Before we can issue your I-20, you must submit your tuition deposit to secure your place at SPU. Visit your Peacock Applicant Portal to submit your deposit.
After we have confirmed your tuition deposit payment, please allow 5 business days for us to process it. You will then receive an email from the Center for Global Learning with instructions to apply for your I-20.
Once you receive the email, log in to the International Student Portal to begin your I-20 application. You will be asked to submit the following documents:
- Copy of your SPU Acceptance Letter/email. You can download your acceptance from your SPU student portal
- Copy of your passport (biographical page). Ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your intended entry date into the U.S.
- Financial documents demonstrating your ability to cover tuition and living expenses for at least one academic year (e.g., bank statements or scholarship letters). For additional information on SPU’s Cost of Attendance, visit the Enrollment Services website
- SPU Affidavit of Support. Be sure to submit the Affidavit of Support that is most appropriate for your degree level and academic program:
Carefully follow the instructions and submit all required documents through the International Student Portal. Please double-check that your documents are clear and accurate to avoid any delays in processing.
Once your documents have been reviewed and approved, your I-20 will be issued. Your I-20 will be uploaded to the International Student Portal where it will remain available for download.
After receiving your I-20, you must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee. This fee is required to activate your SEVIS record, which is a necessary step before you apply for your F-1 visa. You can pay this fee online at www.fmjfee.com. Be sure to keep the receipt for your visa interview.
With your I-20 and SEVIS I-901 payment receipt, you can now schedule an appointment for your F-1 visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate. Make sure to bring all required documents to your interview, including:
- Your Form I-20
- Valid Passport
- SEVIS fee receipt
- Financial support documents, and
- Admission letter from Saint Peter’s University.
You can apply for the F-1 visa up to 365 days prior to your program start date. Visit the U.S. Department of State website for information on Visa Appointment Wait Times.
If you are a Canadian citizen, you do not need to obtain a visa to enter the U.S. in F-1 student status. However, in order to be admitted into the U.S. under this status, you must present the following documents at the border:
- A valid Form I-20 (for F-1 status)
- Your admission letter from Saint Peter’s University
- Original financial documentation
- Proof of payment for the I-901 SEVIS fee (details about this fee will be provided with your I-20)
- Proof of Canadian citizenship (such as a Canadian passport)
Be sure to have these documents with you to ensure a smooth entry process into the U.S.
Once your F-1 visa has been issued, you are eligible to enter the U.S. up to 30 days before the program start date listed on your I-20. Be sure to carry your I-20, passport, visa, and financial documents when traveling to the U.S.
Upon arrival, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer will inspect your documents and admit you into the country as an F-1 student. Remember to keep your I-20 and other important documents safe throughout your stay in the U.S.
Upon arrival to the U.S., be sure to complete the Contact Information Update form through the International Student Portal. DO NOT complete this form until you are physically present in the U.S. To complete this form correctly, you will need to enter your physical address in the U.S. and you will need to upload the following items:
- Pdf or jpeg of most recent I-94 electronic record (NOT your travel history)
- Pdf or jpeg of your F-1 entry visa (NOT your passport identification page)
- Pdf or jpeg of your passport’s identification page
The Contact Information Update form must be completed immediately upon arrival in the U.S. in order to avoid termination of your SEVIS record.
