International Student Services New Students

Admissions

St. John Fisher College welcomes applications for study from qualified international students. All applicants must submit a completed application and certified copies of required documents. Contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions or the Office of Graduate Admissions for information regarding the application process.

New Student Orientation

The undergraduate New Student Orientation program is designed to help new undergraduate students with the acclimation to college and specifically to Fisher.  The program helps students connect with others, learn about resources on campus, and make a positive transition to a new place. Contact the Office of Campus Life for more information.

Pre-Arrival Information

 

Form I-20: Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant F-1 Student Status

Upon acceptance to St. John Fisher College, the Designated School Official (DSO) in the Office of Academic Affairs will review the student's file and issue/send the student the completed Form I-20. The I-20 document is needed to apply for the F-1 student visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate and for entry into the United States.

SEVIS and the SEVIS Fee

SEVIS (the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) is the Department of Homeland Security's web-based system for maintaining information on international students and exchange visitors in the United States. Designated School Officials use the SEVIS system to enter, update and process the information contained on a student's Form I-20.

Students applying for the I-20 visa are also required to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee prior to the visa appointment. For a description of the fee and for accepted methods of payment, visit the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement website.

Student Visa

In order to travel to the United States, most students will need to secure a visa from the U.S. Consulate or Embassy in their home country.  For a step-by-step guide to the visa process and for more information on current requirements, visit www.unitedstatesvisas.gov.

U.S. Customs

The visa document allows students to travel to a port of entry (airport or land border crossing) in the United States and pass through U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspection. For travel tips, regulations and more information on U.S. Customs procedures, visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.