EFTA01126903.pdf

Columbia University in the City ofNew York International Affairs Office 630 litest 1686 Street, Box 578 Telephone: (212) 305-5455 New York, NY 10032 Far: (212) 305-5208 USA *(courier address below) [email protected] APPLICATIONFOR VISA CERTIFICATE If you plan to enroll at Columbia University as a full-time international student you need a student visa. Upon satisfactory completion and submission of the Application for Visa Certificate, AVC (and supporting documentation), the 1AO will prepare and mail the Form 1.20 to you. You will need the Form 1-20 to apply at a U.S. Consulate for the F-I student visa. You may fax your application and supporting documents, or send the application by courier (please use the courier-only address below). Your accompanying spouse and children may apply for F-2 entry visas, as dependents of the F-I visa holder, if funding to meet additional expenses is documented. If you are requesting a J-1 student visa please contact the IAO for additional information. J-I student visas require funding from the student's home country government, the U.S. government, or an international organization. If you are currently in the U.S. and you need to apply for a transfer or a change of status please contact the IAO. Please call, or email the IAO for specific time limitations and instructions related to transfer, or change of status applications. If you are transferring to CU, your current visa sponsor (university) must complete a transfer form before you submit the AVC. Please contact the IAO to obtain the transfer form. The AVC begins with an introduction of terms relevant to the student visa and focuses on matters of particular concern to incoming students such as: requirements and procedures necessary to qualify for the Form I-20, obtaining an F-I entry visa, restrictions on foreign exchange transactions, guidance on what to expect when you apply for an entry visa, and information particular to Canadian Nationals. Please read the entire application before completing the form. Attention to detail is important. Visa Certificate Processing - Students may not enter the U.S. more than 30 days before their report date to the University. In general the IAO will not produce an 1-20 more than 150 days before the student's report date. Processing of a new and COMPLETE application for the Form I-20 takes approximately 2-3 weeks. If First Class mail service to your location takes an additional 15 to 23 days, you may expect to receive your Form I.20 within 4-6 weeks from the day we receive your request. Few locations worldwide consistently receive First Class mail from New York City in less than 10 days. First Class mail to the People's Republic of China (PRC) commonly takes considerably longer. If you request and prepay courier service for your Form 1.20, please note that the IAO's processing time still remains 2-3 weeks. The speed of courier delivery ranges from 2 to 6 days. Introduction - Entry visa and immigration status are two immigration-related terms which you will see frequently. The first term, entry visa, refers to the entry visa affixed or stamped in one's passport that permits entry into the U.S. This stamp is obtained at a U.S. Consulate. The entry visa is used only for entries to the U.S. and may expire during one's stay in the U.S. with no repercussions. The second term, immigration status, reflects the most recent notation on one's 1-94 Arrival/Departure Record, commonly known as the 1-94 Card. One's immigration status is generally the same as one's entry visa classification, e.g. F-I, J-1, etc. The 1.94 Card one receives upon entering the U.S. is proof of immigration status (nonimmigrant classification) in the U.S. and specifies the length of time one is permitted to stay. Upon arrival in the U.S., the customs or immigration official retains the Arrival portion of the 1.94, notes the immigration status (nonimmigrant classification) on the Departure portion, and staples the 1-94 (Departure) Card into the passport, usually to the page that holds the corresponding entry visa. More detailed information is available on line in the handbook entitled Coming to Cohimhia at www.columbia.cdu/culisso/incoming/. F-1 Student Classification - Those who hold F-1 student visas are normally admitted to the U.S. for "Duration of Status (D/S)" by the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the U.S. government agency responsible for administering regulations related to the entry of non-U.S. citizens. Under the terms of a student visa, one is required to pursue a full-time course of study during the academic year, September through May. Columbia University commonly defines full-time study as registration for 12 or more credits or one Residence Unit each semester. Students in F-I status may work on campus part-time (up to 20 hours per week) with the permission of the IAO. A student may apply for permission to work off campus only after having been in F-I status for at least 9 months. Work permission requires the prior written approval of the IAO and the Department of Homeland Security, DHS. Employment during either the academic year or the summer, should not be considered a major means of support while at Columbia, unless the University offers employment in the form of a teaching or research assistantship. Dependents holding F-2 status may not work under any circumstances. Academic and financial benefits for many students in F-I status include eligibility for various forms of employment. Details are available from the IAO and the International Students and Scholars Office (Momingside Campus) website at www.columbia.edu/cu/isso/visa/F- 1/index.html. *Courier-Only Address: 650 W. 168th St, Black Building, Room 1-126B New York, NY 