Next Steps for Admitted Students Part 1:
Applying for your F-1 Student Visa
What is it?
The SEVIS I-901 fee is required to be paid by all F-1 visa applicants to fund the Student and exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), which is used to monitor schools and students during their stay in the U.S.
Steps:
- Have your I-20 available. You will need it to fill out the form. Make sure you are able to print from your computer, as you will need to print your receipt.
- Go to: fmjfee.com/i901fee/index.jsp and follow the prompts. Study in the states has a video about how to pay the fee: http://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/2013/10/i-901-sevis-fee-payment-tutorial
- Once you submit your payment, a payment confirmation will be displayed, which is a I-797C form. Print this for your records.
- You can check on your payment, or reprint your confirmation by visiting: https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/desktop/checkstatus/loadSearchPage.do
What is it?
The DS-160 form is the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application that every F-1 visa applicant must complete.
Steps:
- Go to the DS-160 Online Application website.
- Choose the location where you will be applying for your visa and start your application.
- Fill out the form with your personal information, travel plans, and U.S. contact details.
- Submit the form and print the confirmation page with the barcode. This will be needed for your visa appointment.
What is it?
The Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee is a non-refundable visa application fee required for your visa interview.
Steps:
- Follow the instructions to pay the MRV fee. Payment methods include bank transfer, credit card, or cash at designated locations.
- Save the receipt. You will need the receipt number to schedule your visa appointment.
What is it?
After paying the MRV fee, you need to schedule your visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or consulate. For a preview of the estimated wait times, visit travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/general/wait-times.html
Steps:
- Click on "Schedule Appointment" on the bottom of the page and select the type of visa (F-1) and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
- Choose a date and time for your interview.
- Print the appointment confirmation.
- Once your appointment is scheduled, then email LCC International Programs at international@lowercolumbia.edu with the date of your scheduled visa appointment.
What is it?
The visa interview is the final step where a consular officer will determine if you qualify for the F-1 visa. Preparing well is essential.
Steps:
- Gather all required documents:
- Form I-20 (provided by LCC)
- DS-160 confirmation page
- SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
- Visa appointment confirmation
- Valid passport
- Recent passport-size photo
- Financial documents proving you can cover tuition and living expenses
- Transcripts and diplomas from previous schools
- Test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, etc.)
- Any other documents requested by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
- Carefully read NAFSA’s “10 Points to Remember When Applying for a Nonimmigrant Visa” Tips for Visa interview. https://www.nafsa.org/findresources/Default.aspx?id=8643
- Arrive at the embassy or consulate at least 15 minutes before your appointment with all your documents.
- During the interview, answer all questions honestly and confidently.
- If your visa is denied, you can re-apply for a visa by re-paying the Visa Application Fee (MRV Fee) and applying for another interview. Please see: The Visa Denial Webpage for detailed information about denials and reapplying. Please note: LCC will only issue one additional I-20 if you postpone your attendance due to a visa denial.
- If your visa is approved, you will be informed how and when you will receive your passport with the visa. Make sure to keep all documents safe and follow any additional instructions given by the consulate. Please inform the International Programs of the outcome by emailing international@lowercolumbia.edu.
Next Steps for Admitted Students Part 2:
After you Receive your Student Visa
Step 1: Confirm Intent to Enroll
As soon as you receive your visa, tell us! This is your transition from an Admitted Student to an Incoming Student - it is exciting!
Within one week of receiving your visa, you must reply to the offer of admission to confirm your intent to enroll at the college. You can confirm by email to international@lowercolumbia.edu.
Step 2: Apply for Housing
As soon as you receive your visa, secure your housing!
See our housing page for detailed information about housing options and costs.
You are required to inform us of your housing arrangements, regardless if you will live in Campus Housing or off-campus. If you have not confirmed your housing before the First Term Payment deadline, then your I-20 will be canceled. We cannot support students who arrive on campus who have not previously secured housing.
Admitted students will be provided a link to the Campus Housing Application.
If you will not live in LCC Campus Housing, then you submit the Notice of Off-Campus Living.
After you submit the Campus Housing Application, you will be provided with a Campus Housing Agreement to review and sign.
Step 3: Take Placement Tests
As soon as you receive your visa, take your placement tests!
We will provide you with instructions on how to activate your ctcLink. ctcLink is your student portal, which will generate your student ID, student email, and enable you to engage the LCC systems.
Admitted students will receive instructions from LCC International Programs on how to take these virtual placement tests. These tests help us place you in the appropriate class level.
Completion of these tests are required before you register for classes.
Step 4: Register for Classes
As soon as you receive your visa, we will register your first term classes!
Schedule a virtual advising appointment with the LCC International Programs Office to register for classes.
Step 5: Pay First Term Tuition and Fees
After you are registered for class, pay your first term tuition and fees. The deadline is before you arrive.
After you have received your visa and before your arrival at LCC, you are required to pay the full tuition and fees for your first term. You will receive your First Term bill after you have been registered for classes. Please visit the How to Apply webpage for your deadline, and the Tuition and Fees webpage for details about the First Term Payment.
Step 6: Prepare To Arrive In the U.S. and At Lower Columbia College
After you confirm your intent to enroll, book your flight to Longview, Washington!
- Schedule your flight to arrive on new international student arrival day. Flights must be booked to arrive at Portland International Airport (PDX). If you have not arranged for us to pick you up, you will be required to arrange for your own transportation from the airport.
- Submit New Student Arrival Form. All students must report their arrival information. If you do not, we will not be prepared for your arrival, and may not be able to assist you.
- For your trip: make sure you bring your passport, I-20, I-797C, admission letter, and airport pick-up information. Bring it with you on the plane and do not put it with your checked baggage!
- Medical and dental expenses in the USA are very high. We recommend that you take care
of the following before you depart your home country
- Go to the dentist, get your teeth cleaned, and have any needed procedures done
- Go to the doctor for a check-up, and get any prescription medication you may need to bring with you
- If you wear glasses or contacts, get your eyes checked and know your prescription. If you need new glasses, get them at home. If you wear disposable contacts, get as many as you can to bring with you.
- If you are in a program that will require vaccines (health fields, education) bring your proof of vaccination card with you to the USA.
- If you have any specific products you cannot live without (such as hair styling products or a favorite kind of face-wash) research if you can get it in the USA. If you cannot, you may want to bring some of this item with you.
- Research what you can and cannot bring into the USA. This is a great resource from the US Government: Don't Pack A Pest.
- If you have any traditional-style clothing from your culture, bring an outfit for culture celebration events
- You can get most anything in the USA, but it might vary from what you are accustomed
to back home. Trying new things is part of the adventure of travel, so we encourage
you to pack light. Here is a suggested packing list compiled by our current international
students:
- Laptop Computer (or money to buy one here)
- Umbrella
- Clothes for hot, warm, cool, and cold weather
- Waterproof shoes
- Your driver's license
- Gym clothes / shoes
- Hiking / outdoor clothes
- Small trinkets from your home country to offer as gifts
- A sense of humor