Student Visa

Applying for the F-1 student visa from Abroad.

To become an international student in the United States, you must obtain a student visa and gain admission to Lincoln University. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Admission

To apply for admission, you must provide the following documents:

A completed application for admission

A copy of your passport (valid for at least 2 months beyond your intended period of study in the United States)

Your high school diploma or equivalent secondary education certification, along with official transcripts (translated into English if necessary). If you've studied outside the US before, you must also provide transcripts from all postsecondary programs and have them evaluated by a member of the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO), which can be done at LU if you're seeking credit transfer

Financial evidence demonstrating that you or your sponsor have sufficient funds to cover tuition and living expenses for one year of study (at least $20,065). Include a bank statement or an official verification letter from a financial institution (translated into English). Financial documents are crucial for obtaining an F-1 student visa

Proof of English Proficiency, such as TOEFL or IELTS scores, if your education wasn't primarily in English

Additionally, submit a one-page essay explaining your motivation for enrolling at Lincoln University and a comprehensive resume detailing your educational background, work experience, and extracurricular activities (if applicable for graduate degree applicants).

If you plan to bring a spouse and/or children to the US, you'll need to provide the following documents for each dependent to submit their I-20:

A copy of their passport (valid for at least 2 months beyond your intended period of study in the United States).

Proof of your relationship (e.g., marriage and/or birth certificates translated into English).

Step 2: Fees

You must pay the following fees:

Application Fee: $95

Step 3: Get Your I-20 Form

Once accepted by the university, the Designated School Official will issue an I-20 form and an acceptance letter.

Step 4: Visa Interview

Contact the U.S. Embassy in your country to schedule a visa interview. Bring the following documents:

Form I-20, signed by the DSO and yourself.

Financial evidence of sufficient funds for tuition and living expenses.

Evidence of intent to leave the US after completing your studies.

Passport (valid for at least 2 months beyond your intended study period).

Proof of payment of SEVIS I-901 fee.

Form DS-160.

Photograph(s).

Proof of payment of the Visa Interview fee ($160).

Step 5: Prepare for Departure

After receiving an F-1 visa, prepare for your departure:

Inform your Admission Advisor of your flight details, arrival date, and flight number.

Request airport pickup (additional fee may apply).

Request housing assistance (additional fee may apply).

Note that you can't arrive in the US more than 30 days before your classes start.

Step 6: Admission to the United States in F-1 status

Upon arrival in the US, proceed to the terminal area for arriving passengers and have the following documents ready:

Form I-20, signed by the DSO and yourself.

Passport (valid for at least 2 months beyond your intended study period).

F-1 visa (school name on the visa must match the name on Form I-20).

Evidence of financial support (same information used to obtain the F-1 visa).

In some cases, proof of SEVIS fee payment may be required.

Step 7: Report to the School

Report to the school promptly and provide your arrival documents (passport with visa and I-20) to ensure timely registration of your SEVIS record.

Applying for change of status to the F-1 (student).

To apply for a change of status to F1 (student) while you're already in the United States and have been maintaining your current non-immigrant status, follow these steps:

Step 1: Admission

To initiate the process, you'll need to provide the following documents:

• A fully completed application for admission.
• A copy of your passport (valid for at least 2 months beyond your intended period of study in the United States).
• A copy of your entry visa.
• A copy of DS-2019 (for J-1 students).
• A printed arrival-departure record (accessible at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home).

Your high school diploma or equivalent secondary education certification, along with official transcripts (translated into English if necessary). If you've studied outside the US previously, include transcripts from all postsecondary programs and consider having them evaluated by a member of the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO), a service available at LU for credit transfer evaluation.

Financial evidence demonstrating sufficient funds to cover one year of tuition and living expenses (at least $20,065). Include a bank statement or an official verification letter from a financial institution (translated into English). These financial documents are vital for obtaining an F-1 student visa.

Proof of English Proficiency, such as TOEFL or IELTS scores, if your education was not primarily in English.

Additionally, submit a one-page essay explaining your motivation for enrolling at Lincoln University and provide a comprehensive resume detailing your educational background, work experience, and extracurricular activities (if applicable for graduate degree applicants).

