Applying for a U.S. Student Visa
- Sign the front page of your I-20 and contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for an F-1 student visa appointment.
- Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee. The SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt will serve as proof of your payment.
- Obtain and complete a student visa application form DS-160. Please note: It is important to have any fees you need to pay with you when you go to the Embassy/Consulate.
- Go to the embassy or consulate or follow the mailing instructions given by the embassy or consulate to apply for a student visa. Along with the completed visa application, you must also bring or mail the following items:
- Original I-20 form
- Rockhurst letter of admission
- Nonrefundable visa application fee (See payment instructions on the application form.)
- A passport valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay in the U.S.
- Original school transcripts and public examination certificates, including a student copy of your TOEFL, iTEP, GMAT or GRE score report, if applicable
- Original financial affidavit including evidence that you or your sponsor has had this money in deposits for a reasonable amount of time
- Any evidence that demonstrates strong ties to your country or any other residence outside of the U.S.
- All other documents listed on the visa application
You may find the following tips to be useful when applying for a student visa:
- You must be honest when completing your visa application.
- You must prove that you have sufficient money to cover the entire cost of your education during your first year of study, and adequate funds for each subsequent year of study. You should provide as much financial documentation as possible to the embassy or consulate (such as detailed bank statements, property records, letters from you or your parent’s employers, etc.).
- You must have a clear educational goal in mind when you apply for a visa. It is important for you to know about Rockhurst. Read the information we have sent you. If you have any questions, contact us. The consular official will be looking for specific information about why you decided to attend RU. In addition, you must have a clear employment objective when you return to your home country.
- If the consular official believes that it is your intent to immigrate to the U.S. rather than return to your country after your studies are completed, your visa will be denied. This is one of the major reasons for visa denials.
You should not be discouraged if you are denied a visa. If you are denied a visa, the consular official will notify you in writing of the specific reason. You then should reapply for a student visa when you can submit the needed items or documentation.
Students in F-1 status have certain privileges and obligations under the regulations of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This document outlines the most important of these rights and responsibilities.
Immigration Documents
Passport
Passports, Visas, and Arrival-Departure Records (Form I-94) are official travel documents that foreign citizens coming to the United States must have in their possession to show their country of citizenship and legal status in the U.S. We encourage students to make a copy of their passport biographic page, their U.S. visa and their Form I-94 as soon as possible after their arrival in the U.S.
If you are an international student temporarily in the United States, and you lose your U.S. visa, you can remain for the duration of your authorized stay, as shown on your Arrival-Departure Record (Form I-94). You will need a valid passport to depart the United States and to enter another country. Your I-94 is needed as you depart the U.S., to document that you are departing by the required date. If your passport with your I-94 are lost or stolen, you must get them replaced immediately. There are a number of steps you need to take as follows:
Police Report
Go to the local police station and report your document(s) lost or stolen. If available, you will need to provide copies of the original documents. You will be issued a police report detailing the incident. Don’t forget to make an extra copy of the report for your own records.
Report your Passport Lost/Stolen to Your Embassy
Contact the local Embassy or consular section for the country of your citizenship, for information on the procedure to replace a lost or stolen passport. Most countries have Embassy Web Siteswhere you can contact them for further information.
Report your Visa Lost/Stolen to the U.S. Embassy Abroad
Fax the Consular Section or Consulate General at the Embassy abroad that issued your visa to report it lost/stolen. Go to the Embassy Consular Section Website to locate the Fax number and contact information. Specifically, state whether the visa was lost or stolen. Be sure to include your full name, date of birth, place of birth, address in the U.S., and email address (if available). If you have a copy of the passport or visa, fax it to the Embassy or consular section. Otherwise, if known, report the category of visa and the passport number from the lost/stolen visa. If you have already reported your visa lost/stolen to the U.S. Embassy abroad, and then you later find your misplaced visa, please note that the visas will be invalid for future travel to the U.S, and you must apply in person at the Embassy or Consulate abroad for a new visa.
Applying for a Replacement United States Visa
Lost/stolen U.S. visas cannot be replaced in the United States. For replacement of a visa, you must apply in person at an Embassy or Consulate abroad. When applying for the replacement of a visa, you will need to provide a written account documenting the loss of your passport and visa. Include a copy of the police report.
USCIS Form I-20
Read and clearly understand the information on USCIS Form I-20. The Director of International Student Services can issue a replacement I-20 if yours is lost, damaged, or stolen. Reprinted I-20s are tracked in SEVIS by the Department of Homeland Security, so you should request a replacement only if your I-20 has been lost, stolen, or damaged.
If you need an updated I-20 because the information in the current document has changed-such as a program extension, change of funding, change of degree level, etc., please contact the Director of International Student Services.
Procedure for Requesting a Replacement I-20:
- To replace a lost, stolen, or damaged I-20, please fill out the online Document Request Form.
- Allow 3 business days for processing.
- You will receive an email from the Director of International Student Services when your document is ready for pickup
If you are travelling without an I-20, the Border Official may suggest you enter the U.S. in tourist status instead of granting the I-515. Under no circumstances should you enter the U.S. in tourist status. Tourist status does not allow enrollment in courses or employment. If you enter in tourist status and attend classes, you will be in violation of your immigration status. Changing from tourist status back to F-1 is time-consuming and expensive.
