Before Coming to the University

Pre-Application Checklist

Before you begin the visa application process, you must have the following documents:

DS-2019 Form

This will be sent to you in the mail from ISS after you have been admitted. Your original DS-2019 is required when applying for a J-1 student visa at an American embassy or consulate and for entry into the United States. This DS-2019 has been produced by Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and is an acknowledgement that your record is in the SEVIS system. The form includes your SEVIS ID number, which is the number in the upper corner above the bar code, (usually starts with an N).

SEVIS Fee Receipt

All new students coming in J-1 status must pay a one-time SEVIS fee prior to applying for their visa, and must submit the SEVIS fee receipt as part of their application. You can find instructions about paying the fee on this page.

DS-2019 Forms for Spouse and Dependent Children.

Each J-2 dependent is issued a DS-2019 and has their own SEVIS ID. Additional SEVIS fees do not need to be paid for dependents.

The Visa Application Process

  1. Complete the DS-160
  2. Schedule a Visa Interview Appointment

    The next step in applying for a U.S. visa is making an appointment at your closest U.S. embassy or consulate. At this appointment you will need to present the following documents:

    • Your DS-2019 form
    • The SEVIS Fee receipt (I-901)
    • Your DS-160 confirmation page
    • A copy of your financial support documents, i.e. evidence that you have sufficient funds to meet the expenses of studying at the University of Arkansas (e.g. bank statement, financial aid award letter).
    • 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.)

    Check the website of the U.S. consulate/embassy where you are applying to see if there are other requirements.

    An application fee and an interview will also be required. There have been (and continue to be) changes in the visa application process and these changes are usually reflected on the consular websites.

    Find the nearest U.S. Consulate or Embassy.

    Find more information about U.S. visas, including the visa appointment wait times at your local consulate.

  3. Attend Your Interview

    Attend your scheduled visa interview at your U.S. embassy or consulate. 

  4. Receive and Review your Entry Visa

    Check the visa in your passport to make sure that all the information on it is correct. If the information is not correct it can only be changed at the embassy or consulate that issued your visa.

    Your DS-2019 should be returned to you. You will need it to enter the U.S.

Special Notes

When applying for your student visa, pay careful attention to the following:

Timing Your Arrival to the U.S.

You may enter the U.S. no earlier than 30 days before and no later than 30 days after the starting date noted on the DS-2019 form (item #3). However if you cannot arrive in the U.S. by your starting date, you must get academic permission to arrive late. To start this process, please get in touch with ISS.

Expiring Visas

The expiration date on your visa may or may not match the end date of your degree program. If your visa expires before you complete your degree program, you will need to apply for a new visa on your first trip outside the U.S. after your current visa expires.  Note that you do NOT have to have a valid visa to remain in the U.S. - you only need a valid visa stamp to request entry to the U.S.

A Final Note

If the U.S. consulate has any questions regarding your studies at the University of Arkansas, please contact ISS. If your visa application is delayed or denied for any reason, please contact your ISS advisor immediately. Safe travels and we look forward to meeting you when you arrive in Northwest Arkansas!