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Student Visa

Applying for Student Visa

You will need your I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant F-1 Student Status) to obtain your visa. Please follow the steps below in applying for the F-1 Student Visa in your home country.

  • Read the I-20 carefully and review your personal information (date of birth in mm/dd/yyyy format, citizenship, etc.) for mistakes. If you find any errors, contact the Office of International Education at oie@uwgb.edu. Once you familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations that govern the F-1 Student Visa, sign and date the "Student Attestation" section of the I-20 in blue ink.
  • Pay the  SEVIS I-901 Fee . Please notify the Office of International Education at oie@uwgb.edu as soon as this step is completed. 
  • Contact the United States Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence to setup a visa appointment. Please follow the procedures exactly how the embassy/consulate indicates. It is to your advantage to apply as soon as you have your I-20. Note, Canadian students do not need a visa and may skip this step.
  • Attend the Visa appointment with required documents (DS-160, Valid I-20 from UWGB, Valid passport, SEVIS I-901 receipt, at least two passport-style photographs, proof you have permanent residence outside the U.S., current and original financial documentation)
  • If you are unable to obtain your F-1 visa and/or enter the United States prior to the mandatory orientation, you must contact the Office of International Education (OIE) at UW-Green Bay immediately.
    • DO NOT enter the United States with a Tourist or Business Visa (B-1 or B-2) as they prohibit academic study and you could be refused permission to stay in the U.S.
    • DO NOT enter the United States without a valid visa as you will not be permitted to change status within the U.S.
    • DO NOT enter the U.S. with an I-20 from another US School as you are legally obligated to attend the school that issued your I-20 for a minimum of one academic term.
  • Please note if you are a transfer student from another US university, please check with the OIE staff about your visa needs and updated I-20.