WHAT’S NEXT? A TIMELINE FOR FIRST-YEAR READINESS

Late April

• Apply for your F-1 visa .

Mid-April

• Apply for your I-20

May

June

• Language placement exams emailed to students who wish to take a foreign language

• Incoming students complete their housing application online

• Initial information about student employment available to eligible students

• Send F&M Registrar appropriate AP and IB transcripts

• Incoming student questionnaires regarding academics emailed to incoming students

• Tentative Orientation/Move-in Day schedule available

• Health information form available (Please note: It is a Pennsylvania State Law that all college students living in a dormitory must either receive the meningitis vaccine [quadrivalent vaccine is the CDC and F&M recommended vaccine], or sign a waiver declining the vaccine for “religious or other reasons ” International Student Services works with the wellness center to offer vaccinations to students who are not able to obtain required vaccines in their home countries )

• Math placement exams emailed to students

• Apply for your I-20 and visa (if you have not already done so)

• If attending a US High School, discuss the SEVIS transfer process with your adviser

July

• Students are auto-enrolled in F&M student health insurance plans (information will be sent by email)

• Fall tuition statements available (Early July)

• Pre-Orientation survey sent out to students to assess travel plans

• Arrival Day information available

• Submit completed health records to F&M’s Student Wellness Center (If required vaccinations are not available in your home country, F&M will help you schedule vaccinations when you arrive in Lancaster)

Late July

• Earliest Arrival Date in the US for new F-1 students (30 days before Program Start Date - this date is printed on your I-20) Please note that you are responsible for making your own housing arrangement if you arrive before international student move-in day

• “Liberal Arts & Beyond” summer pre-matriculation course begins virtually for students who have elected to participate

August

• Early August: Fall payment due! Payment instructions will be sent by email

• Apply for on-campus jobs at fandm joinhandshake com

• Registrar’s Office notifies first-year students that transfer credits have been processed

• Room assignment, roommate name and contact information, College House affiliation, and House Dean information emailed to incoming students

• Reach out to your roommate to introduce yourself and get to know them Discuss room specifics and refrigerator/microwave rental

• Updated orientation/move-in details available

• Student campus mailbox information sent to students

• Move-In Day is FINALLY here and MANDATORY International Pre-Orientation begins

• All-student move-in day and remaining roommates arrive

The Form I-20 Procedures and Information

Your first point of business before booking flights or making additional plans is to apply for your Form I-20, which is the Certificate of Eligibility for an F-1 Visa (student visa). International Student Services issue these official immigration documents. You will be required to carry your current I-20 with you every time you travel.

Below, please find detailed instructions to apply for your I-20 You must have this document in hand in order to apply for your visa This application process typically takes place in May and June After you receive the directions, submit your materials as soon as possible!

The typical* F-1 immigration steps are:

1 Apply for your I-20

2 . Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee

3 Schedule and attend your visa interview

*if you are coming directly (within five months) from another U S institution, these steps will vary

Preparing Your I-20 Application

The I-20 Application package will consist of three main items:

• The completed F&M I-20 Application Form

• A copy of the identification page(s) of your passport

• Supporting financial documentation (please read requirements on the I-20 application carefully, and do not submit documents that are older than 6 months)

You will complete the application and upload copies of your documents via the ISS portal (iss fandm edu) Please check your F&M email for an invitation to join the portal

Note: You are required to show proof of funding for ALL FOUR YEARS of your education by bank statement and proof of future income

Please contact International Student Services if you have questions as you prepare your documents

Processing and Receiving Your I-20

We process complete I-20 application packages in the order they are received . We cannot expedite I-20 issuance based on visa appointments Do not schedule your visa interview until you have your I-20 in hand

You will receive your I-20 through your ISS portal Please print and sign your I-20 upon receipt While digital (not wet) signatures are accepted, you do need a paper copy of your I-20 when interviewing for your visa or traveling .

Paying the SEVIS I-901 Fee

For students needing a new SEVIS record, the cost paid (via government website) is $350 as of summer 2023 The fee is paid via fmjfee com You will need details from your I-20 to pay the fee . Canadian citizens do have to pay the SEVIS fee .

Understanding your I-20

• Surname/Primary Name & Given Name: These should match your passport exactly .

• Major 1: For all new students, this should read “Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Other ” After you declare your major, you will receive a new I-20 with your major listed here .

• Earliest Admission Date: The earliest you can enter the United States, always 30 days before your Program Start Date

• Program Start/End Date:

• Start Date is when you are required to move in as well as the first day of International Orientation If you choose to come to the US before your Program Start Date, you are responsible for lodging and meals

• End Date is your expected graduation date

Scheduling & Attending your F-1 Visa Interview

Please visit your country’s US embassy and consulate website . Here you will find the closest city to schedule your interview, current wait times, fees, and processes specific to your country Before scheduling, ensure that your passport will be valid well into the future (at least six months, ideally longer) Canadian citizens do NOT have to obtain a visa stamp in their passport (the I-20 and paid SEVIS fee is enough)

We encourage you to prepare for your visa interview Study in the States has excellent advice on their website, and the F&M ISS office provides a Google doc with tips Be honest, be confident, and be clear that you are only coming to the US to study To obtain an F-1 visa, you must prove that you do not have immigrant intent in the US .

US visas will be valid for different time periods depending on your country of origin Please note that the F-1 visa is only considered the key to get into the US The dates on your SEVIS record and I-20 will dictate how long you can remain in the country Many students will have to renew their F-1 visa during their time at F&M . Visas cannot be renewed within the US, but passports can be renewed from within the U S See