10032 USA EFTA01126903 SEVIS - The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), is an intemet-based application for electronically tracking and reporting on foreign students and Exchange Visitors in the U.S. Under SEVIS we are required to report events relevant to your status as F-I students to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Reportable Events Currently Include - Academic admission, deferral of admission, personal and financial information, academic program information, registration for each term, program extension, drop below full course of study and resumption of a full course of study, employment, both on and off campus, premature termination of study, completion of program, and initial, continuing, travel and departure information on F-I students and accompanying dependents. SEVIS Fee - If your 1-20 is issued for "initial attendance" or for "change of status" you will need to present proof of payment of the SEVIS fee of $200.00. This fee can be paid online by completing the Form 1-901 available at http://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/. Canadian Nationals - Canadians do not need entry visas to enter the U.S. Nationals however, entering the United States to study, must pay the SEVIS fee, request F-I status at the border, and must show the Form 1.20 to the INS inspector who will then issue an l- 94 Card. Canadian students must have an 1-94 Card to confirm F-I student status and to be eligible for F-I student benefits. Canadian Nationals must have a valid passport to enter the U.S. from the Western Hemisphere. Visa Waiver - There are a number of countries whose citizens are not required to obtain a visa to enter the U.S. as a Visitor for Tourism or Jar Business. Individuals admitted to the U.S. under this program have the code IVT or WB noted on the 1-94 Card. Visitors in this status are never allowed to: study in the U.S., change status in the U.S., extend their stay in the U.S. beyond the date on the 1.94 Card, work, or receive an assistantship or fellowship. You should not enter the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program if you intend to be a student. If you enter on WT or WB, you will have to exit the U.S. and re-enter in F-I student status to begin classes. *Courier-Only Address: 650 W. 1681* St, Black Building, Room 1-126B New York, NY 10032 USA EFTA01126904 HOW TO OBTAIN A VISA CERTIFICATE In addition to a complete Application for Visa Certificate, you will need to submit the following documents with official English translations: ♦ if you will enter the United States with a passport, a copy of your passport information page with expiration date; ♦ a copy of your letter of admission from the admissions office of your school; ♦ a letter from you describing how you will finance your course of study; and ♦ financial documentation, which covers all expenses for one year, and describes reasonable means of support for the entire length of the program. Various documents are required depending on the source of financial support. If you have more than one source of funding, please provide the required documentation listed below corresponding to each source. Please do not send original documents as we cannot return them to you. The required documents and English translations for each source of support are as follows: Personal Funds ♦ A copy of a bank letter in your own name prepared within the past three months showing available balances sufficient to meet your expenses, the dollar amount per year being provided, and the number of years for which the funding is guaranteed (see page 6). Parents or family ♦ A copy of a letter from your parent or other relative which guarantees your support and includes - your relative's name, address, and relationship to you, the program of study or degree for which financial support is being provided, the length of program, the dollar amount per year being provided and the number of years for which it is guaranteed. ♦ A copy of your relative's bank letter prepared within the past three months showing available balances sufficient to meet your expenses. An international ♦ A copy of the official sponsorship letter stating the conditions of the award. The letter should specify organization, the name and address of the sponsor, the total amount of money in U.S. dollars available to you for government agency, the school in which you will be enrolling, the major field, and the degree, for which you will be foundation, or another studying, and the period for which funding is guaranteed, or a statement that funding is renewable university annually for a specified number of years. Columbia University ♦ A copy of your Columbia award letter (where applicable). Private sponsor ♦ Requirements as under Parents or family, and a letter from your sponsor explaining the sponsor's relationship to you, the student, and why he or she is committed to providing for your support. Please note that the U.S. Consular officials subject private sponsor guarantees to careful review and that you should be prepared to submit additional documentation for your entry visa. Loans ♦ A copy of an approval letter from each lender. For MD and DDS students only: loans will be verified by the Student Financial Planning Office (financial aid). Nationals From Countries Requiring Currency Exchange Permits - The Form 1.20 is a U.S. government form that the University may issue solely for use by the U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security in support of eligibility for F-1 student classification; it cannot be issued to you for the purpose of obtaining a foreign exchange permit. Moreover, if your country sets a maximum figure on foreign exchange that is below the minimum