Obtaining Your U.S. Student Visa
After you are admitted to Manhattan University, International Student and Scholar Services will help guide you through the next steps toward studying in the United States. For many international students and scholars, this includes receiving a Form I-20 or DS-2019, paying the I-901 SEVIS fee and applying for an F-1 or J-1 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
Use this page's information to understand the visa process, prepare for your visa interview and gather the documents you may need before traveling to Manhattan University in New York City.
Form I-20 and DS-2019
Once you have submitted the necessary documents for admission to Manhattan University, you will be issued a Form I-20 or DS-2019.
- Form I-20: The “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status” is issued by SEVP-certified schools and provides information about a student’s F-1 status.
View a sample Form I-20 - DS-2019: This form is used by the U.S. Department of State to administer the Exchange Visitor Program for J-1 students and scholars.
View a sample DS-2019
These forms allow students and scholars to seek an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate to obtain an F or J visa to enter the United States.
Form I-20
Form I-20 is issued by Manhattan University to an F-1 student to show that they have been admitted to study in the United States. It provides a summary of the student’s SEVIS record.
An F-1 student needs this form to:
- Pay the I-901 SEVIS fee
- Obtain a visa
- Enter the United States
- Reenter the United States when traveling
- Participate in employment or training opportunities
DS-2019
Form DS-2019 is issued by Manhattan University to a J-1 student or scholar to show identity and employment authorization. It provides a summary of the student’s or scholar’s SEVIS record.
A J-1 student or scholar needs this form to:
- Pay the I-901 SEVIS fee
- Obtain a visa
- Enter the United States
- Reenter the United States when traveling
- Participate in training opportunities
I-901 SEVIS Fee
After receiving your I-20 or DS-2019, you must pay the SEVIS fee to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The SEVIS fee can be paid online by credit card, by check, or by money order through the mail.
Please read all instructions fully before attempting to pay the fee. There are special instructions for students and scholars from Bermuda or Canada. If your visa has been denied, you do not need to pay the fee again if you reapply for the same visa within 12 months of the denial.
You are required to pay the SEVIS fee if:
- You are seeking an F-1 or J-1 visa from a U.S. embassy or consulate for initial attendance at a university or initial participation in an exchange program. The fee must be paid before applying for the visa.
- You will enter the United States in F-1 or J-1 status but are not required to have a visa. The fee must be paid before you apply for admission to the United States.
- You are applying for a change of status to F-1 or J-1. The fee must be paid before you submit your change of status application.
The fee is not required:
- For F-2 or J-2 dependents
- For J-1 participants in an exchange program sponsored by the U.S. federal government
- If your immigration status is F-1 or J-1 and you are transferring to another school, program or program category
- If you are requesting an extension of your program or course of study
- If you paid the fee but your application for an F-1 or J-1 visa was denied and, within 12 months of the denial, you reapply for the same status
- For a change of status application between F-1 and F-2
Option 1: Payment by Credit Card
The Department of Homeland Security accepts electronic submission of Form I-901 and payment of the SEVIS fee by credit card through the fee payment website.
Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee online
We strongly recommend that you use this option if possible. Follow the online instructions, print the payment confirmation screen and bring the payment verification with you to your visa interview.
Students and scholars from the following countries are not able to use the credit card option and must use another payment method:
- Cameroon
- Ghana
- Kenya
- Nigeria
Option 2: Payment by Western Union
This option allows Western Union to collect the SEVIS fee. It is only available in countries where Western Union offers its Quick Pay service. A properly completed Western Union receipt serves as immediate proof of payment for the visa interview.
- Fill out Form I-901 online. A payment coupon will be generated when you complete the form.
- Print a copy of the payment coupon and take it to your local Western Union location.
- Fill out the Quick Collect or Quick Pay form using the information found at the bottom of the printed coupon.
- Company Name or Code City: SEVISFEE or SEVISFEEMO
- Account Number: Coupon number
- Amount: The amount listed for your visa type
- Present the coupon and your payment to the Western Union agent for processing.
Please note that the payment amount may differ according to your specific visa type.
Payment will be linked to your Form I-901, and your online payment confirmation will be available immediately. You will be able to attend your visa appointment two to three days after your payment has posted.
