The following information is provided to help you get to New Paltz in valid status and in conformance with the regulations of the United States Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services. Please carefully read and follow the procedures that apply to you.
Information for prospective F-1 Students Outside the United States
Qualifying for an I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for F-1 Student Status
In order to qualify for a student visa, you must first obtain the form I-20. This immigration document confirms your admission to SUNY New Paltz and your eligibility for F-1 Student status. The first step to getting an I-20 is admission to the academic program. With the undergraduate application, you will be asked to provide documentation of your ability to finance your studies in the United States. Please keep in mind that you will need to provide the same and possibly additional information when you apply for your visa.
When all the documents are complete, we will issue the I-20 form and mail it to the address you provide. Please keep us informed of any change in your address. At the time the I-20 is issued, complete information about your academic program is entered into the Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and this information is made available to all United States Consulates and Ports of Entry.
Applying for an F-1 Entry Visa
The first thing you should do is apply at the United States Consulate for an F-1 Student visa. To qualify for your F-1 entry visa, which gives you permission to enter the U.S., you will need to take your I-20, original financial documents, your valid passport, two passport-size (37 mm x 37 mm) photographs and a fee. The amount of the fee and the method of paying it vary from country to country so contact the United States Consulate in your country for specific information. If your spouse or dependent children will enter the US with you, their relevant information should be included on page 4 of your I-20 and you should also have passports, photos and financial documents for each applicant over 16 years of age. You may need to provide documents that prove your family relationship such as a marriage certificate or birth certificate.
You will want to locate the US Consulate nearest to you and learn the specific procedure for making application for an F-1 Visa. You will find this information through the Web site of the United States Department of State. The Embassy of the United States in Ankara Turkey has helpful information posted on their Web site.
You may also find information you need at the Istanbul consular Web site.
Original documents will be necessary with your application for an F-1 Student Visa. The Consular Officer will require you to provide the same (and possibly additional) financial documentation you provided SUNY New Paltz. You will be required to show this complete documentation again upon arrival in the United States at the port of entry.
The consulate will provide you with form OF-156 (Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form) and any supplementary forms required by the particular Consulate. On occasion, a Consular Officer may require evidence of English proficiency sufficient to pursue your proposed program of studies. Applications are usually made in person although some Consulates will permit applications by mail with interviews if needed. 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.
Individual procedures and the amount of time required to obtain a visa vary from country to country. The Consular Officer has the final word on your application; his or her judgment is not subject to review. If, for any reason, you should encounter difficulties, please contact the SUNY New Paltz International Student Advisor. The advisor's e-mail address is international@newpaltz.edu
If you are unable to obtain an F-1 entry visa before coming to the United States, please contact the International Student Advisor as soon as you can to discuss your options. If you enter the United States in B-1 or B-2 visitor status you will not be permitted to pursue a full time degree program and you may not be able to change to a status that will allow you to study here. We strongly advise you to enter the United States in F-1 student status only.
