student visa process - center for talented youth · obtaining the i-20 form 4. applying for the f-1...

Student Visa Process

2018

CTY Summer Programs

Presentation Content

1. Visa requirements

2. Starting the process and deadlines

3. Obtaining the I-20 form

4. Applying for the F-1 visa

5. Traveling to the U.S. on a student visa

6. Questions

1. VISA REQUIREMENTSCTY Student Visa Process

1. Visa Requirements

• CTY students need an F-1 (non-immigrant) visa unless already in the U.S. with an immigration status that allows study.

• B1/B2 visitor visa or visa waiver program is not legal for study.

• For visa purposes, CTY is NOT a summer camp. CTY is considered full-time study.– Beware of conflicting information

from your local consulate.– Consul staff and port of entry staff

represent different U.S. agencies.• Passport must be valid at least 6

months beyond entry to the U.S.• If the student is a U.S. citizen, use the

U.S. passport for entry. No visa is needed.

Current F-1 visa holders:

• If you are returning to your current U.S. school after CTY, contact your school and ask that they send a letter acknowledging your summer study to [email protected].

• If you are not returning to your current U.S. school after CTY, contact [email protected].

mailto:[email protected]


1. Visa Requirements (Cont.)

Special Visa Circumstances:

• If the student has a valid F-1 visa from previous study, it may be used with a new I-20, but you must pay a new SEVIS Fee.

• Citizens of Canada and Bermuda do not need to obtain an actual visa at a U.S. consulate but must obtain an I-20 form, pay the SEVIS fee, present them with their passport at the U.S. border, and request entry as an F-1 student. Do not enter as a visitor.

Not having appropriate documentation could result in denial of admission to the U.S.

at the port of entry.

2. STARTING THE PROCESSAND DEADLINE

CTY Student Visa Process

2. Starting the Process and Deadline

• Add [email protected] to your list of email-approved senders.

• The Johns Hopkins Office of International Services (OIS) will contact you via email within 5 business days of your course registration.

• Watch your email for a message titled “CTY Application for I-20 Visa Certificate & Mailing Instructions.”

• Follow the instructions in the email, respond to this and future required actions from OIS, and check your email spam box before contacting OIS.

Respond and complete the process with OIS no later than:

• April 15 for CTY session 1.

• May 1 for CTY session 2.

In all documents, enter the student’s legal name as printed on his/her passport.

If the student has multiple passports, enter the information from the same passport the student will use to enter the U.S. in all forms.


3. OBTAINING THE I-20 FORMStep 1: Completing the I-20 Request


3. Obtaining the I-20 Form: Step 1

1. You will need electronic copies of:

a. the passport information page for the student.

b. a bank statement or other documentation of funds to cover the costs of CTY available, or a copy of your paid in full CTY receipt.

2. Go to iHopkins: https://ihopkins.jhu.edu

3. Click on the login link in “Other Students/Scholars/International Employees, and marked for CTY students.

https://ihopkins.jhu.edu/

3. Obtaining the I-20 Form: Step 1 (Cont. 2)

4. Enter:

a. The 7-digit University Identification Number, sent to you via the instructional email from the JHU Office of International Services.

b. Child’s date of birth

c. The Limited Access Pin included in the instructional email.

5. Click on Login.


6. You will be led to the iHopkins Home Page.

7. Click on the Center for Talented Youth (CTY) Students box to open the window.

Former CTY Students who have previously received an I-20: On the next screens, your previous information may be displayed in the system. Please scroll to the bottom of the application and click on ‘New’ to re-set the form and resubmit your information for the I-20 for 2018


8. Select the CTY Request for

I-20.

Former CTY Students who have previously received an I-20: In the next screens, your previous information may be displayed in the system. Please scroll to the bottom of the application and click on ‘New’ to re-set the form and resubmit your information for the I-20 for 2018


Passport.pdf

9. Complete the Form:

Biographical Information

• Upload a copy of the biographical page/pages of the passport. Click the Browse button and follow instructions.

• Select countries of birth and citizenship from the drop-down list.

