Getting Your Visa

Getting Your Visa

  • Once your admission to the University is complete and you have satisfied the financial requirement for international students, you will receive either a Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for the F-1 Student Visa) or a Form DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility for the J-1 Student Visa) from OISS.
  • You will be required to present this form, along with your valid passport, the letter of admission to UNH and all supporting financial documents (such as; bank statements, letter of assistantship, research or scholarship award, affidavit of support from a sponsor) to the Consular Officer when you visit the United States Embassy or Consulate in your area.
  • Make sure that all supporting financial documents are either originals on official letterhead or are properly notarized photocopies, are in English (or are accompanied by notarized translations) and show the funds in U.S. dollars or the U.S. dollar equivalent.
  • Immigration officials will inspect this certificate and your financial documents at your point of entry to the U.S., so keep these forms and your passport with you when you travel.
  • Detailed instructions and information will be provided with your I-20 or DS-2019.
  • If you decide not to attend UNH, please contact oiss.advisor@unh.edu.

If you receive a Certificate of Eligibility from more than one school

  • You must report to the school whose I-20 or DS-2019 you use to enter the U.S. and meet their enrollment requirement or you will be in violation of your student status.

If you are an international student already in the U.S.

  • Your SEVIS record will need to be transferred from your current institution to UNH. NOTE: This is a transfer in terms of immigration and is separate from any type of academic transfer process.

If you are already in the U.S. in a non-student visa classification

  • OISS will help you determine whether you need to change your immigration status.
  • However, if you have been offered an assistantship, scholarship or other type of aid, you may be required to change your status in order to accept the award.

NOTE to Canadian Students: While you are not required to obtain a visa, you are required to present your Certificate of Eligibility and declare yourself as a student at the US port-of-entry.