what written documents you are presenting and what they signify. Lengthy written explanations cannot be quickly read and evaluated. Remember that you will have two to three minutes of interview time, if you are lucky.
For students on OPT (Standard and STEM extension): When you attend your consular interview, you’ll need to make it clear to the official interviewing you that your goals in the US are still ultimately academic in nature and that you still intend to return home after you complete your academic goals.

For further information, visit 10 Tips for a Successful Visa Interview.

RENEWING YOUR STUDENT/EXCHANGE VISITOR VISA

If your visa expires while you are in the U.S. (due to a program date extension, or your decision to obtain a second degree), you will need to apply for a new visa if you plan to travel outside the U.S. Note that previous approval for a visa does not guarantee visa renewal.

Step 1: Get a Travel Signature

Before you leave the U.S., you must obtain a travel signature on your most current Form I-20/DS-2019 signed for travel by an International Student Advisor.

F-1 visa holders who are currently enrolled at UNCG will submit the “Overseas Travel Request” in the ISSS Student Portal at this link.

Newly admitted students who are currently in the U.S. under the F-1 status that intend to travel between the end of their current program and the start of their program at UNCG, please follow the instructions to secure a travel authorization on your transfer pending I-20 form which will be provided in your pre-arrival communications from [email protected]

J-1 visa holders must self-schedule a virtual or in-person appointment with an international advisor at go.uncg.edu/isssappointments or submit an email request for a travel authorization to [email protected].

Step 2: Schedule your Visa Appointment

Schedule your visa appointment with the U.S. Consulate nearest you and learn about the requirements of the U.S. consulate in your country of citizenship. Proceed with the application of your student visa by selecting visa application details. Payment of SEVIS fee will be required prior to scheduling your appointment if your SEVIS record has been terminated or closed for any reason.

Step 3: Attend your Consular interview appointment

You will need to bring the following:

A current, valid passport
Latest visa foil
Most recently issued Form I-20 or DS-2019 signed by an International Student Advisor.
Academic Transcript from UNCG and any other U.S. institution you have attended on an F-1/J-1 visa
Printout of course schedule to demonstrate registration for full course of study or (if you are on OPT) proof of employment (job offer letter or verification of employment from your current employer)
Evidence of financial support. Your proof of support needs to match the year of expenses listed on your I-20/DS-2019. Research Assistants (RA’s) or Teaching Assistants (TA’s) should obtain a letter from their department for the annual amount of the RA or TA award. Funds from your sponsor or personal account should be verified with a current bank statement. It is recommended that the bank statement is no more than two months old. Scholarships should be verified with a letter from your company’s supplying agency.
One or more passport-type photographs.
A nonimmigrant visa application (Form DS-160, available at all U.S. Consular Offices).
A receipt for the SEVIS I-109 Fee. Issuance fee charged for visa. Depending on the country of citizenship, applicants may have to pay an issuance fee (also known as visa reciprocity fee).
Other documentation may include evidence of competence in English, of educational attainments (transcripts), police certificates, and an application fee.

THIRD-COUNTRY VISA RENEWAL

It is also possible to apply for a visa in a country that is not your home country; however, this can be costly and time-consuming for the following reasons:

You may be required to apply for a visa to enter that country.
You may need to prove that you have continuously maintained legal status during your time in the U.S. or be sent back to your home country to apply for the visa.

Since refusal in a third country is more likely than at home, students should be prepared with the following documents:

Letter of explanation.
Copy of I-20/ DS-2019.
Copy of passport.
Copy of expired student visa.
Verification of enrollment letter.
Transcripts showing full-time student status.
Letter of invitation from person or organization in the third country.
Financial information showing proof of necessary funds to cover all costs of tuition plus expenses. This can be:
- Letter from department stating the amount of funding you are receiving, and/or
- Letter from another financial sponsor stating the amount they will give you, plus supporting financial documents such as bank statements. (Note that if you are using personal funding you must also provide these supporting documents from your own funds.)

Should you decide to follow this alternative, we highly recommend you contact IPC for an appointment to obtain detailed instructions.