Foreign Home Address, Contact Info

• List the address as accurately as you can in this format. The items with a * are required.

Choose the country of the passport that will be used.

This address is used in the immigration database only. The I-20 form is sent to the address used when you set up the shipment.


U.S. Residential Address

• Select YES if the student will live on campus at the CTY site. No additional information will be needed.

• Check NO if the student will live off-campus while attending CTY. You must provide the U.S. address where the student will be living.


Financial Support Information• This amount must equal or exceed

the costs of your particular CTY program.

• Upload documentation that shows the financial support is available.

Documents that count as proof of financial support (one is sufficient):• A copy of your receipt if you have made full

payment of all CTY fees.• A bank statement of the student or parent,

no more than 3 months old, that shows sufficient funds to cover all CTY costs.

• A copy of an official letter from a government or other institutional funding source that certifies their sponsorship.

A copy of a credit card or of non-liquid assets (e.g. property) are not accepted.

If you choose to submit a copy of your full tuition payments to CTY, a copy of your payments is available for download in the Financial Summary page of your MyCTY account.

https://mycty.jhu.edu/mycty2/login.cfm


Current and Future Educational Status

• Answer all 3 questions. In most cases, all will be NO.

Special Cases (only)

• If the student is presently in the U.S., your answers help determine what immigration documentation is and is not needed for the student.


Current and Future Educational Status (Cont.) Special Cases (only)• If the student is currently attending

another U.S. school to which he/she will be returning: submit a letter verifying that the other school agrees with the student participating in the CTY program.

• If the student will be going to another U.S. school after CTY: provide this information so we can properly transfer his/her immigration record if needed.

3. Obtaining the I-20 Form: Step 1(Cont. 10)

Submit the Form

• Click the Submit button.

• You can save the draft and return to it later by logging into iHopkins.

• Receive email confirmation from OIS.

• Processing time for I-20 is approximately 2 weeks.

• Please note that you must also set up shipment of the I-20 as described in the next step. We will not produce the I-20 until the shipment is complete.

Remember to click Submit so that the JHU Office of International Services

receives the information.

3. OBTAINING THE I-20 FORMStep 2: Shipping Request



Step 2: Request the mailing of the I-20 with eShipGlobal, JHU’s shipping service.

This can now be done through a link on your iHopkins home page.

• Only shipping method.

• The I-20 will not be produced until you have set up this shipment.


a. Go back to your iHopkins Services Home Page

b. Open tab for Document Shipment Request

c. Click on eShipGlobal Shipment Request

d. Follow instructions to set up and pay for the I-20 shipment.

e. You can also track your order through eShipGlobal.


Setting up and paying for the I-20 shipment

a. Carefully review the instructions presented on the e-form.

b. (Optional) Print a copy of detailed instructions, so that you have the information handy if you need to come back to this e-form to access eShipGlobal later.


c. Read the rest of the eShipGlobal instructions. – Note that if you do not have an

eShipGlobal account, you will be asked to create one before proceeded.

– If you already have an account from eShipGlobal, you will be asked to sign into your account.


d. (Optional) Click web links available to review eShipGlobal’s FAQ web page, refund policy and contact information.

e. Check the box for “I have read and understand these instructions” confirmation box.

f. Click “Submit” to begin your shipping process. This action opens a new window from eShipGlobal.


You are redirected to eShipGlobal’s website “Student Registration” page. * • Complete ALL STEPS on eShipGlobal’s site until you successfully create a

shipping order.• Use “back” arrow (to ) to return to the e-form. Depending on which Internet

browser is used, refreshing the screen by clicking ( ) from the tool bar on top may be necessary.


• Steps to register with eShipGlobal

• (for first time eShipGlobal Users)

i. Enter all required information, marked with asterisk (*), before proceeding to next step.

