Visa Application Process

Most students enter the United States on an F-1 (student) visa to be enrolled in a full-time degree program. To be eligible for this visa, they must obtain a Form I-20 “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status” issued by the University where they plan to study. Dependents of an F-1 visa holder are classified as F-2. Spouses in F-2 status may not accept employment in the U.S. or be full time students. Part-time study is allowed but only as avocational or recreational in nature. F-2 children are allowed to study in elementary and secondary schools.

Some students enter the U.S. on a J-1 “Exchange Visitor” visa. This visa is for people who are participating in an Exchange Visitor Program administered by the U.S. Department of State for the purpose of educational and cultural exchange. Participants of this program (such as Reciprocity students) must have the form DS-2019 “Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status” issued by the program sponsor in order to apply for a J-1 visa. Dependents of a J-1 visa holder are classified as J-2. These individuals may study and are eligible to work upon obtaining employment authorization from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS).

International Student Services will mail you the form I-20 (for F-1 visa) or DS-2019 (for J-1 visa) after you have been admitted to the university and submitted the required evidence of financial support. The Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20 or Form DS-2019) must be presented together with your unexpired passport and evidence of financial support as well as other required documents at the U.S. Consulate or Embassy when you apply for an F-1 student or a J-1 student visa.

If you are now studying at a U.S. university and planning to study at the Bowling Green State University, you must be in valid F-1 status to be eligible for transfer. Upon your admission to Bowling Green State University, you will receive a letter from International Student Services explaining the transfer procedure and listing documents that must be submitted to International Student Services before the form I-20 “Transfer Pending” will be issued and sent to you.

Upon arrival to Bowling Green, you must come to International Student Services with your immigration documents and the I-20 “Transfer Pending” to complete your transfer and receive a new I-20 “Transfer Completed” verifying your valid F-1 status as a student at Bowling Green State University.

Please remember that your transfer should be completed no later than within two weeks of the starting semester. Failure to do so results in the violation of your nonimmigrant status.

If you plan to leave the U.S. before attending Bowling Green State University, please be sure to get the Form I-20 “Transfer Pending” before your re-entry so that you may use this form to re-enter the U.S. or to apply for a new visa at the U.S. Consulate or Embassy, if necessary.

Note: If you are out of status, you need to discuss reinstatement to valid status with International Student Services.

The University does not require you to change your status to F-1 or J-1 student status to be enrolled. However, if you are in F-2 status, immigration regulations require that you change your status to F-1 before enrolling in a university. If you want to change from your present status to student or exchange visitor visa status, please contact International Student Services.

If your application is denied, the Consular Officer is required to give you an explanation in writing. You do have the right to apply a second time, but if you reapply, make sure to prepare much more carefully. The Consular Officer will want to see fresh evidence sufficient to overcome the reasons for the first denial.

If you have been issued a visa to enter the United States, you will not be allowed to enter the country more than 30 days before the start of your program.

U.S. immigration law governs the entry of all visitors to the United States, including students and exchange visitors. It details what they are authorized to do during their stay in the country. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is the agency responsible for ensuring that these visitors comply with U.S. law and regulations. When you arrive in the United States, you come under the authority of the Department of Homeland Security, and one of the three units within DHS responsible for non-U.S. citizens: the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection; the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement; and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Bureau.

On your plane to the U.S. or when you arrive in the U.S., you will receive a Form I-94 (Arrival-Departure Record). Please safeguard this form; it contains the official record of your admission, your nonimmigrant status and the period of authorized stay in the United States. For more information about arriving in the U.S., see

"Arriving at a U.S. Port of Entry --- What a Student can Expect," (for F-1/J-1) 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Web site

After you arrive in Bowling Green, you are required to attend the International Student Services' Orientation Session where immigration rules will be discussed and handouts on maintaining valid status will be provided to you. You may also schedule a meeting with International Student Services to discuss any questions or concerns you have about immigration regulations and requirements.