Review SEVIS I-901 payment instructions
Option 3: Payment by Check or Money Order
When paying by check or money order, there are two options:
Internet-Generated Coupon
Students and scholars can visit the fee payment website, enter basic information, print a coupon and mail a check or money order with the coupon to the appropriate address. Once the information and fee are processed, SEVIS will be updated with the fee payment information.
Paper Option
Students and scholars can download or obtain Form I-901, complete it and mail it with a check or money order to the appropriate address. Once the information and fee are processed, SEVIS will be updated with the fee payment information.
In both cases, a receipt notice will be issued when the fee is processed. All checks and money orders must be made payable to the I-901 Student/Exchange Visitor Processing Fee. Only checks and money orders may be used when paying by mail. The check or money order must be made in U.S. dollars and drawn on a bank located in the United States.
P.O. Box Mailing Address:
I-901 Student/Exchange Visitor Processing Fee
P.O. Box 970020
St. Louis, MO 63197-0020
Street Address for Courier or Express Delivery:
I-901 Student/Exchange Visitor Processing Fee
3180 Rider Trail S.
Earth City, MO 63045
United States
Completing Form I-901
To complete Form I-901, you must have a Form I-20 or DS-2019 and Manhattan University’s school code.
- NYC214F00714000 for F-1 students with an I-20
- P-1-13181 for J-1 students and scholars with a DS-2019
Students and Scholars from Canada or Bermuda
Students and scholars from Canada and Bermuda are exempt from applying for a visa. You must provide SEVIS fee payment verification along with your I-20 or DS-2019 to an immigration inspector at the port of entry when applying for entry into the United States as an F-1 or J-1 student or scholar.
If Your Visa Is Denied
If your visa is denied, you may reapply for the visa within a 12-month period without having to pay the SEVIS fee again.
Dependents
If you have obtained an I-20 or DS-2019 for a spouse or children, they do not have to pay a SEVIS fee to apply for an F-2 or J-2 visa.
If You Are Admitted to More Than One School
If you have been accepted to more than one institution and paid the fee using the SEVIS ID number of another institution, but you wish to attend Manhattan University, you will not have to pay the fee again. Bring the I-20 or DS-2019 from both schools to the consulate or port of entry and tell the officer that you will be a student or scholar at Manhattan University.
Additional Information
Review additional SEVIS information
When to Apply for Your Visa
If you are currently abroad and do not yet have a valid U.S. student visa, you generally apply for one at the U.S. embassy or consulate with jurisdiction over your place of permanent residence. Although visa applicants may apply at any U.S. consular office abroad, it is generally more difficult to qualify for the visa outside the country of permanent residence.
You should apply for your student visa well in advance of the date you would like to depart for Manhattan. You are required to show proof that you have paid the Federal SEVIS I-901 Fee when you appear for your visa interview.
Holiday and vacation periods are very busy times at U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide. It is important to have your visa in time to arrive and begin orientation and registration activities no later than the start date on your I-20 or DS-2019. Appointments are mandatory for all student visas, and some U.S. embassies and consulates require appointments to be made at least four to eight weeks in advance. The actual visa interview may be as early as 120 days before your planned arrival date in the United States.
All U.S. embassies and consulates have websites where you can review the latest information on visa procedures.
Find a U.S. embassy or consulate
Learn more about applying for a visa
View student visa appointment wait times
What to Bring to Your Visa Interview
Be sure to bring the following with you to the visa appointment:
- Passport
- Required photo or photos
- Visa fee or proof of visa fee payment
- Federal SEVIS I-901 Fee payment receipt
- U.S. nonimmigrant visa application forms, unless you will complete them at the consulate or embassy
- Manhattan University admission letter
- Manhattan University SEVIS I-20 or SEVIS DS-2019
- Test scores and academic records
- Proof of English proficiency
- Proof of financial support
- Evidence of ties to your home country
- Any other documents required by the embassy or consulate
If you plan to attend Manhattan University, you must present the visa officer with an I-20 or DS-2019 issued by Manhattan University. You cannot apply for a U.S. visa using another school’s I-20 or DS-2019 and then try to attend Manhattan University.
Strategies for Your Visa Interview
Consider the following topics before your visa appointment, as you may be asked about each one.
Academics
Be clear about your educational plans. You should be able to explain what you wish to study and why you chose Manhattan University. Be prepared to explain your reasons for studying in the United States rather than in your home country.
