Applying for a Student Visa

*** IMPORTANT: Read this entire page before accessing the I-20/DS-2019 Request Form below. ***

The information below provides you with an overview of the steps you must complete prior to your arrival in the U.S.:

I-20/DS-2019 Request Form


To apply for a student visa you must first obtain a “Certificate of Eligibility for Non-Immigrant F-1 Status” (also known as the I-20) or a “Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor J-1 Status” (also known as the DS-2019).

After acceptance, all international students must first complete the I-20/DS-2019 Request Form and submit it directly to their admitting office at NU. The admitting office will forward the Form, along with all necessary supporting documents, to the IO for processing.

I-20/DS-2019 Request Form


Find your program within the list on Important Forms. Follow its link to access your program’s I-20/DS-2019 Request Form. The form can be completed online, and must be printed and signed before submitting to the appropriate admitting office. Do not submit the form to the International Office directly.
 
IMPORTANT: If your program is not listed, use the form under the link labeled All Other Programs.

Processing the I-20/DS-2019 Request Form


The IO will notify you via e-mail once we’ve received your I-20/DS-2019 Request Form and materials from your admitting office. We will contact your admitting office, or your department in the case of students admitted through The Graduate School (TGS), once your document has been processed. They will mail the document to you (be sure to provide an up-to-date, physical mailing address; i.e. no post office boxes).

  • Provide all of the required information on the I-20/DS-2019 Request Form. Failure to do so may result in a delay of the issuance of your document.
  • Complete applications will take approximately 3-4 weeks to process at the IO.
  • Contact the IO ONLY if there is an error on your I-20 or DS-2019, or if you have specific questions about choosing the proper visa category. intadmit@northwestern.edu.

NOTE: Due to the large number of inquires the IO receives between the months of March and July we will not be able to answer inquiries concerning the status of your I-20 or DS-2019.

Obtaining a F-1 or J-1 U.S. Visa Stamp Abroad


Once you obtain the I-20 or DS-2019 you must pay the SEVIS fee and apply for a U.S. visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate outside of the U.S. Information pertaining to visa appointments can be found on the U.S. Department of State’s website. Application guidelines and materials vary by country; check the website of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you will be applying for the visa stamp to obtain the visa application and determine the specific requirements. Please do not make your visa appointment until you have obtained your I-20 or DS-2019 from NU.
 

Check-in at the International Office Required Upon Arrival in the U.S.

In most cases, you may enter the U.S. in student status up to 30 days prior to the start date listed on your Form I-20 or Form DS-2019. All international students, including students transferring from another U.S. institution must check-in with the IO as soon as possible after arrival in the U.S. Information about mandatory new student orientation will be sent out via e-mail in the coming months.

Pre-Departure Resources:

Consular Resources: