Coming to Clark

The ISSO issues two different kinds of visa documents (or “certificates of eligibility”) to students:

• Form I-20 for F-1 students
• Form DS-2019 for J-1 students.

A visa is a form that is glued or stamped in your passport by a U.S. consulate outside the United States. You need a visa to request permission to enter the United States for a particular reason, such as full-time study. Even if you already have another U.S. visa such as a B-1/B-2 visitor visa, you need an F-1 or J-1 visa to study full-time at a university.

Canadian Citizens: If you are a citizen of Canada, you will typically not need a visa to enter the U.S. However, you will need a Form DS-2019 or I-20 from the ISSO, and all rules for maintaining lawful status in the U.S. during your stay still apply.

F-1 and J-1 students are admitted to the United States for duration of status. As Study in the States explains: “As an international student in the United States, you have a certain amount of time to arrive in the country, complete your studies, and return to your home country. Understanding the length of time you are permitted to be in the United States is a very important part of maintaining your status. When you arrive at a U.S. port of entry, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer will provide you with an admission stamp that will list the date in which you must depart the United States. As an F-1 student, you will most likely have duration of status (D/S) listed on your admission stamp. D/S means you may remain in the United States so long as you maintain your nonimmigrant student status.”

Please refer to ISSO guidance for maintaining your valid F-1 or J-1 status.

Most international students come to the U.S. in F-1 student status. If you have been accepted to a full-time undergraduate and graduate program, certificate, or English-language programs, Clark University will sponsor your F-1 visas status. F-1 students cannot study part time.

F-1 students are permitted to bring a spouse and unmarried minor child under 21 with them on F-2 dependent visas. You will need to demonstrate that you have sufficient resources to support your dependents during your stay. You can find more information on work and study rules for F-2 dependents here.

In some cases, students may be eligible for J-1 student status. The ISSO will make a determination regarding the most appropriate visa category for you after you complete the International Student Form in Clark’s application system.

The J-1 student category is part of the U.S. Department of State Exchange Visitor Program and has strict rules about who qualifies for this visa category. The J-1 category is designated for exchange visitors, recipients of U.S. or home country scholarships requiring J-1 status, and students who are receiving most of their funding from a government, university, or other non-personal or family source.

J-1 students are permitted to bring a spouse and unmarried minor child under 21 with them on J-2 dependent visas. You will need to demonstrate that you have sufficient resources to support your dependents during your stay. You can find more information on work and study rules for J-2 dependents here.

To qualify for a Form I-20 or DS-2019 from Clark, you must receive an offer of admission and pay your enrollment deposit confirming your plans to attend Clark. Please check with your admissions counselor for more information on the process to submit your deposit and any important deadlines.

Please read through this information carefully. Failure to submit the correct documents in a timely fashion could delay the issuance of your I-20 or DS-2019.

After you pay your enrollment deposit, you will receive an email with instructions on how to initiate a request for your student visa document through the ISSO Portal. Please pay attention to any deadlines in order to receive your documents in time to apply for a student visa.

If you are currently enrolled at another school in the U.S. with F-1 or J-1 student status and have a valid Form I-20 or DS-2019, you may be eligible to transfer your student status to Clark.

• When setting up your profile on the ISSO portal, complete the “Transfer In” request to facilitate the transfer of your student record from your previous school.

You are required to demonstrate that you have enough financial resources to cover the estimated costs for your first academic year of study. These costs include tuition, fees, health insurance, living expenses, and support for any dependents who are coming with you. While you are only required to show that you have financial resources for one academic year, it is essential that you plan your finances carefully for the duration of your program. Obtaining additional funding after your arrival is not guaranteed. It may be very difficult to secure on-campus employment, financial aid, or additional scholarships.

• Review the estimated costs for your program
• Documents must be less than six months old.
• Documents must be issued in English or accompanied by an English translation.
• If you are submitting a bank account statement that is NOT in your name, your sponsor must complete the Affidavit of Support.
• Acceptable documentation:
  • Personal or family bank statement
  • Scholarship letter(s) from government sources, your Clark department, or other scholarship-granting agencies, clearly indicating your name, scholarship year or dates, and covered amounts
  • Approved loan confirmation
• Documents that will not be accepted:
  • Income tax or salary statements
  • Property deeds or rental agreements
  • Investment or stock portfolios
  • Promissory notes
  • Lines of credit from credit cards
  • Statements from chartered accountants
  • Other statements regarding assets that are not available in liquid cash amounts

Visiting scholars are invited to conduct research and engage in other academic pursuits at Clark University. You must have an invitation from a Clark department. You will not be considered an employee of Clark and will not receive any employee benefits. Typically, visiting scholars have an affiliation with an international university and are self-funded and self-guided in their research activities.

