Do I need a visa, and, if so, which one?
If you are foreign national, you will need a passport from your government and a temporary visa from the United States Embassy or Consulate in order to study at the University of Michigan. You need the visa before you enter the United States to begin your studies. It is best to plan to receive this visa a few months before your studies begin. The two most common types of visas are explained below.
The F-1 Student Visa is used by most students. For this temporary visa, you must be enrolled full-time during the academic year. In order for you to apply for the visa, you need the I-20 form which the university sends you after you have confirmed your intent to enroll and upon receipt of proof of financial support. You then take the I-20 form to a United States Embassy or Consular Official to apply for the visa. If you are an F-1 student already studying in the United States, follow the transfer procedures explained on the back of your new University of Michigan I-20. You are required to present your new I-20 issued by the University of Michigan to counselors at our International Center immediately upon arrival on campus.
The J-1 Exchange Visitor (student category) Visa is designed for certain non-privately sponsored students. For this temporary visa, you must be enrolled full-time during the academic year. The form necessary to obtain this visa is the DS-2019 form. In order for you to apply for this visa, the university or various sponsoring organizations send the enrolling student the DS-2019. You then take the DS-2019 to a United States Embassy or Consular Official to apply for the visa.
Note: In order to request the J-1 visa, your funding must be primarily from non-private sources. For example, if your funding is from your government, you may choose to request the J-1 visa.
If you are a Canadian citizen, you do not need a visa. Instead, you are required at the port of entry to present your passport or proof of Canadian citizenship, the I-20 or DS-2019, the SEVIS fee receipt, and evidence of adequate funding for your proposed program of study. You will then be issued an I-94 card indicating your student visa status.
For further information, please visit our website for international students.