Most international students at Colgate have F-1 (student) visas. In order to receive such a visa from the American Consulate in your home country, it is necessary to present form I-20. The
International Student Program
Office mails I-20 forms to international students once they have been accepted and have indicated they plan to attend Colgate. In addition to the I-20 form, most American Consulates will request evidence of adequate financial resources, evidence of educational attainments, photographs and a fee for the visa.
Since exact requirements vary depending on your country's reciprocal visa arrangement with the United States, it is important to call the consulate in advance of your visit to determine the exact requirements. After obtaining a visa, you should keep your I-20 form along with your passport in a safe place. It is wise to photocopy the pages of your passport that include your passport number, date of validity, photograph and visas. The photocopies should be kept in another safe place separate from your passport. If you should ever lose your passport, these photocopies will allow you to obtain a new passport much more quickly.
Please note that Canadian citizens are exempt from passport and visa requirements. Canadian students apply directly to immigration inspectors at a port of entry to the U.S. for admission as an F-1 student. To do so, Canadians should carry form I-20 along with evidence of adequate financial resources.
The U.S. Department of Homeland
Security charges international students a SEVIS I-901 fee before they can apply
for visas or (in case of Canadians) enter the country. Please note that this is
not a fee assessed by Colgate, and it is different from and in addition to any
visa application fee at the consulate or embassy. Please take your receipt with
you when you apply for your visa interview or (in the case of Canadians) when
you enter the country to begin your studies at Colgate. For more information
about SEVIS I-901 fee please see
http://www.fmjfee.com/index
Travel Outside The United States During University Holidays
When you travel outside the United States during holidays, you need to take some steps to guarantee your reentry to the U.S. Be sure your passport and U.S. visa are valid. Some visas are valid for four years and will allow multiple entries to the U.S. Other visas are valid for only one year and will allow only one entry.
Once again, the type of visa you receive depends on your country's reciprocal visa arrangement with the U.S. If you have a single entry visa, you will have to apply for a new visa at an American Consulate to re-enter the U.S. To do so, you will need to go through the same process you did the first time you applied for a visa.
Before you leave campus to travel abroad, you must be certain to have your I-20 signed on page 4 by a Designated School Official. Colgate's Visa Officer and Designated School Official is located in 112 McGregory Hall. Each signature by a Designated School Official on page 4 of your I-20 is valid for twelve months. However, it should be signed each semester. You should be certain that the last signature would still be valid when you return to Colgate. If you have any questions, feel free to call
Lisa Hally, International Student Advisor at (315) 228-7493.
When you travel outside the United States, be sure to carry your passport and I-20 in a safe place. If you are traveling to a country other than your home country, you may need to obtain a visa to enter that country. You are encouraged to consult a publication entitled Foreign Visa Requirements, which is available in the Office of International Programs. Although the publication is geared towards Americans traveling abroad, it is also useful to international students because it gives addresses and telephone numbers of foreign embassies and consulates located in the United States.
It is wise to contact the appropriate embassy or consulate to determine whether or not you will need a visa well in advance of your trip. Some consulates require a month to six weeks to process a visa so be sure to allow enough time before your trip.
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