Once you have submitted the ISS and the required documentation, the Center for Global Education will review your documents, and if everything is in order, we will create a SEVIS record for you and issue you an I-20 form. If your financial support does not meet the required amount, you will be asked to find additional funding documentation to support the cost of your attendance. 

It can take up to 1 week to receive your I-20 in your applicant portal. You will be notified of the documentation via email, from either gsa@simmons.edu or ugadm@simmons.edu. 

Please review your I-20 for correct information (name, country, etc.), print it out, and then sign and date it with black ink. The form includes your SEVIS ID number, which is the number in the upper corner above the bar code, (usually starts with an N).

Once you have your I-20, you can then start the visa application process and schedule your interview. 

Before you pay the I-901 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) Fee, you must receive the Form I-20 from the CGE. You will need information from the Form I-20 to pay the fee. The I-901 SEVIS Fee is mandatory and must be paid before you enter the United States. 

In order to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee, you will need to provide your:

• Name, address, date of birth and email address.

• Country of birth and country of citizenship.

• School Code as listed on the Form I-20 “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status.”

• SEVIS Identification Number as listed on the Form I-20

Once you have received your I-20 and paid the SEVIS fee, you will begin the visa application process in your home country. 

Step 1: Complete the DS-160

The first step in applying for a U.S. visa is to complete the online application DS-160.

Access the DS-160 application at the Consular Electronic Application Center website.

Watch an overview of the online application process.

Read Frequently Asked Questions about the DS-160.

Step 2: Schedule a Visa Interview Appointment 

The next step in applying for a U.S. visa is making an appointment at your closest U.S. embassy or consulate. It is generally recommended that you apply for a visa in your home country rather than a third country if possible.

At this appointment you will need to present the following documents:

• Your I-20 form

• The SEVIS fee receipt (I-901)

• Your DS-160 confirmation page

• A copy of your financial support documents

  1. 1. 1. • Evidence that you have sufficient funds to meet the expenses of studying at Simmons (bank statement, scholarship, financial aid award letter)

• A valid passport

• Passport-size photographs (that you uploaded in the DS-160 application)

• Completed required visa application forms (available on the U.S. consular websites.)

Please note that due to new vetting processes, all applicants for F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas will be instructed to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to “public.” You can find more information about this here. Check the website of the U.S. consulate/embassy where you are applying to see if there are other requirements.

An application fee and an interview will also be required. There have been (and continue to be) changes in the visa application process and these changes are usually reflected on the consular websites.

Find the nearest U.S. Consulate or Embassy.

Find the visa appointment wait times at your local consulate.

Step 3: Attend your Visa Interview 

Attend your scheduled visa interview at your U.S. embassy or consulate. Here are 10 points to remember when applying for a non-immigrant visa.

Step 4: Receive and Review Your Visa 

Check the visa in your passport to make sure that all the information on it is correct. If the information is not correct it can only be changed at the embassy or consulate that issued your visa.

Your I-20 should be returned to you. You will need it to enter the U.S.

You are able to arrive 30 days before the Program Start Date listed on your I-20. At Simmons, the start date is typical the first day of the semester.

When you first arrive in the U.S., at your Port of Entry, you will need to go through document inspection with Customs and Border Control (CBP). 

The U.S. CBP Officer will inspect the following documents: 

1. Passport

2. F-1 Visa Stamp 

3. I-20 

4. Financial Documentation 

5. Acceptance letter 

6. I-901 SEVIS Fee Receipt

1. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer will inspect your documents and ask you to state the reason you wish to enter the United States. Remember to say you are a student and be honest above all else! 

2. (Optional - Second Inspection): A more detailed screening process where the CBP officer will ask additional questions and review your documents more thoroughly. Don't panic if you are directed to secondary inspection – it's a routine process for some travelers and does not necessarily indicate any wrongdoing.

3. The CBP officer will stamp your passport and I-20 form, which will serve as proof of your legal entry into the country. You will also be given an Arrival/Departure Record (Form I-94), which you should keep safe for future reference. Proceed to baggage claim!

Provided: 

• Bed and mattress

• Closet

• Desk & chair

• Internet connectivity

• Washer & Dryer (Laundry)

Recommended: 

• Summer & winter clothes 

• Power strip 

• Bathrobe & Towels 

• Umbrella & Raincoat 

• Computer 

• Blankets & Sheets 

• Bathroom Caddy 

• Laundry Bag/basket 

• Cleaning Supplies

• Trash Can 

• Fans 

• Lighting (lamps) 

• Hair dryer 

• Stationery 

• Clothes hangers 

• Shower shoes (flip-flops) 

• Favorite snacks from home country 

• Power adapters

DO NOT BRING: 

• Electric griddle 

• Toaster oven 

• Hot plates 

• Electric heater 

• Extension cords 

• Candles

• Microwave 

• Popcorn popper 

• Hot pot 

• Air conditioner 

• Space heater 

• More than 1000 watts appliances