WHAT YOU NEED TO ENTER THE U.S.

Once you have received your visa and booked your plane ticket, you will be required to present the items below as you pass through customs and immigration at the U.S. port of entry. The Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) reserves the right to allow or deny you entry to the U.S. Be sure to have the following items on your person and ready to present to your CBP officer in an organized fashion:

A valid passport with an expiration date at least six months in the future.
Valid F-1/J-1 visa foil in your passport.
Valid I-20/DS-2019 form from UNCG signed by the authorized person. You will need to present the original document, so don’t pack it in your checked luggage.
A paper receipt for the SEVIS I-901 fee.
A copy of your UNCG admission letter
Name and contact information for your Designated School Official, including a 24-hour emergency contact number at the school.

For further information, please visit Arriving at the U.S. Port of Entry: What a Student Can Expect or watch this helpful video.

Transferring Your F/J Visa

Transferring To UNCG

How to Transfer your F/J Visa SEVIS Record to UNCG from Another School

If you are a student at another F-1 or J-1 hosting U.S. institution who is admitted to UNCG, you will need to have your SEVIS record transferred to UNCG.

Transfer In Procedures

Meet Financial and Visa Document Requirements
- After admission to UNCG, upload copies of the following documents to your UNCG application portal:
  - Proof of financial solvency, biographical page of your current passport, F-1 visa, J-1 visa, I-94 record, and I-20 form or DS-2019 form from previous school.
  - If you are a graduate (master’s or doctoral student, your portal is here. If you are an undergraduate your portal is here. If you have trouble uploading your documents, contact [email protected]
Complete Transfer-In Form
- After you have met the financial and visa document requirements, request the transfer-in form from our office.

INTERLINK Transfer Procedures

If you are admitted to UNCG and you have completed the INTERLINK Intensive English Program, in addition to financial and visa documents listed in Transfer-In Procedures, provide our office with a copy of your UNCG admission letter.

If you were conditionally admitted to UNCG and attended INTERLINK, provide our office with a copy of the updated admission letter when you complete INTERLINK.

For questions regarding your UNCG admission after INTERLINK completion, contact Lei Xue ([email protected]).

For questions regarding your SEVIS record transfer from INTERLINK to UNCG please contact [email protected].

All of these documents need to be turned in at least 2 business days prior to any travel before the start date of UNCG’s term.

Special Circumstances

Overseas Travel while in Transfer

If you plan to travel outside of the United States, before your first session start date at UNCG, you must have an I-20 form from UNCG to reenter the U.S. Please contact [email protected] to inform us of your travel plans at the point of admission.

Transfer while Out-of-Status

If you are out of status and wish to transfer your SEVIS record to UNCG please contact an International Advisor at UNCG. The International Student Advisor, at your current school, will be able to tell you if you are out of status.

Transfer Out of UNCG

How to Transfer your F1 SEVIS Record from UNCG to Another School

If your I-20 form is currently associated with UNCG and you want to transfer to another F-1 school in the United States, note that the transfer can only occur at the end of the current term or during a period of non-enrollment in classes (summer or winter break).

If you wish to transfer your SEVIS record to another school after graduating from UNCG, you must do so within 60 calendar days of graduating. Contact us as soon as you plan to transfer to another university to ensure enough time for the proceedings.

Transfer Out Procedures

Gain admission to a new F-1 school and obtain the school’s SEVIS code from a student advisor (D.S.O.) at your new institution.
Submit the transfer out request in the I.S.S.S. Portal
Ensure that you have a zero balance on your student account, and that you have dropped any courses for the following semester.

Please note: We can only transfer your SEVIS record to one institution. The transfer can only take place after the end date of the current UNCG session. Any employment authorization connected to UNCG, including on-campus employment, C.P.T. and O.P.T., will automatically end when UNCG transfers a student’s SEVIS record to another F-1 school.

If your DS-2019 form is currently associated with UNCG and you are transferring to another J1 host school, you must meet with your international advisor for procedures and timelines to transfer your J1 visa record to another J1 host school prior to requesting a SEVIS transfer.