Visa and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Information:

To learn more about the student visa application process, please visit the Study in the States website managed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

To find a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your country and begin the F-1 visa application process, please visit the website of the U.S. Department of State. They also provide helpful information on the F-1 application process including a current list of visa appointment wait times.

What is the SEVIS Fee? The SEVIS fee or I-901 fee is a general fee associated with F-1 or J-1 visa application processes that is assessed by the U.S. government. It is very similar to a visa application fee. You must pay the SEVIS fee/ I-901 fee before visiting the U.S. Embassy/Consulate for your visa interview. For more information, or to pay the I-901 Fee, visit www.fmjfee.com or http://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/.

Helpful U.S. Immigration Links:

SEVIS Fee: www.fmjfee.com
U.S. Embassies/Consulates www.usembassy.gov
U.S Department of Homeland Security: www.dhs.gov
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement: www.ice.gov

Please follow the instructions that best reflect your current status:

You are currently residing in your home country:
You have been sent a certificate of eligibility (Form I-20 or Form DS-2019) to be presented at the U.S. Consulate or Embassy when you interview for an F-1 student or J-1 exchange visitor visa. You should be prepared to present your original financial documents and your letter of admission.
- SEVIS Fee (I-901 fee): Please pay the fee online at www.fmjfee.com) before going to the U.S. Embassy/Consulate for your visa interview.
- Caution: Do not enter the U.S. on a B-1/B-2 tourist visa unless "prospective student" is noted. Do not enter the U.S. on a visa waiver or you will be refused at the U.S. point of entry. Dependents (F-2, J-2) must have their own, entirely separate Form I-20 or DS 2019.
You are currently in the U.S. and in another visa category (J-2, L-2, H-4, etc...) or you have applied for permanent residency in the U.S.:
You are not required to become an F-1 or J-1 visa holder in order to study at Cleveland State University. Please note that, F-2 visa holders who wish to enroll in full-time credits (>11 for undergraduate studies or > 8 for graduate studies) must change to an F-1 visa. Students in F-2 status may be enrolled in a degree seeking program but may only study "part-time." The advisors in the Center for International Services and Programs will provide advice and referrals to students with any visa status, as needed.
You are presently studying in the U.S. on an F-1 visa with a valid Form I-20 from another institution:

- U.S. immigration regulations require you maintain valid F-1 status at your current institution before your transfer to CSU. Your current institution's DSO/ International Advisor should send your immigration record to Cleveland State via the school-to-school SEVIS transfer process. If you are "out of status", you must discuss your situation with a CISP advisor during a scheduled advising appointment. A Form I-20 for CSU will not be provided to you but can be provided after you register for classes. WARNING: The SEVIS transfer process MUST be completed within 15 days of the start of your new term or you will have violated your F-1 status. You may not work on campus until your F-1 immigration transfer has been approved.
You are presently studying in the U.S. on J-1 Student visa:
Please schedule an advising appointment with an immigration advisor so that we may determine if a J-1 transfer is possible. Please provide a copy of your current Form DS-2019, your J-1 visa and most recent I-94.