Yale School of Music

 


Applying for a Student Visa

  1. Required Financial Certification. Complete and return the required financial certification documents, to the School of Music.
  2. E-mail from OISS. You will receive an e-mail from the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) requesting information. You must respond to this e-mail.
  3. F-1 or J-1. Almost all international students come to the Yale School of Music using the F-1 student visa. However, students using a significant amount of non-personal funds to finance their Yale education may prefer and be eligible for J-1 status, particularly if their spouse is accompanying them and wants to work in the U.S. Learn more about the difference.
  4. Issuing the I-20. With the required personal data and financial certification documents, the U.S. Government Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) will produce the form I-20 (or DS-2019 for J-1 status). The Yale School of Music will send your I-20 to you by FedEx.
  5. SEVIS Fee. All new students applying for F-1 or J-1 status — with the exception of those currently studying in the U.S. — must pay a SEVIS fee ($200 for F-1 status). Pay online.
  6. Applying for the Student Visa. Apply early! After you receive your I-20, the next step is to apply for a student visa at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy. Check the home page of the particular U.S. consulate or embassy to make sure you have all the required forms and fees. Student visas can be issued as early as 120 days before the beginning date noted on the I-20 form, so we encourage students to apply as early as possible. Students in certain countries and/or studying in certain fields may experience lengthy delays in the processing of their student visa applications.
  7. Canadian Students. Students who are citizens of Canada are not required to obtain a student visa from the U.S. Embassy. They must, however, obtain an I-20 from Yale University and present the I-20 and a valid passport at the U.S. port of entry. Be absolutely certain (especially if driving across the border) that you receive an I-94 card at the port of entry marked “F-1” (or “J-1”).
  8. Entering the U.S. You cannot enter the U.S. more than 30 days prior to the start date printed on your I-20 form. At the U.S. port of entry, you must present your I-20 form (or DS-2019 for J-1 status) and your passport with a valid visa stamp.
  9. If you are already in the U.S. and need to transfer your F-1 student status, please carefully read these instructions.
  10. If you are in the U.S. in another status (such as H-1B), it is recommended that you depart the U.S. and return with a student visa. For more information, please contact Monica Weeks in the OISS to make the necessary arrangements.

If you have questions or concerns, please e-mail OISS or look through the OISS website.