requirement for 1-20 eligibility, you must document the availability of supplemental funds from sources not affected by exchange control. The University reserves the right to require advance deposit of funds sufficient to cover part or all of your tuition and living expenses. *Courier-Only Address: 650 W. 168m St, Black Building, Room 1-126B New York, NY 10032 USA EFTA01126905 Application for Entry Visa - To obtain an entry visa, you must apply to a U.S. Consulate with your passport, the Form I.20 for yourself and each dependent, financial documents (plus passports and financial documents for each dependent), evidence that you have paid the SEVIS fee (a receipt), and you must demonstrate evidence ofnonimmigrant intent. To demonstrate nonimmigrant intent you must prove to the Consular Officer that you are a bona fide non-immigrant by showing that you have ties to your home country, i.e. job, family, and that you plan to return to your home country. You will also need two passport-size (37 mm x 37 mm) photographs of each visa applicant over 16 years of age. If your family name is different from your dependents, be prepared to show documents that prove your relationship. You will be required to complete Form DS-156 (Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form) together with Form DS-158. Both forms must be completed and signed. Some applicants will also be required to complete and sign Form DS-157 (primarily males between the ages of 16 and 45). These forms can be downloaded from the Department of State website at: http://travel.state.govivisa/questions_embassy.html. On occasion, a Consular Visa Officer may require evidence (in addition your Form 1-20) of English proficiency sufficient to pursue your proposed program of studies. In most cases all visa applicants are required to undergo an interview at a U.S. Consulate. The length of visa validity, number of entries permitted, and application fee are based on reciprocity and generally reflect your country's policies in granting visa privileges to visiting U.S. students. The Consular Visa Officer has the final word on your application; his or her judgment is not subject to review. The U.S. Consulate will require original documents with your application for an F-I student visa. Consular standards for visa eligibility may be considerably more rigorous than the standards you must meet to qualify for the Form I-20. You should contact the consulate in which you plan to apply for the entry visa and inquire about specific documentation necessary to obtain an F-I entry visa and to be advised on the length of time the consulate will need to process your entry visa. Processing times vary widely from consulate to consulate. Facsimile Documents - The IAO will generally accept faxes of your documents, although the University does reserve the right to request original documents. The U.S. State Department does not accept faxed 1-20 forms for purposes of visa issuance. CHECK LIST FOR A COMPLETE APPLICATION FOR VISA CERTIFICATE (AVC): Please submit a complete application to the MO. Normal processing times for a complete application is approximately 2-3 weeks. An incomplete application will take considerably longer. If your application is being delayed because of a loan application please contact the staff at the IAO. ❑ If you are transferring to CU from another College or University inside the U.S., or if you plan to apply for a change of status to F-1 please contact the IAO before completing the AVC (please see page I) ❑ Complete page 5.6 of AVC (please be sure to include permanent foreign address, it's required for all F-1 students) ❑ Copy of Admission Letter (for Postgraduate Dental students this will include 2nd page with lengths and type of program such as three-year certificate program, or three year Master's program, etc.) ❑ Personal letter of explanation on how you will fund your first year of study at C.U., and reasonable means of support for the entire length of the program ❑ Letter from sponsor regarding funding (please see page 3) ❑ Supporting financial documentation, e.g. bank statement ❑ If you are in the U.S. a copy of all previous I.20s and a copy of your passport identification page Please note that we do not accept credit cards for payment of Federal Express charges; we only accept money orders and U.S. bank checks. -"Courier-Only .1ddress: 650 If 168id St, Black Building. ROOM 1-126B New York, NY 10032 USA EFTA01126906  Mail or fax application to the International Affairs Office Please print clearly Mr. El e-mail address (enter only n chocked frequentlyi Name Date of Dinh family first middle month day year Place of birth Note: If you were tan in the U.S.. genera►y you ale a citizen by birth city or town colttry unless you rave formallyrenounced U.S. ofizenship. Country of cibiensttp Note: If dual citizen. Indicate citizenship reneging passport you will use during your studies at Colt be. V.S. citizens may not apply for U.S. visas. Country of Permanent Residence Present medal address house number and street. apt. number city Use address until. Mate a provhce wintry postal code (If any) MOMNdaygrear Telephone: Fax : gantry code city code minter oowitry code city code number Permanent address (ally if deferent lign mailing address) house number and street. apt. number city slate or proveloe catty postal code (II any) Telephone. Fax Gouty code city code miner catty code city code minter TO which divekin (Scheel) of Colmnbia University have you been admitted? Whorl subject will you study? Foe which degree are you a Candidate? Are you in the United States? No ❑ Yes ❑ If Yes. please answer the following questions: I ) What kind of immigration J-t Exchange Visitor. classification do you hold? B-I