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Step 1: Submit the VIDOF and Required Documents

After an international student is admitted to a particular program of study at Brandeis University, the first step in securing a student visa status is to complete and submit to the appropriate admissions office, the VIDOF (Visa Information / Declaration of Finances) form and required supporting documents.  VIDOFs are submitted electronically. 

All VIDOF forms are located to the right on this page.

The purpose of the VIDOF form is to assist the admissions office and the ISSO in collecting information necessary to issue a Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility. 

All incoming students who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents must be issued either a Form I-20 to apply for an F-1 visa stamp or Form DS-2019 to apply for a J-1 visa stamp at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate outside of the United States.  The F-1 or J-1 visa stamp will allow an international student to apply for entry in F-1 or J-1 student visa status at the U.S. Port-of-Entry.

Canadian Citizens:  Please note that while you are not required to apply for an F-1 or J-1 visa stamp at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate, you are required to obtain a Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility with which to apply for F-1 or J-1 student visa status upon entering the United States through the Port-of-Entry.

The majority of students that study at Brandeis will apply for the F-1 visa status using a Form I-20.  In certain cases, students who are receiving significant funding from a sponsor other than a friend or family member may request a Form DS-2019 to apply for the J-1 visa (see "Proof of Assured Funds (Required Financial Documentation"below).  

If you believe you are eligible for the J-1 visa and have questions as to which visa may be best for your situation, please contact the ISSO.

Click on the items in the chart below to see sample visa documents:

How to Submit the VIDOF and Required Documents

Please follow the steps below and submit the VIDOF and required documentation to the admissions office appropriate for your program of study  (as indicated on the VIDOF). 

• Complete and submit the VIDOF form that is appropriate for your intended program of study.  VIDOF forms for all programs are located to the right on this page.

• Submit a photocopy of your current Valid Passport  (Include the photo ID page and any extension pages)

• Submit Proof of Assured Funds (required financial documentation).  Please follow instructions on the VIDOF specific to your program of study to determine the amount of assured funds you need to provide according to your program's cost of attendance.

• If you have a spouse or unmarried child(ren) under the age of 21 accompanying you to the U.S. and you are requesting a visa document for your family member(s), please complete the Dependent Section on the VIDOF and submit a copy of each dependent's valid passport and additional financial support in the amount of $7,200 per dependent.  Note: students should anticipate that $7,200 is the minimum estimated dependent cost per year for each dependent.  Actual Dependent costs may be higher depending on lifestyle choices.  For more information on dependents, please see Dependents.

• For SEVIS Transfer Students:  If you are requesting to transfer your F-1 or J-1 student visa from a previous school (or from OPT/Academic Training) to Brandeis, please see Transfer SEVIS Record to Brandeis.

Proof of Assured Funds (Required Financial Documentation)

U.S. Federal law requires ISSO to verify immediate availability of assured funds for you to study at Brandeis. 

Students requesting a form I-20 to apply for the F-1 student visa are required to provide proof of assured funds to cover at minimum one full academic year. 

Students requesting the form DS-2019 to apply for the J-1 student visa are required to provide proof of assured funds to cover the entire duration of his or her academic program (of which at least 51% of this funding must be from sources other than personal or family/friend funding).

Any expenses not covered by Brandeis financial aid (i.e. scholarships/loans/fellowships/assistantships), must be covered through Personal, Family or Outside Sponsored funds. 

To verify the availability of such funds, we require that all students submit the following items:

• Bank Statement(s) or Bank Letter(s) which verifies the availability of funds in each bank account that will be drawn upon to cover your program costs.  Bank statements or letters must include the account holder(s) name(s), account balance, balance date, and currency type.

• If the bank statement/letter which provides proof of sufficient funds belongs to anyone other than the student, the bank statement must also be accompanied by a Sponsorship Letter.

• An official Award Letter from each organization granting you a scholarship or loan, stating the terms and the exact amount of the award.  Please note that if you are using a loan as proof of funding, your loan(s) must be approved prior to the ISSO issuing a Form I-20 or DS-2019.

Students will be required to provide such original financial documentation and support letters to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate at the time of their visa appointment. 

Students may also be asked to provide these original documents to the officer at the port-of-entry upon entry to the United States.  

Please Note:  Bank documents must be dated no more than 9 months prior to the start of the student's academic program at Brandeis and must include a specific balance or a minimum specific balance (in U.S. Dollars or foreign currency).  Bank documents verifying that an account holder is "in good standing" but does not indicate a specific balance will not be sufficient.

All documents should be provided in English or should be accompanied by an official English translation.

All funding sources must be liquid and transferable to the U.S.

Average Estimated Certificate of Eligibility Processing Time

Once the VIDOF and required documents have been received by the admissions office, your complete file will be forwarded to the ISSO for Certificate of Eligibility processing.  Lack of proper documentation or incomplete information as noted below and on the VIDOF form will delay issuance of your Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20 or DS-2019).

On average, Certificates of Eligibility (Form I-20 or Form  DS-2019) will be express mailed to students within one month of the appropriate admissions office receiving ALL required documents.  These documents will be express mailed to students directly from the admissions office (not from the ISSO). 

Students will receive additional information regarding payment of the SEVIS Fee and securing a Visa Interview when they receive their Form I-20 or Form DS-2019.

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Continue to Step 2: Pay the SEVIS Fee