English
Expect that the visa interview will be conducted in English. Do not bring parents or family members with you to the visa interview. The consular official will want to interview you directly. A negative impression may be created if you are not prepared to speak on your own behalf.
Ties to Your Home Country
Be prepared to demonstrate convincing reasons for consular officials to believe that you intend to return home after studying in the United States. Examples may include employment, family obligations, bank accounts, family members at home, property or investments, and a clear explanation of how you plan to use your education after returning home.
Financial Documentation
Be prepared to prove that you have the financial ability to pay for your education and living expenses. While some students may work part time during their studies, such employment is incidental to the main purpose of completing their education. You must show the consular officer that you have the annual amount in U.S. dollars listed on your I-20 or DS-2019. Financial evidence may include bank statements, affidavits of support or scholarship award letters.
Be Concise
Because of the volume of visa applications, consular officials are under pressure to conduct quick and efficient interviews. The first impression you create is important. Keep your answers short and to the point.
Not All Countries Are the Same
Applicants from countries experiencing economic challenges or from countries where many students have remained in the United States as immigrants may have more difficulty obtaining visas. Applicants from these countries may also be asked about job opportunities in the United States.
Dependents Remaining at Home
If you have a spouse or children remaining in your home country, be prepared to address how they will support themselves in your absence. If the consular official believes that your family members will need you to send money from the United States to support them, your student visa may be denied.
Visa Denial or Visa Delay
The vast majority of Manhattan University students are successful in obtaining their student visas. However, a small number of students may have their visa applications denied.
Common Reasons for Visa Denial
- Failure to prove sufficient ties to your home country
- Failure to provide sufficient evidence of financial support
Other reasons for visa denial may include health-related issues, criminal background, security risk, previous illegal entry to the United States, immigration status violations or other legal issues.
The visa officer must verbally inform you of the reason for the visa denial. If your visa is denied, please email studyabroad@manhattan.edu and provide the date and location of your visa interview, along with details about the reason given by the visa officer for the denial.
A visa delay is more common than a visa denial. This is why it is important to apply for your visa early.
Common Reasons for Visa Delays
- Closings or reduced hours at U.S. visa-issuing posts abroad due to security concerns or political instability in the host country
- The student’s or scholar’s record does not appear in the SEVIS system at the U.S. embassy or consulate, even though the student or scholar presents a SEVIS I-20 or DS-2019
- The student or scholar does not present proof of Federal SEVIS I-901 Fee payment
- A finding based on Section 221(g), which means that the visa officer found that the information provided at the visa interview was insufficient to support approval or denial of a visa
- The need for administrative processing before visa issuance if the visa applicant is determined to be pursuing a sensitive area of study
- The need for a security clearance before visa issuance if the visa applicant has ever been arrested in the United States or has a name identical or similar to a person with a previous arrest record
- The need for additional review based on U.S. Department of State requirements for certain visa applicants
- The U.S. Department of State requirement that nonimmigrant visa applicants be interviewed, which may create delays at visa-issuing posts around the world
If you are told that your SEVIS record does not appear in the visa officer’s system, contact International Student and Scholar Services and provide the date and location of your visa interview. ISSS will contact the appropriate authority to have your SEVIS record resubmitted directly to the location where you applied for your visa.
Similar to a visa denial, the visa officer must verbally inform you of the reason for a visa delay. If your visa is delayed, please email studyabroad@manhattan.edu and provide the date and location of your visa interview, along with details about the reason given by the visa officer for the delay.
Review U.S. Department of State student visa information
Special Note for Citizens of Canada
Citizens of Canada are not required to obtain a U.S. visa to enter the United States. However, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer will inspect your documents, either at a pre-inspection site in Canada or upon entry to the United States.
You must have the following with you:
- Your Canadian passport
- Your admission letter to Manhattan University
- Proof of Federal SEVIS I-901 Fee payment
- Your Manhattan University Certificate of Eligibility, Form I-20 or DS-2019
- Proof of financial support that corresponds to the information on your I-20 or DS-2019
It is essential that you enter the United States in the appropriate status, so be sure to have complete documentation with you.
Western Union Payment Instructions
International students and exchange visitors may use the instructions below to complete the I-901 SEVIS fee payment process through Western Union. Please select the appropriate guide based on your visa type.