Immigration Procedures

When an international student has been accepted into Rochester University and all required financial statements and deposits have been received, the university issues an I-20, a Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Students that is used to show reason for entry into the United States and is, in effect, an invitation to attend school. Once the I-20 is received from Rochester University, an appointment at the closest U.S. Embassy or Consulate must be made to apply for an F-1 student visa. It is important to understand that the nature of an F-1 student visa assumes that the student will return to the student's home country upon completion of studies and any authorized practical training. Each country is different in how it processes student visas. It may be possible to make an appointment prior to receiving the I-20 as long as the student possesses the I-20 at the time of the appointment. Please contact the nearest embassy or consulate for specific details. Also note that in many countries several attempts are required to receive an F-1 student visa, so the student should be prepared to try again if the application is initially denied. Once granted an F-1 student visa by the embassy or consulate, the international student should contact Rochester University to confirm the starting date and whether assistance is needed with travel plans to Michigan. International students may not move to the United States earlier than 30 days prior to the start of classes.

For more information on applying for and obtaining a student visa, please see http://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study/student-visa.html.

On-campus work is authorized under the F-1 visa for a maximum of 20 hours per week while school is in session and full time when school is out of session if a position is available. Off-campus employment is generally not available to F-1 students except through application to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.