Obtaining Immigration Status
Students
International students must be issued a Form I-20 (degree students) or Form DS-2019 (exchange students) to apply for an F-1 or J-1 student visa or change to F-1 or J-1 status from within the U.S. For Rollins College to issue the Form I-20 or DS-2019, students must complete the Application for Form I-20 or DS-2019 and submit supporting financial documents and a copy of the passport bio page. This form is available in the MyRollins student portal once a student deposits. Students transferring from another U.S. institution must obtain a Form I-20 or DS-2019 from Rollins College.
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Sponsors
If students have a sponsor, they will indicate the sponsor's name in the Application for Form I-20 or DS-2019. Sponsors receive an email notifying them to complete the Sponsor Affidavit of Support.
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Dependents
Students with dependents who qualify for F-2 or J-2 status (legal spouse or children under 21) must submit the Dependent Form I-20 Request Form, along with sufficient bank documentation to cover their estimated expenses.
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Professor, Research Scholar, Short-Term Scholar, Specialist
International visitors to Rollins College may qualify for J-1 status in the above categories with sponsorship from an academic department in which they may either teach, lecture, or perform research. If an academic department plans to sponsor an international visitor in this status, they should follow the Guidelines available under the Scholars page.
Applying for a Student/Scholar Visa at a U.S. Embassy
After acceptance to Rollins College and submitting the Application for Form I-20 or DS-2019 and financial documents, students will receive a Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 to apply for an F-1 or J-1 student visa. Scholars need the Form DS-2019 to apply for a J-1 scholar visa. To prepare for a visa interview, follow these steps:
1. Check your I-20 or DS-2019
Make sure all information on the form is correct. Errors should be reported to the Office of International Student Support. Read the instructions on the form and sign it as required. Note the program start date on the form. This is the date by which students or scholars must enter the U.S. with their I-20 or DS-2019. You may enter up to 30 days prior to this date.
2. Pay I-901 SEVIS Fee
For an initial I-20 or DS-2019, students and scholars must pay the SEVIS fee. The Student and Exchange Visitor Program webpage provides instructions. Once paid, print two copies of the payment confirmation (for the visa appointment and one’s own records.)
3. Schedule visa interview
Although not required, it is best to apply for a student or scholar visa at the U.S. embassy or consulate in one’s home country when possible.
Complete Online Form DS-160 (Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application) and pay processing fee. Taiwanese citizens apply through the American Institute in Taiwan; Canadian students are not required to obtain a visa. Bermudian students only need to obtain an F-1 visa if they will be in the U.S. in F-1 status for a period longer than 180 days. Visa processing time varies by consular post. Questions related to processing a visa should be directed to the embassy or consulate.
Students will need the following are needed:
- Form I-20 or DS-2019
- Valid Passport
- Rollins College acceptance or appointment letter
- Financial documentation
If students have a Form I-20, they will apply for an F-1 visa. If the student or scholar has a Form DS-2019, they will apply for a J-1 visa. If a student or scholar may enter the U.S. before their spouse and/or children, the spouse or child may apply for the F-2 or J-2 dependent visa at the same time.
4. Attend interview
Attend visa interview with required documentation.
If denied a visa, the student or scholar may not have proven to the consular officer that they are eligible for student or scholar status. The denial may be based on failure to prove permanent residence or strong ties to their home country. Visa denials are not permanent and may be reconsidered if one can show further convincing evidence. Contact the Office of International Student Support if denied a visa for assistance with the second application.
If accepted to Rollins College and one has not yet received a Form I-20 or DS-2019 and there is little time before school starts, do not enter the U.S. with a regular B-1/B-2 visitor visa. There is no guarantee that tourist status can be changed to student or scholar status within in the U.S. If already in the U.S. with a visitor's visa, please work with an immigration attorney to change your status.
Keep in mind the following:
- Do NOT enter the U.S. on a visitor visa or under the Visa Waiver Program.
- Only use the I-20 or DS-2019 issued by Rollins College!
- The I-20 or DS-2019 is very important - DO NOT lose it!
Changing to F-1 Status
Students already in the U.S. with another non-immigrant status may apply to the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Service to change their immigration status to F-1. It is recommended that one works with an immigration attorney to prepare and submit the change of status application.
FAQs related to Change of StatusTransferring U.S. Schools
If students are attending another school in the U.S. as an F-1 student or J-1 exchange visitor, they must complete a school transfer procedure to be authorized to attend Rollins College. This immigration transfer procedure is required even if they graduated and are on OPT or Academic Training. It is a notification to the U.S. government that they changed schools.
Deposited students can find the transfer process explained in MyRollins. Immigration transfers must be completed within 15 days of the start of the semester in which the student first enrolls at Rollins.
F-1 student eligibility for transfer:
- Student must be maintaining status at current school.
- Student has been admitted to Rollins College.
- If student completes course of study or OPT, the student is eligible for transfer through the end of their 60-day grace period. Rollins College policy requires the student submit required documentation and be issued a new Form I-20 before end of 60-day grace period.
- Course of study at transfer-in school must begin at next available term or session, which must be no more than 5 months from the end of student's studies at the transfer-out school or OPT.
- Student must be eligible for an I-20 at the transfer-in school.