International Student Welcome Guide

Travel documents and entry procedures

Certificate of eligibility

Your certificate of eligibility will be either an I-20 or DS-2019, depending on whether you are coming to the U.S. on an F or J student visa. Look in the top right corner of your document to determine which type you have.

  • I-20: Used to apply for a student visa in the F category.
  • DS-2019: Used to apply for a student visa in the J category.

Review your certificate of eligibility to ensure that the information is correct and complete by using the guidelines below. If information needs to be changed or added, contact the MU office that issued your document:

If you have an I-20

Review the following fields:

  • Personal information (should match your passport)
    • Name: Last/family, first/given, middle
    • Country of birth
    • Country of citizenship
    • Date of birth
  • Level of education
    • The degree you plan to earn while at MU (e.g., bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate)
  • Course of study
    • Field of study
    • Date when you should arrive at MU (you may enter the U.S. up to 30 days prior to this date)
  • Source of funding
    • Should be the same source as indicated in your MU admissions materials

If you have a DS-2019

Review the following fields:

  • Personal information (should match your passport)
    • Name: Last/family, first/given, middle
    • Country of birth
    • Country of citizenship
    • Date of birth
  • Time period
    • Start date (you may enter the U.S. up to 30 days prior to this date)
  • Exchange visa category
    • Should say “student” followed by the degree you plan to earn while at MU (e.g., bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate)
    • Your field of study should be listed under “subject”
  • Source of funding
    • Should be the same as indicated in your MU admissions
    • Materials

Dependents

A dependent is a spouse or child who will accompany you to the United States. If you have dependents who will be coming with you, each of those dependents should have their own certificate of eligibility. You do not need to pay an additional SEVIS fee for your dependents.

Contact International Student and Scholar Services immediately if you need a certificate of eligibility for a dependent who will accompany you. You will be required to show that you have an additional $4,000 USD to financially support each dependent.

If you decide that you want your dependent(s) to join you after you arrive at MU, ISSS can give you documents for them at that time.

U.S. student visa

After you check that the information on your I-20/DS-2019 is correct, immediately make an appointment with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate to apply for your student visa. It may take several months to receive a decision on your student visa application, so you should start the process as soon as possible. You may apply for your visa at any time, but in some countries, you will not receive the visa in your passport until four months prior to your program start date.

You should apply at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate with jurisdiction over your place of permanent residence. Although you may apply at any U.S. consular office, it can be more difficult to qualify for the visa outside of your home country.

Required documentation

The visa application process may vary by country. You should visit the website of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you will be applying to get a list of the requirement documents for student visa applicants. Typically, you must pay a nonrefundable fee and submit the following:

  • Form DS-160 (some applicants will also be required to submit a form DS-157). All forms must be completed and signed.
    • A separate form is needed for children, even if they are included in a parent’s passport. Blank forms are available without charge at all U.S. consular offices and on the U.S. Department of State website.
  • Passport valid for travel to the U.S. and with a validity date at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the United States. If more than one person is included in your passport, each person desiring a visa must complete an application.
  • One photograph for each applicant that meets U.S. Department of State requirements.
  • Your I-20/DS-2019.
  • Receipts showing payment of visa application and SEVIS fees.
  • Evidence of sufficient funding to cover your period of intended study.

Other documentation

You must establish to the satisfaction of the consular officer that you have binding ties to a residence in a foreign country, which you have no intention of abandoning and that you will depart the U.S. when you have completed your studies. It is impossible to specify the exact form of that evidence because applicants’ circumstances vary greatly.

You should also think about and articulate how your chosen program of study in the U.S. fits into your academic and career plans in your home country.

SEVIS fee

In addition to a visa processing fee, you will be charged a SEVIS fee. The Student Exchange Visitor Information System creates your immigration record and certificate of eligibility. The system requires a fee and payment procedures may vary by country. Refer to the SEVIS fee website for more information.  

Department of State information

The U.S. Department of State has a great website with a lot of useful information for international students. Go to the EducationUSA website to learn more about:

  • Applying for the student visa
  • Financial aid resources
  • Definitions and helpful terms
  • Living in the U.S. (social customs and more)

U.S. entry procedures

F and J student visa holders may enter the U.S. up to 30 days prior to the program start date listed on the certificate of eligibility. All students must arrive prior to the mandatory International Student Welcome. Notify International Student and Scholar Services at isss@missouri.edu as soon as possible if you will not be able to enter the U.S. in time to attend for any reason.

When you arrive in the U.S., an officer from Customs and Border Protection will review your documents at the port of entry before you are admitted to the country. Have the following documents ready for the CBP officer to review:

  • Passport — Biographical booklet issued by a national government to its citizens to allow for travel to other countries and return to their home countries. Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your intended period of stay.
    • The CBP officer will review your passport and student visa, and will stamp your passport to indicate the date and place you arrived in the United States.
  • Certificate of eligibility (I-20/DS-2019)
    • The CBP officer will stamp and make a notation on this document as well.
    • You must show the certificate of eligibility for the school you plan to attend. If you applied to multiple schools in the U.S., you must show the I-20/DS-2019 that lists the school you will actually attend.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has the authority to deny admission into the United States. If you have difficulty entering the U.S., contact International Student and Scholar Services and ask to speak to an adviser:

  • 8 a.m.–5 p.m. CT Monday–Friday — +1 573-882-6007
  • All other times (MU Police will connect you with an adviser) — +1 573-882-7201

I-94

Your I-94 is your arrival and departure record, which tracks when you enter and leave the United States. This is an electronic record and can be accessed on the I-94 website.

This record proves your current immigration status and your legal entry into the United States. It should say F-1 or J-1, depending on your student status. It will also say D/S, which stands for duration of status. This means you are permitted to remain in the U.S. until you complete your program as long as you are legally maintaining your status. Every time you exit and re-enter the U.S. in F-1 or J-1 status, you will receive a new I-94 record.

More information about what to expect at the border is available on the Customs and Border Protection website.

Transferring to MU

This information applies only to students currently attending another U.S. institution.

You must notify your current school that you have decided to attend the University of Missouri. Your immigration record will then be transferred electronically via SEVIS to MU. When you check in with International Student and Scholar Services, please inform the adviser that you are a transfer student.

You must check-in with ISSS within 15 days of orientation to complete the transfer process. After you check in, ISSS will print a new continued-attendance I-20/DS-2019 for you noting that your transfer is complete.

ISSS will not issue a transfer-pending I-20 unless you are traveling.

Refer to Transfer to Mizzou for more information.