International Student Application Process

We are so glad you want to become a Royal! Whether you are a first-year college student or transferring to Queens, here are the steps to joining the Queens Family.

Step One: Apply to Queens

Apply to Queens University and receive your acceptance letter for an approved degree program.

Step Two: Get your I-20 from Queens

Initial I-20

Once you are admitted and have submitted all documents needed for the I-20 (copy of passport, financial documentation), you will receive an email from International Student Services with your INITIAL immigration document. It is the student’s responsibility to verify all information is correct.

Note: The U.S. Government no longer requires immigration documents to be sent via posted mail. Your immigration document will be sent to the email on file.

Transfer I-20

Once you are admitted and have submitted all documents needed for the I-20 (copy of passport, financial documentation), please allow 1-2 weeks from the transfer/release date of your current SEVIS record to receive your I-20 from Queens via email. It is the student’s responsibility to verify all information is correct.

Note: Students outside of the U.S. during the transfer process may re-enter the U.S. with their Queens I-20 as desired.

Step Three: Pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee

All F-1 international students and J-1 exchange visitors must pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee. It can be paid using the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement website. Students with a transfer I-20 are not required to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee again.

It is important to keep your receipt of payment, as you may be asked to provide it if the SEVIS and FMJ websites fail to update accordingly.

Step Four: Make an appointment at the nearest U.S. Embassy

It is recommended that you apply for a visa in your home country rather than a third country, however, you may apply for your visa at any U.S. Embassy in the world. You can find the visa appointment wait times at your local consulate on the U.S. Visas webpage.

Note: Canadian and Bermudan passport holders who intend to study in the US do not apply for the F1 Visa at the US consulate. Canadian and Bermudan students do, however, have to meet all requirements for the F1 visa status at the port of entry and provide: a receipt for the SEVIS Form I-901fee, the original I-20, a passport (valid for 6 months into the future), and evidence of funding as indicated on the I-20.

Necessary Documents for Your Appointment:

• Your I-20
• The SEVIS fee receipt (I-901)
• Your DS-160 confirmation page
• Queens University of Charlotte Acceptance Letter
• Your Visa Appointment Letter from the Pulliam Center for International Education
• A copy of your approved supporting financial documents, i.e. bank statement(s) or your scholarship or financial aid award letter(s).
• A valid passport
• Passport-size photographs (that you uploaded in the DS-160 application)
• Completed required visa application forms (available on the U.S. consular websites)

We strongly advise you to check the U.S. Consulate or Embassy website where you are applying to see if there are other requirements. There are often changes in the visa application process.

Step Five: Attend Your F-1 Visa Interview  

Students applying for an F-1 visa for the first time, are required to complete an in-person interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Note: Transfer and current students with an expired F-1 visa, and are physically outside of the continental U.S., may be permitted to submit their application for a new F-1 visa online or via mail. Contact your Embassy for further information.

Ten points to remember when applying for a non-immigrant visa.

Step Six: Receive Your Visa

Be sure to verify that all information is correct on the visa stamp, placed inside of your passport or visa approval document. The issuing Embassy is the only agency that can correct any errors.

Step Seven: Prepare for Your Arrival

Typically, students are allowed to enter the U.S. up to 30 days before their program start date. You can locate the exact date on page 1 of your I-20/DS-2019.

A Note from the Pulliam Center

If you or the U.S. Embassy have questions regarding your studies and/or immigration status at Queens University, please contact the International Student Services (international@queens.edu). If your visa application is delayed or denied for any reason, please email the Assistant Director for International Student Services immediately. We look forward to meeting and wish you safe travels to Charlotte, North Carolina!