3. Obtaining the I-20 Form: Step 2 (cont. 7)

ii. Select “NOT APPLICABLE” from the Field of Study drop-down list

iii. Select “NOT APPLICABLE” from the Choose Expected graduation drop-down list – the field, “Select Year” becomes

grey out and you can skip this field

iv. Click “REGISTER” to complete eShipGlobal’s registration form


• Steps to sign in to your eShipGlobal(for those who already have an account. E.g. CTY students in 2017)

You’ll begin from eShipGlobal’s Student Login Page. i. Enter your password to log in to your eShipGlobal account.ii. If you do not remember your password, click “Forgot Password?” You

will receive a link from eShipGlobal via email to reset your password.

3. Obtaining the I-20 Form: Step 2 (Cont. 9)After you successfully registered or logged in, eShipGlobal’s Welcome page appears on your screen. g. Click “RECEIVE DOCUMENTS FROM UNIVERSITY.”


h. Complete the “Shipment Creation” form.

• Please NOTE: Sender’s Address is pre-populated. (You do not need to select university, because Johns Hopkins University is the default sender when you submit eShipGlobal e-form through iHopkins.


h. Complete the “Shipment Creation” form (cont.)

i. Your student ID is the 7-digit University Identification Number sent to you via the instructional email from the Office of International Services (OIS) at JHU. This field is optional.


h. Complete the “Shipment Creation” form (cont. II)

ii. For Type of Document, select “I-20” from the drop-down list.

iii. verify the accuracy of all the information on the form

iv. click “CONTINUE.”


• You are presented with carrier options, their associated costs and estimated delivery time.


i. Select preferred carrier by clicking “Select Service” radio button. j. Click “CONTINUE”.


k. Verify sender and receiver information l. click “PAY NOW.” (*If you need to make corrections, click CANCEL SHIPMENT

and re-create a shipment with correct information.)


IMPORTANT: If you are unable to complete all the steps on eShipGlobal’s website in one setting (including online payment) and need to return to eShipGlobal at a later date:

• you must log in to iHopkins and

• click “Access eShipGlobal to Generate Shipping Label” link at the top of this e-form

• you will be directed to the eShipGlobal login page

Click here to print these instructions of “how to access eShipGlobal eform.”

http://ois.jhu.edu/Immigration_and_Visas/For_New_Students_and_Scholars/Express Shipping through eShip Global/eShipGlobal_web_instructions.pdf


m. Enter required billing information

n. Click “Pay Now.”


Your shipping order is marked as “Paid.”o. Click “Print Receipt” for a copy of your order summary (optional)

3. OBTAINING THE I-20 FORMStep 3: Receiving your I-20



Step 3: Receive your I-20 Form.

• The JHU Office of international Services emails notification of shipment of your I-20 form.

• Monitor your mail for the document to reach you.

• Upon receipt, review your information for accuracy:

– The I-20 must match the machine-readable notation on the student’s passport, and thus will not include special characters such as a dash (-) or apostrophe (’), and many not include additional names that are not on that line.

Do not schedule an interview until you have received the I-20 Form in the mail

3. Obtaining the I-20 Form: Step 3 (Cont.)

Do not forget to sign.For students under 18 years old, it also requires a signature from parents/legal guardian.

Step 3: Receive your I-20 Form. (Cont.)

Locate:

• Your SEVIS ID number and

• JHU’s school code

Note:

• All I-20s are issued from JHU’s Homewood campus, regardless of the CTY location of your student.

• All courses are listed as Multi/Interdisciplinary studies.

• Earliest date to enter the U.S.

• Your assigned campus location.


If after you received your I-20:

a) the student changes CTY site: You can use the existing I-20. OIS will send you an email to acknowledge the change. CTY will provide a new course assignment letter via your MyCTY account .

b) the student is now attending a different session of CTY (different dates): even if attending the same location, a new I-20 needs to be issued, requiring a new eShipGlobal payment. Contact [email protected] after receiving your new course assignment letter via your MyCTY account.


4. APPLYING FOR THE F-1 VISACTY Student Visa Process

4. Applying for the F-1 visa

STEP 1: Pay the SEVIS (Form I-901) fee.

STEP 2: Complete the DS-160 Form.

STEP 3: Schedule a visa appointment.

STEP 4: Go to your visa interview.

JHU’s School Code is:BAL214F00051000

Apply Early for your visa. JHU cannot help if you encounter visa delays.

