Step 3: Prepare for Your Entry to the U.S.
You will need to have the following documents:
Passport
If you do not have a passport you must obtain one from your government passport office. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States (unless exempt by
country-specific agreements). Each individual who needs a visa must submit a separate application, including any family members listed in your passport.
Form I-20 or Form DS-2019
After you have submitted your VIDOF, received your Form I-20/DS-2019 from Brandeis University, and paid your SEVIS fee, most students will need to apply for a visa. You
should schedule a visa appointment at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Canadian Citizens: Canadian citizens are not required to obtain an entry visa stamp, but all Canadian citizens must obtain a Form I-20/DS-2019 and pay the appropriate SEVIS fee at least 3 business days before entering the U.S. and obtaining F-1/J-1 student status at the U.S. Port-of-Entry.
Visa Application Process
On September 6, 2025, the U.S. Department of State announced that non-immigrant visa applicants, such as F-1 and J-1 applicants, should schedule their visa interviews in their country of nationality or permanent residence, and not in a third-party country. Due to the suspension of routine nonimmigrant visa services in certain countries, nationals of those countries must apply for a U.S. nonimmigrant visa at a designated embassy or consulate in a different location. A list of designated consulates can be found in the same announcement.
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All new F-1/J-1 applicants, except for Canadian citizens, must complete a Form DS-160 and appear for an in-person interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. We highly recommend that visa applicants review and submit their DS-160s more than two business days in advance of their scheduled interviews. The earliest that F-1/J-1 students may be granted a visa is 365 days before the start of the student's academic program at Brandeis (see your program start date on your Form I-20/DS-2019).
Form DS-160, U.S. Point of Contact Information
U.S. Point of Contact can be any individual in the U.S. who knows you and can verify, if necessary, your identity. In this section, you can provide the name of the ISSO Advisor that issued your Form I-20/DS-2019, the Brandeis address, and the ISSO e-mail and phone number such as 415 South Street, MS 040, Waltham, MA 02453; (781) 736-3480; isso@brandeis.edu.
You can check the current visa appointment wait times at the U.S. Consulate in your home country.
Processing times for visa issuance vary and may require additional time due to security checks. The U.S. Department of State provides approximate information on visa processing times, required materials, and current listings of U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad.
To prepare for your visa interview, we recommend that you review the NAFSA 10 Points to Remember When Applying for a Student Visa. Also, EducationUSA advisers offer a wide range of in-person and virtual services to international students, including information on how to apply and prepare for your visa interview. We recommend reaching out to them if you need guidance with the process.
To be issued a student visa, the Consular Officer will ask you to prove that you plan to return to your home country when you complete your studies in the U.S. and that you have no intention to remain in the U.S. To demonstrate to the Consular Officer that you plan to return to your home country, you will be asked to show that:
- You have sufficient assured funds to cover all your expenses for the duration of your stay in the U.S. If you are receiving a scholarship from Brandeis, or if you are sponsored by an agency or organization, be prepared to show a letter of your award/sponsorship. If your funding is from personal and/or family funds, be prepared to show bank statements/letters, certified letters of credit, proof of your annual salary, and/or your total available assets or that of your immediate family.
F-1 Students: At a minimum, you must prove to the satisfaction of the United States Consular Officer that you have sufficient funds for at least one year of study. According to the limitations of your visa status, you will not be permitted to work off-campus during your first year at Brandeis. Also, note that on-campus jobs are limited.
- You have “strong ties” to your home country and you will return home upon completion of your program. Strong ties are various aspects of your life (professional, family, financial, etc.) that bind you to your country of residence. Strong ties may include all your family residing in your home country and not in the U.S., having a job awaiting you at home upon completing your studies, all of your assets being at home and not in the U.S., etc.
- You can articulate your plan. What do you want to study or research? Why did you choose Brandeis University? What activities will you pursue in your home country after you complete your degree/program? You may be asked many questions in the interview or your time in the interview may be very brief. It is important to be calm, clear, and concise.
- Valid Passport (valid for at least 6 months after your entry date to the U.S.)
- Proof of Assured Funds (Financial Documents) as reflected on your Certificate of Eligibility Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 (bring all ORIGINAL bank documents, and support letters)
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Original Certificate of Eligibility Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 (be sure to carefully review for possible errors and sign your document before your interview)
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SEVIS Fee Payment Receipt
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The Acceptance Letter and Financial Aid Award Letter (if any) from Brandeis.
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Check your local U.S. Embassy or Consulate website for additional requirements such as application fees, photos, etc.
The U.S. Consular Officer will review your documents during your visa interview. Be prepared to answer potential questions about your family, finances, choice of a degree program (for students), and why you are choosing to come to Brandeis.
If the official believes that all is in order, he or she should issue you an F-1/J-1 visa allowing you to enter the U.S. in F-1/J-1 status to study at Brandeis University.
Visa Interview Results
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Congratulations! If your visa is granted it is usually given to you at that time or it will be mailed to you. Make sure to review the information on your visa to confirm the visa status and expiration date.
If your visa is denied, the U.S. Embassy/Consular Officer is required to give you with a written explanation of the reason for the denial. You should contact the ISSO immediately with as much information as possible about your visa interview and a copy of the denial notice. The ISSO will be able to guide you on the next step.
Visa denials are often based on the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) section 214 (b) which states:
"Every alien shall be presumed to be an immigrant until he establishes to the satisfaction of the consular officer, at the time of application for admission, that he is entitled to a nonimmigrant status."
You are eligible to re-apply for a visa with additional evidence. You must prove:
You may be asked many questions in the interview, or your interview may be brief. It is important for you to be calm, clear, and concise in your communication with the consular officer. You can also see more information on the Department of State website on visa denial.
Remember to keep the ISSO and your Brandeis Admission Office updated on this process.
If your visa application needs further review, it will be sent for Administrative Processing. This does not mean that your visa has been denied. However, it does mean that your visa application will require further security screening. Please note that it is not possible to expedite this process. The approximate processing time is 60 days but this may vary. If your visa application is in Administrative Processing, please keep the ISSO and your Admissions Office informed.