If you plan to bring a spouse and/or children to the US, prepare the following documents for each dependent to submit their I-20:

• A copy of their passport (valid for at least 2 months beyond your intended period of study in the United States).
• Proof of your relationship (e.g., marriage and/or birth certificates translated into English).

Step 2: Fees

You are required to pay the following fees:

Application Fee: $95

Step 3: Obtain Your I-20 Form

Once you receive acceptance from the school, the Designated School Official will issue an I-20 form along with an acceptance letter.

Step 4: Pay SEVIS I-901 Fee

Upon receiving your Form I-20, you must pay a $350 SEVIS I-901 fee. This payment can be made online at www.fmjfee.com. Remember to retain your receipt.

Step 6: Submit Documents to USCIS Service Center

To apply for a change to F-1 status within the United States, you must send the following documents to the USCIS Service Center (www.uscis.gov):

• Form I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status
• Form I-20, properly signed by the DSO and yourself
• Proof of payment of the SEVIS I-901 fee
• A copy of your Passport ID page
• A copy of your Entry Visa
• Your Arrival/Departure record

Original financial documents demonstrating your ability or your sponsor's ability to cover your tuition and living expenses during your intended stay

USCIS filing fee of $370; each co-applicant must also pay an $85 biometric services fee. Payment can be made via a money order, personal check, or cashier’s check payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

An optional letter explaining your reasons for wanting to change status to F-1 (a strong letter can be persuasive).

Step 7: Wait for Approval

You cannot start attending school until your change of status application has been approved. If USCIS has not made a decision at least 15 days before the program start date on your Form I-20, contact the DSO at your new school to request a deferment of attendance.

Remember: Maintain valid nonimmigrant status while your Form I-539 change of status application is pending.

Step 8: Report to the School

Immediately after your change of status application is approved, report to the school and complete the following steps to ensure your SEVIS record is registered promptly:

Bring the approval documents from USCIS to your school.

Transfering from one school to another as an F-1 student

If you're looking to transfer to Lincoln University while maintaining your F-1 student status, you can do so by following the transfer procedures outlined in 8 CFR 214.2(f)(8). 

Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Admission

To begin the transfer process, you'll need to provide the following documents:

A fully completed application for admission.

A copy of your passport (valid for at least 2 months beyond your intended period of study in the United States).

A copy of your entry visa.

A copy of DS-2019 (for J-1 students).

A printed arrival-departure record (accessible at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home).

Your high school diploma or equivalent secondary education certification, along with official transcripts (translated into English if necessary). If you've studied outside the US previously, include transcripts from all postsecondary programs and consider having them evaluated by a member of the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO), a service available at LU for credit transfer evaluation.

Financial evidence demonstrating sufficient funds to cover one year of tuition and living expenses (at least $20,065). Include a bank statement or an official verification letter from a financial institution (translated into English). These financial documents are crucial for obtaining an F-1 student visa.

Proof of English Proficiency, such as TOEFL or IELTS scores, if your education was not primarily in English.

Additionally, submit a one-page essay explaining your motivation for enrolling at Lincoln University and provide a comprehensive resume detailing your educational background, work experience, and extracurricular activities (if applicable for graduate degree applicants).

An Approval Notice (I-797 form) if you have previously changed your status to F-1 in the United States.

All I-20s from your previous school.

Transcripts from your previous school.

If you have a spouse and/or children to the US, you will need to provide the following documents for each dependent's I-20:

A copy of the passport for each dependent (valid for at least 2 months beyond your intended period of study in the United States).

Proof of your relationship to your spouse and/or children (e.g., marriage and birth certificates translated into English).

Step 2: Fees

You must pay the following fees:

Application Fee: $95

Step 3: Transfer Your SEVIS Record and Obtain Your New I-20 Form

Once your current school releases your SEVIS record, the Designated School Official at your new school will be able to submit your new I-20 Form. You must report to Lincoln University within 15 days after your release date from your previous school to receive the new I-20 form.