Visiting scholars who need visas to come to the U.S. will be sponsored by Clark as J-1 exchange visitors, in either the J-1 research scholar or J-1 short-term scholar category. These visa categories are part of the U.S. Department of State exchange programs. Once Clark has agreed to sponsor you as a J-1 visiting scholar, you will be issued a Form DS-2019 visa document so that you can apply for a J-1 visa and enter the U.S. in J-1 status.

• Obtain an invitation from a sponsoring Clark department or center/institute
• Your sponsoring department will submit a request to the ISSO on your behalf for a visa document
• Work with the ISSO to submit necessary immigration and financial documents
  • Acceptable financial documents include:
    • Funding letter from your home government or institution
    • Personal or family bank statement
  • Receive your DS-2019 for yourself and any J-2 dependents
  • Apply for your visa
  • For scholars staying more than six months with no Clark funding: pay a $200 international scholar fee upon arrival.

If you are an international employee who has been hired by Clark as a faculty member or researcher, the University’s International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) will work with your department to facilitate the visa sponsorship process. Once your hiring department contacts the ISSO, the ISSO will review your case to determine the most appropriate visa category for you. This process will include a review of your immigration history, whether you are currently in the United States, and the type of employment you have been offered.

• Talk to your department as soon as you have confirmed your intention to accept (or continue) employment at Clark. Your department is responsible for contacting the ISSO to start the process to request a visa document once you have confirmed your intent to work at Clark. Departments should initiate the visa sponsorship process as soon as possible.
• Once your department has started the process, you will be contacted by the ISSO to provide any information and documentation needed in the visa sponsorship process.
• The ISSO will provide you with the documents that you need from Clark to apply for your visa
  • If you are currently physically present in the United States, Clark/the ISSO may pursue a Change of Status application for you. If this is the case, you will still need to apply for a visa the next time you travel outside of the United States. Contact the ISSO for more information.
  • If you are a citizen of Canada, you will typically not need a visa to enter the United States, but you will need your sponsorship documents from Clark and will need to follow all the rules and regulations of your visa status.
• When you arrive, you will be contacted by Human Resources to complete the onboarding and orientation process.

If you have any questions, please contact the ISSO at isso@clarku.edu.

• If your dependents are outside of the U.S. and wish to accompany you to the U.S. as H-4 dependents, they will need to apply for H-4 visas at a U.S. consulate (note: citizens of Canada are not required to apply for visas, but must show documents establishing eligibility at the U.S. port of entry.)
• Dependents may apply for H-4 visas at the same time you apply for your own H-1B visa, or separately if they plan to join you in the U.S. later.
• For visa application instructions, review the information provided by the S. consulate where you and/or your family members will apply for your visas. At minimum, your dependents should be prepared to show the following:
  • Valid passport
  • Copy of the H-1B employee’s passport identity page and H-1B visa (if applying after the H-1B employee has obtained their own visa)
  • Copy of the I-797 Approval Notice showing Clark University as the employer
  • Copy of the H-1B employee’s employment offer letter.
  • Proof of marital/family relationship between the H-1B employee and the H-4 spouse and/or dependent children
• Change of Status Within the U.S.
  • To change to H-4 status from another status, the dependent must file Form I-539 (and Form I-539A, if necessary, for each additional co-applicant, such as dependent minor children) along with the correct fees and supporting materials to the USCIS.
  • Eligibility to do an in-country change to H-4 status may depend on several factors, including the dependent’s current status and status expiration date.
  • Because of legal limitations, the ISSO is unable to advise directly on individual cases. We recommend consulting with an immigration attorney for specific guidance on completing a Form I-539 change of status application.
  • As a courtesy, the ISSO is able to include Forms I-539 and I-539A and filing fees with a petition for an H-1b employer.

• As a citizen of a foreign country, you must obtain a U.S. visa, which is placed in your passport and allows you to seek entry into the United States for the purpose indicated on your visa (e.g. study, research, employment).
• To understand the length of your visa, visit the U.S. State Department’s visa reciprocity page and search for your country and visa type (e.g., “F” for F-1 visa). The length of your visa is not determined by the length of your DS-2019 or Form I-20 but on agreements between your country of citizenship and the United States.