4. Applying for the F-1 visa (Cont.)

STEP 1: Pay the SEVIS (Form I-901) fee.

• Cost is $200 U.S.

• Pay online at: www.fmjfee.com

• Keep the payment receipt for the visa application and interview.

http://www.fmjfee.com/

4. Applying for the F-1 visa (Cont. 2)

STEP 2: Complete the DS-160 Form.

• Review photo requirements: http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/general/photos.html

• Complete your online non-immigrant visa application: https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/

• Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee is approximately $160 U.S.

http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/general/photos.html

https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/

4. Applying for the F-1 visa (Cont. 2b)

STEP 2 (cont.): Complete the DS-160 Form.

Important considerations:

• The visa type to look for is nonimmigrant visa.

• The F-1 visa is listed as: F-1 Student Visa, Public or Private College or University.

• When asked for a residential address while in the U.S., enter the CTY site address listed online at: http://cty.jhu.edu/summer/enrolled/visa-addresses.html (this is the campus address where students will be this summer at CTY.)

Why different contact addresses? There are different addresses in your paperwork:

• JHU’s Office of International Services that signs your I-20.

• CTY’s Baltimore office for questions about CTY Summer Programs and general paperwork.

• Mailing address of location where you will live in the U.S. while studying with CTY.

For immigration documents, use the addresses listed online at:http://cty.jhu.edu/summer/enrolled/visa-addresses.html

http://cty.jhu.edu/summer/enrolled/visa-addresses.html

http://cty.jhu.edu/summer/enrolled/visa-addresses.html


STEP 3: Schedule a visa appointment.

• Go to the U.S. Department of State website: http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en.html

• Locate your local U.S. Embassy/Consulate: http://www.usembassy.gov/

• Print the alpha-numeric barcode confirmation page for your interview.

Visa wait times vary by consulate location.

http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en.html

http://www.usembassy.gov/


STEP 4: Go to your visa interview.

• Prepare all your necessary documents.

• Parents go to interview for anyone

under 18 years of age.• The F-1 visa entry stamp is placed in

your passport.

Necessary documents for the interview:

• Passport

• Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 form)

• Documentation of your financial support

• Course Assignment Letter from CTY.

• SEVIS I-901 fee receipt (F-1)

• DS-160 confirmation page and fee receipt.

• Other applicable visa application forms and fees

• Any other documents required by your local U.S. Consulate

There is a visa stamp exception for Canada and

Bermuda

5. TRAVELING TO THE U.S. ON A STUDENT VISA


5. Traveling to the U.S. on a Student Visa

• Students are not permitted to enter the U.S. before the Earliest Admission Date stated on their I-20.

• Stay in the U.S. up to 60 days after end date of CTY program.

• Carry originals of all travel documents. Do not pack them in checked luggage!

Students MUST carry originals of these documents:• I-20 visa certificate• passport with F-1 entry visa

stamp• SEVIS I-901 fee receipt• copies of financial

documentation

5. Traveling to the U.S. on a Student Visa (Cont.)

• Special Considerations

– Do not enter the U.S. with a different passport than the one used in the visa process.

– Do not use a visa waiver or other visas besides the F-1 visa to enter the U.S.

– Contact [email protected] if you plan to enter the U.S. and travel outside the U.S. before your CTY program.

• If your student is going to another program of study after CTY, contact [email protected]. A SEVIS record transfer may be required.

If you have problems at the border/port of entry:

1. Remain calm.

2. Allow the border officers to resolve the problem.

3. Call the JHU Office of International Services at:

a. +1-667-208-7001 (Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST)

b. +1-443-240-1938 (emergency calls during other times)



6. Questions?• Visit:

http://cty.jhu.edu/summer/enrolled/international.html

• Contact the JHU Office of International Services. Email [email protected] or call 667-208-7001 only for visa or immigration related questions.

For non-visa questions:

• Review your International Student Guide

• Read your CTY site information packet (available via MyCTY).

• Email [email protected]

http://cty.jhu.edu/summer/enrolled/international.html



Have a great CTY summer!