USCIS Form I-94
Foreign visitors to the U.S. arriving via air or sea no longer need to complete paper Customs and Border Protection Form I-94 or I-94W. Those who need to prove their legal-visitor status—to employers, schools/universities or government agencies—can access their CBP arrival/departure record information online. You may access the information here at Department of Homeland Security.
I-20 Extension Request
If a student needs more time than indicated on their I-20; they must request an I-20 extension BEFORE the I-20 program end date. The I-20 Extension Form can be found in the "Forms" section and will need to be emailed to the Director of International Student Services.
Registration, Attendance and Course Load
Full Course Load Minimum Requirements
An international student may not drop below a full-time course load unless authorized in advance by the Director of International Student Services. A student who drops below a full course of study without prior authorization is considered to be out of status.
Credit Hours Required to Complete Each Semester
- Undergraduate or Undergraduate Certificate: 12 credit hours
- Graduate or Graduate Certificate: 9 credit hours
*Only 3 hours of internet-based courses count towards your full-time enrollment requirement. The rest of the hours must come from traditional courses.
*Failure of a course due to non-attendance or failure to enroll due to academic suspension, dishonesty or other means of expulsion may result in an I-20 termination
Dropping Below Full-time Course Load
Students may be authorized to drop below full-time by the Director for International Student Services for these reasons only:
- Illness or Medical Condition: students must provide medical documentation from a licensed Medical Doctor, Doctor of Osteopathy, or Clinical Psychologist
- Academic Difficulties: including improper course level placement, initial difficulty with reading requirements, initial difficulty with the English language, unfamiliarity with U.S. teaching methods
- To Complete Course of Study in Current Term: used in a student's final term if he/she can complete the program with fewer classes (must be enrolled in at least one required class)
*You can find the formal request for this in the "Forms" section labeled "Reduced Course Load". This is to be filled out fully and emailed to the Director of International Student Services IMMEDIATELY from when the student is aware that it is needed. If it is due to a medical condition, the student will need to provide medical proof (please inquire with the Disability Resource Center should you need assistance on proper medical evidence. It should not be evidence that violates student privacy).
Summer Session Enrollment
International students are not required to enroll during the annual summer vacation break, unless they are issued a Form I-20 or begin their initial program of study with the summer session as noted on the Form I-20 (F-1). In this case, a student beginning his/her academic program with the summer session must enroll full-time (6 credit hours). These students will continue to be required to attend full-time throughout the subsequent fall/winter terms.
Housing Policy
University Break Housing Policy
In the interest of security, staffing and energy conservation, residence hall facilities may close during winter and spring breaks. THV and OCH will remain open. Failure to be out of the residence hall at the designated break closing time will result in a monetary fine. Room payments do not cover closing periods, so a daily rate will be charged for any break housing. Students desiring to stay over breaks must register with the Office of Residence Life, Massman 4. Failure to register to remain over a break period by the stated deadline may result in a surcharge added to the cost of the break housing charge, or denial due to lack of space or staffing.
Food Service during Break Housing
There is generally no food service offered during fall, Thanksgiving, winter, Easter or spring break. If food service is offered hours and eating locations are limited. Dining services will send an email outlining times of service and available dining location. You may only use your flex points or declining balance points during break housing. Please use careful consideration in using your flex points or declining balance points during the semester so that you have balances available during break periods.
Travel
Within the U.S.
You may travel freely within the United States provided you maintain your lawful F-1 status and have your valid passport in your possession (although not required to travel in the U.S., many students also bring their I-20).
Outside the U.S.
You may leave the U.S. at any time. You may return to the U.S. provided you have 1) a valid passport containing an unexpired F-1 visa and 2) a new I-20 or one properly endorsed for re-entry. Check with the Director of International Student Services 3 weeks before travel.
Returning to RU
Three weeks before departing the U.S., take your I-20 and passport to the Director of International Services in Massman 3 and request travel authorization. Please allow a minimum three-day processing time.
Returning to a Different School
You must obtain a new I-20 from your new school before you attempt to re-enter the U.S. Entering this country using an I-20 from a school you do not plan to attend immediately can cause serious immigration problems.
Length of Time You May Remain in the United States
You may study in your present educational program for the time allowed on your I-20. If you need additional time to complete your program and meet certain eligibility requirements, you may apply for an "extension" of your program 30 days before the I-20 end date. We cannot extend an I-20 after the program end date.
Change of Study Program
If you complete one program and wish to continue your studies in another program at the same school, you are responsible to request a new I-20 which will reflect your new program of study. You must do this within 60 days of completion of your studies.
Coursework at a Different School
If you wish to obtain a degree or certificate from your current school, but want to take courses temporarily at a different school, you should consult with International Services to determine if any special procedures must be followed to authorize this study.
Transfer to a different School
If you wish to cease study at RU and transfer to a different school, you must:
- Consult with The Director of International Student Services before you transfer
- Obtain a new I-20 from the school you wish to attend
Completion of Degree Requirements
Upon completion of degree requirements, you will receive a 60-day grace period. Exceeding your stay in the U.S. past the grace period may result in an accrual of unlawful presence. You have the right to any of the following:
- Apply for Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (if eligible)
- Apply for a different visa category
- Change to a different program of study
- Return Home