1. When you receive your visa document from Clark or USCIS (e.g., Form I-20, Form DS-2019, I-797 Approval Notice), check it to make sure the information is correct. Contact the ISSO if you have any questions or notice any errors on your form.
2. Make your visa appointment at a U.S. consulate in your country of citizenship or legal permanent residence. Follow all steps as directed by the consulate where you will be applying for you visa, as procedures vary by county.
   • Schedule your visa appointment as soon as possible to avoid possible delays.
   • If necessary, complete the Form DS-160 Nonimmigrant Visa Application and pay the DS-160 fee.
   • F-1/J-1 Visa Applicants: You will need your SEVIS number to make your appointment. The SEVIS number can be found on your Form I-20 or DS-2019
3. F-1/J-1 Visa Applicants: Pay your I-901 SEVIS Fee at least three days before your visa appointment.
4. Read Tips for a Successful Visa Appointment
5. Prepare your visa application materials, including but not limited to:
   • Your passport, which should be valid at least six months into the future
   • Your visa document (Form I-20, DS-2019, etc.)
   • U.S. passport photos
   • F-1/J-1 Visa Applicants: Your I-901 SEVIS fee payment receipt (F and J visa applicants only)
   • Financial documents, such as your scholarship letter(s), bank statements, or job offer letter from Clark
   • Students: Your Clark admission letter
   • Scholars/Employees: Appointment letter
   • Passports and proof of family relationship for any dependent family members coming with you to the U.S.
     • Passports must be valid at least six months into the future
   • Additional supporting materials as instructed by the ISSO or the U.S. consulate
6. The U.S. consulate will provide important instructions regarding the visa approval process, timelines, and pick-up instructions.
7. Plan your arrival to the United States.
   • F-1/J-1 Visa Holders: You are permitted to enter the U.S. 30 days or less before the start date printed on your Form I-20 or DS-2019. Contact the ISSO if you will be arriving later than the program start date on your Form I-20 or DS-2019.

Sometimes applicants for visas may face delays or denials for reasons such as missing documents or inability to demonstrate non-immigrant intent. In other cases, a visa application may be delayed due to a security check, which is known as administrative processing. Contact the ISSO if you have any questions.

If you are currently in the United States, contact the ISSO with details about your specific immigration status and situation. The ISSO may recommend that you change your status from within the United States  before joining Clark. In other cases, the ISSO may recommend that you depart the United States and return with a new visa.

Contact the ISSO if you have questions about change of status.

• Know what to expect: Interviews at U.S. consular posts are typically set up so that you are standing at a counter while other people wait and watch in the background. For security reasons, a thick piece of glass typically separates you from the interviewing officer. Before you even get to the counter, you will have to go through a strict security screening process (similar to an airport) and may wait for several hours for your case to be called. Ensure you arrive with plenty of extra time to go through security and prepare for your interview.
• Come with the right documents: It is critical to arrive at your interview with all necessary documents.
• Dress and act professionally: The ISSO recommends wearing business attire to your interview. When speaking to the officer, speak as confidently as you can and maintain good posture.
• Familiarize yourself with your application materials: Most questions you will be asked at the interview will already be addressed in your application materials. It is important that you familiarize yourself with the details of your Clark materials, DS-160, and all other supporting docs before your appointment.
• Demonstrate nonimmigrant intent: Most U.S. visas are granted for nonimmigrant intent. This means that your purpose for coming to the United States is temporary, and you do not intend to stay in the United States. The consular officer may deny your application if they believe you intend to stay in the U.S. permanently.
  • Be prepared to show ties to your home country such as family ties, employment, or property. This may be difficult for a student to show, so be ready to talk about future career plans in your home country.
  • Note: The H1-B visa is considered a dual-intent visa, which means that you can plan to either return to your home country or eventually apply for permanent residency in the United States.
• Biometrics will be collected when you apply for a U.S. visa.
• Consular officers have absolute authority to grant or deny visas, and their decisions cannot be overturned. If denied, you can re-apply for the visa if you can provide additional supporting documents.
• F-1/J-1 students: Be prepared to answer questions such as “Why do you want to pursue this field of study?” or “Why did you choose Clark University?” Your application may be denied if the consular officer suspects that you have accepted Clark University’s offer of admission but do not intend to be a student.
• F-1/J-1 students: Bring financial documentation to show your ability to support yourself during your time in the U.S. — examples include financial aid documents, bank statements, and affidavits of support.
• F-1/J-1 students and scholars: Be prepared to demonstrate your nonimmigrant intent:
  • Outline post-graduation plans upon returning to your home country.
  • Document family ties, business interests and assets in your home country.
  • Discuss job prospects in your home country upon completion of your program.
• Clark employees: Prepare yourself for questions. Be prepared to talk about yourself and your work. For many individuals, it may seem odd to discuss one’s credentials. However, it is important to realize that your eligibility for a particular visa category is almost always dependent on these credentials. When answering questions, you should focus on demonstrating that you meet the legal standard for admission in a particular visa category. Another important consideration is that you should not become too technical while discussing your jobs, as consular officers cannot be expected to possess specialized knowledge in every industry. Finally, we encourage you to speak truthfully, as your credibility is key to a successful interview. Listen carefully to each question, give a complete answer, and do not simply give one-word answers.

