Admitted International Student

Next Steps

After your application is reviewed, you will be able to access your Decision Letter in the Application Portal.

The Decision Letter will provide important information regarding your admission status, potential scholarships, and first-time login details for technology access.

Students who are seeking to earn a degree from SVSU should apply for the F-1 (student) visa.
Guest students (non-degree) who are attending SVSU for one or two semesters only should apply for the J-1 (exchange visitor) visa.

1: Pay Orientation Fee

New international students must pay a non-refundable $150 orientation fee.

Payment must be made within the application portal.

These funds are used for the mandatory international student orientation program and for programming throughout the academic year.

2: Receive I-20 or DS-2019

I-20:

The I-20 is a “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status” which is needed to apply for the F-1 visa at the U.S. Consulate.
Once the $150 orientation fee is received, it typically takes 2-3 business days to create the I-20 and deliver it by email to the admitted student.
Once received, the student must print out the I-20, then sign and date in the appropriate place at bottom of Page 1.

DS-2019:

The DS-2019 is a “Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status”.
Students must receive the original version of the DS-2019 by mail before applying for the J-1 visa.

3: Pay I-901 Fee

The U.S. government requires students to pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee before applying for the F-1 or J-1 visa.

I-901 Fee for F visa: $350
I-901 Fee for J visa: $220

4: Apply for Visa

Submit the DS-160 (Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application) to apply for the F or J visa. Most students will need to visit a U.S. Consulate to attend a visa interview.

Students should view the U.S. Department of State visa website to check the Visa Appointment Wait Time at the nearest U.S. Consulate.

Read this Study in the States article for advice on how to prepare for your student visa interview.

Please use the Visa Update Form to inform us about the outcome of your visa interview (approved or denied).

5. Plan for Arrival

Activate your SVSU account using the first-time login details from your Decision Letter.

Submit your on-campus housing contract, if you plan to live on-campus.

Book your flight to MBS Airport on the appropriate dates (see table below) and fill out the Pre-Arrival Form. New F-1 students can arrive in the U.S. no more than 30 days before the program start date listed on the I-20.

Important Semester Dates

Winter 2023

Suggested Arrival - Tuesday, January 3, 2023
Orientation - January 4 -6
First Day of Classes - January 9

**Please note that the university will be closed from December 23 through January 2 for winter break.**