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Pre-Arrival Information
Admission Documents | Pre-Arrival and Orientation Guide | U.S. Visa Information | Review of Immigration Documents
Admission Documents and Correspondence Applicants who successfully turn in all required documents, and who meet the admission requirements should expect to receive their Admission Packet within two weeks depending on the shipping option selected. Newly admitted students should expect to receive the following documents in their Admission Packet:
You should continue to check your e-mail for important information about confirming your visa issuance, airport pick-up, housing, orientation, network account set-up, deferral or cancelation. Please continue to keep your e-mail address updated and check for messages from global@wou.edu or buncale@wou.edu.
Pre-Arrival and Orientation Guide * Download the complete Pre-Arrival and Orientation Guide here. (PDF) In the Pre-Arrival and Orientation Guide you can learn about:
Visa Information | Getting your U.S. Visa | What to Expect at the Airport/Port of Entry | A Review of Immigration Documents
After being admitted to Western Oregon University, and proving that you have sufficient funds to cover your first academic year of study in the U.S., you should be issued an I-20 or DS-2019 immigration document.
Important things to remember:
Before applying for a visa, it is recommended that you have general knowledge about visas, know any conditions that your visa has, and understand the rules and regulations international students must follow.
The Travel.State.Gov website offers up-to-date information about visas and forms. It is highly recommended that you read this site.
The Education USA website offers information for international students planning to study in the U.S. and provides support and resources in countries around the world. Visit an Advising Center in your home country to learn what it offers.
Getting your U.S. Visa
Contact the U.S. Embassy in the country you will apply for a visa in. Each Embassy or Consulate may require different or additional information for the visa application process.
First, you will need to set up a visa appointment. Most of the time, this can be done online and you may need your I-20 or DS-2019 information to complete the visa appointment time registration.
Required Documents Each applicant for a student visa must submit these forms and documentation as explained below.
Other Documents (with certified English translations) All applicants should be prepared to provide:
The Visa Interview and Questions The Immigration and National Act has a strict set of requirements which must be met by applicants to qualify for the student visa. At the visa interview, the consular officer will be able to determine in a few minutes whether you qualify for the visa or not. It is important that you are prepared and know the qualifications for obtaining a student visa. You must:
You should expect the interview to be conducted in English and not in your native language. Since time is limited, keep your answers to the officer's questions short and to the point. Be confident and polite because the initial impressions you create are critical to your success.
Click on the picture to see commonly asked U.S. Visa Interview Questions and Tips.
If you are denied a student visa, get the reasons you were denied in writing and ask the officer for a list of documents he or she would suggest you bring in order to overcome the refusal. Contact the ISSA office if we would be able to help or if you will need to defer your I-20/DS-2019 to a future term.
What to Expect at the Airport/ Port of Entry
First you will need to plan your arrival. Review the Travel Arrangement page to learn more information about airport pick-up dates, and arrival information. Know that you should not make travel arrangements until your visa has been confirmed, and that you may be refused entry if you arrive more than 30 days before the Program Start Date listed on the I-20 or DS-2019.
Follow the links for up-to-date detailed arrival information specific to each status:
Highlights of what to expect upon arrival:
A Review of Immigration Documents I-94? Admission Number? D/S? Visa? DS-2019? All these terms can get confusing for an international student. In this section, we will explain the important documents and terms. Look at the documents that you do have, and make sure all the information on them is correct.
Passport A passport is a document issued by your government which certifies your identity and nationality. The passport Biography or ID page has your surname (last name), given (first) name, date of birth, sex, place of birth, and nationality. Look at the date of expiry, you should plan to renew or extend your passport at least six months before it expires. If you travel on an expired/soon to expire passport, it may cause difficulties.
U.S. Visa After applying at the U.S. Consulate abroad, and successfully passing the requirements, a US Visa will be placed inside your passport. A US visa is used for entry to the United States only; at the US port-of-entry (in the airport) the US Immigration Inspector will make the final decision about your admission to the US. Review your visa as soon as you get it at the US Embassy or Consulate abroad.
*A J-1 Exchange Visitor should only enter the US with the visa that has the school's (or program) name noted on it, even if the visa has not yet expired. If you change schools or programs, you must obtain a visa with the new program name noted on it before entering or re-entering the US.
I-20/DS-2019 SEVIS Document The I-20 (for F visa holders) or DS-2019 (for J visa holders) is an immigration document given to applicants by a government approved school, which certifies that the applicant has been admitted to a full-time study program and that they have demonstrated sufficient financial resources to stay in the US. Dependents will be issued a “Dependent I-20 or DS-2019” to obtain a dependent visa.
An I-20 or DS-2019 is issued after an international applicant is admitted to Western Oregon University. The admitted student’s name, birth date, citizenship, nationality, program information, and funding are entered into a US government database called SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System). The number in the upper-right corner is the student’s individual SEVIS Number.
Any change to the information on the I-20 or DS-2019 needs to be reported within 10 days to the Designated School Official (DSO) who is the International Student Advisor or SEVIS Coordinator. Updates or changes to the I-20 or DS-2019 will be entered into the SEVIS system and a new I-20 or DS-2019 will be produced. All immigration documents should be kept and not thrown away- they may be needed later to prove your immigration history. Failure to maintain and keep your I-20/DS-2019 updated may result in losing your immigration status.
The terms and conditions of an F-1 or J-1 student are listed on page 2 of the I-20 and page 2 of the DS-2019. It is important that F-1 or J-1 students read this page to understand the rules that apply to their stay in the US, however some of the procedures have changed so contact the ISSA office to discuss your situation.
I-94 Card The I-94 Form is a white card, usually distributed on the airplane before landing at the port-of-entry to the US, which is stapled into your passport. Since you personally fill it out, it is important that you complete it correctly. To correct a mistake it costs around $320 dollars!!! The I-94 form has you write your family name, first (given) name, birth date (day/month/year) and country of citizenship. Make sure you write clearly, in ink, so that the information matches your passport. Most mistakes are made in the birth date’s order.
If you notice any mistakes, or if the officer forgets to stamp the I-94, you should correct it IMMEDIATELY! It is much easier to make the necessary corrections at the Port of Entry upon arrival rather than later. It is always okay to ask questions if you are unsure.
*Duration of Status means that students may stay in the country until the completion of their program, as long as the student always maintains legal F-1 or J-1 status. This is true even if the visa has expired.
The 11-digit number on the I-94 is called your "admission” or “departure number". This number and your SEVIS number are used by the USCIS to identify you during your stay in the US. When you leave the US (unless traveling to Canada, Mexico, or certain adjacent islands for less than 30 days) your I-94 card should be removed from your passport to mark your departure. A new I-94 will be given to you when you reenter the US.
NSEERS and Special Registration Some students may be required to register in program called Special Registration, based on a variety of factors including country of citizenship or birth. If you are subject to Special Registration, you should be given instructions on a special departure procedure you must follow in the future, and your I-94 card will be notated with a "FIN Number or NSEERS."
Documents to bring to the U.S. Plan to bring with you to the United States any important documents that relate to your legal, medical, and academic history. You should bring notarized/certified copies of the original document with the notarized/certified English translation:
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Contact
International Students and Scholars Affairs ph:503-838-8425 fax:503-838-8338 | or e-mail: global@wou.edu |
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MissionWestern Oregon University | 345 N. Monmouth Ave. | Monmouth OR 97361 | 503-838-8000(V/TTY) | 1-877-877-1593 | webmaster@wou.edu Text only
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