F-1 students and J-1 students and scholars are required to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee when applying for a visa for the first time. The SEVIS fee is used to support and maintain the U.S. government’s Student and Exchange Visitor Information (SEVIS) system. The SEVIS fee is usually a one-time fee that lasts the duration of your F-1 studies or J-1 program. You will need to pay a new fee if you take an extended leave of absence from your program or if you return to the United States in the future for a new program.

Only the person on the F-1 student or J-1 student/scholar visa needs to pay the fee. F-2 or J-2 family members are exempt from the fee.

If you are a citizen of Canada, you are not required to apply for a visa before entering the United States to study, teach, or engage in research. However, you must carry an appropriate immigration paperwork from Clark such as your Form I-20, Form DS-2019, or Form I-797 H1-B approval.

Yes, you will need a new visa. You cannot enter the United States to work or study on a tourist visa. Doing so would be a violation of your tourist status. You must enter the U.S. in the appropriate visa status for your planned activities.

No, you must enroll as a full-time student to be eligible for a F-1 or J-1 student visa.

Contact the ISSO for more information. The ISSO will need to assess your individual situation and immigration status before we can advise if you will need to leave the U.S. and get a new visa or if you are eligible for a change of status. It may also be necessary or advisable for you to consult an immigration attorney.

There are rules for how early you can arrive in the United States the first time you are traveling in a new visa category.

• F-1 students: You may arrive up to 30 days before the program start date printed on your Clark Form-I-20
• J-1 students and J-1 scholars: You may arrive up to 30 days before the program start date printed on your Clark or J-1 program sponsor DS-2019
• H1-B temporary workers: You may arrive up to 10 days before the validity date on your I-797 Approval Notice. Your earliest arrival date may also by printed on your H-1B visa.
• Other visa types: Contact the ISSO if you have questions about your arrival date.

When you arrive at a port-of-entry to the United States, you will be subject to inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers. CBP officers will conduct the Immigration, Customs, and Agriculture components of the Inspections process. A CBP official will inspect your travel documents, ask you questions, and make the final decision about your admissibility to enter the United States.

Be prepared to discuss you reasons for coming to the United States — such as to study, do research, or teach at Clark — and the expected length of your stay in the U.S. You can find more information about the admissions requirements and process on the CBP International Visitors webpage. If you are flying to the U.S., make sure you bring all your travel documents with you in your carry-on and do not put them in your checked luggage as you will not have access to luggage until after you clear customs.

• Evidence of vaccination against COVID-19
• Unexpired passport that will be valid at least six months into the future on the day you return to the United States
• Unexpired F-1 or J-1 visa
• Your visa document from Clark (Form I-20 / Form DS-2019 / I-797 Approval Notice)
• A valid U.S. visa (exception: Canadian citizens do not require visas)
• Supporting documents such as:
  • Financial documents, such as your bank statements, scholarship letters, or job offer letters from Clark
  • F-1 and J-1 visa holders: Your I-901 SEVIS fee payment receipt
  • F-1 and J-1 students: Your admission letter
  • Employees and research scholars: Your appointment letter
  • Employees and scholars: CV or resume
  • Other evidence that shows your purpose for coming to the U.S.

Upon arrival, a CBP officer typically stamps your travel document with the admission date, the class of admission, and the date that the traveler is admitted until. CBP also gathers travelers’ arrival/departure information automatically from their electronic travel records. This electronic record of your arrival is also known as your I-94. Every time you enter the United States, a CBP officer must update your I-94 with the date you entered and the status (e.g., F-1, J-1, H1-B) with which you were admitted to the U.S. This electronic record is your proof of legal admission into the U.S. in the appropriate student, scholar, or employee status.

After arriving in the U.S., make sure you download a copy of your I-94 from CPB’s I-94 lookup site and ensure that it is accurate. Contact the ISSO immediately if you are not able to locate your I-94 or there are errors; any mistakes need to be corrected right away.

F-1 and J-1 visa holders, and their F-2 / J-2 dependents, should always have an I-94 that indicates an “admit until” date of “D/S.” D/S stands for “duration of status,” which means that you are allowed to remain in the U.S. for as long as your F or J documents are unexpired and you are continuing to pursue your program of study, research, or teaching at Clark. H-1B and other visa holders will have I-94 records that have a specific expiration date.

If you are arriving in the United States at a land border crossing along the Canadian or Mexican border, you will be given a paper version of the I-94.