Business ❑ F-1 Student ❑ Student Category J-t Exchange Vsitor. Non- B-2 Tot/et ❑ ti-1 Temporary Worker ❑ Student Category ❑ Other ❑ Specify 2) When does your perMiStaCh Check here d l-94 Card What Is your to stay expire? kidiCateS DIS ❑ 1.94 card number? (see your 1-94 Card): rno.nth day year 3) After you receive the Form 1-20. will you navel abroad prior SO beginning your program al Colwnba University? No ❑ Yea ❑ if you currently hold F-1 or J-1 status, and are applying for continuation In that status, you must enclose a photocopy of both sides of your current Form 1-20, or DS-2019, your 1.94 card, and the Identification page of your passport. If you plan to complete the transfer process, or change of status process In the U.S. you will be subject to time restrictions for these processes. Please contact the IAO if you have any questions. For each dependent (spouse and unmarried children under 21) requesting a dependent visa who WI accompany you to the U.S.. please list the following information (use additional paper. as necessary). Please enclose a copy of the passport identification page for each dependent. Each dependent needs a separate 1-20 to enter the U.S. a) Name (as an passport) b) Relationship c) Dale c4 birth d) Place Of birth e) Country c4 citizenship I) Passport expiration dale 1 2. 3. 4. Please retain pages 1-4 for your information. You may submit this form by fax, or by mail. Please submit only a complete application, which includes a copy of your acceptance letter, financial documentation, and passport information. EFTA01126907  ESTIMATED EXPENSES FOR 2012-13 Cosi in US. $ 'Colones *Cotege of Gdlege of Wiese of Scheele( Soho -old Scheeler College of Geller ol Dental Dental Medicine Physicians & Physicians & Nursing. Nursing. Nursing. Physicians & Physicians & Medicine. DDS International Surgeons. MD Surgeons. MS Doctor s urgeons. Surgeons. AEGO Program Human Nutrition Occupational Physical Therapy Therapy Tutian and 86. 493 89.905 65.146 02.912 69.076 02.434 35.846 41.166 01.282 Fees Educational 1.550 450 2.248 700 2.008 2.088 0.449 1.675 1.935 Expenses Academic yr. 19.832 18.910 19.833 18910 18.000 18.000 18.000 18.910 23.112 Liveg Expanses Academic Yr. 87.875 109.305 77.028 62.622 79.123 62.602 58.095 61.751 68309 Sub.Tolal Summer Tuilice - 3.901 22.985 7.788 - 680 - and Fees Summer Living 4.202 8.301 0.202 6.301 8.000 6.000 - 6.301 2.101 Expenses Told 91,877 115.606 81,228 72.724 108.108 78.270 58.095 68.732 68.410 Expenses *Please contact the IAO for e timated fees for all other Postgraduate Programs in the College of Dental Medicine. "BS/MS program in Nursing is a 12-month. 3 term program, including summer tuition and fees. Please complete the columns below indicating expenses applicable to your program, and the funds available to you for the 9-12 month, academic year, 2012-13. Available funds must equal or exceed your expenses for the year. Students who will be in the U.S. during summer months need to document summer living expenses and available funds (most students remain in the U.S. for the summer, and must show funds). If you arc married and plan to bring your spouse or children, additional funds arc required for your dependents; the amounts for the 2012-13, Academic Year are U.S. $1,000 monthly for your spouse and U.S. $350 monthly for each child. Consult the Chart of estimated expenses and enter the amount Please indicate In Me first column the amoLeit of money from the following required by your school for the 2012-13 Academic Year for. scuttle) available to meet expected costs. Indicate In Me last column whether the same holding from that source is available (renewable) tor all subsequent years Of Study. Renewable? Yesfhlo Academic Year Itieito and Fees US$ Personal/Family Funds USS Academic Year Wag Expenses USS Loans USS trausn4aJounna Excernen Total Academic Year Costs US$ Private Secrete USS Summer Tuition and Fees" US$ Home Government (IV /4"ni)USMS pViern<ain Univertity. Or Agency USS Summer Living Expenses US$ Columbia Univenilly USS Dependent Expenses US$ US Government or Agency USS US$ Total Funds Available USS Total Expected Cost Statement Of Understanding Of Financial Responsibility , certify that the above-mentioned financial resources are available to me for the duration of the studies identified in this Application for Visa Certificate. I have read this entire document and understand my responsibilities in providing the documentation desaibed in How to Obtain a Visa Certificate. I understand that falsification of any financial documentation is grounds for cancellation of my admission and subsequent enrollment. Signature Date Special Service Request Your Form 1-20 will be sent by first-class airmail unless you specify Federal Express (FedEx) courier delivery and enclose correct payment. FedEx does not deliver to "Post Office Box" addresses. Make payment by U.S. bank check, or U. S. money order payable to Columbia University. We are unable to accept Credit Cards for payment of Federal Express. 9n a select few cases we will allow applicants to reimburse the IAO for Federal Express charges if they are unable to provide a U.S. bank check, or money order. We prefer to allow a reimbursement of payment for FedEx only in cases when a delay in delivery will cause an applicant to miss an appointment at the consulate or will delay their entry into the U.S. Please make every effort to pay in advance. Federal Express Eastern Europe, Africa. former Latin America. South Australia, Mideast, East Caribbean. Western Europe. Fees Soviet Republics. Iceland O580 Central Asia O$65 Asia, S.E. Asia O555 North America O$35 U.S.A. O$25 *Courier-Only Address: 650 W. 168i1h St, Black Building, Room 1-126B New York, NY 10032 USA EFTA01126908