Getting Your I-20 and Obtaining a Visa
An I-20 is the form that EMU is required by Federal Law to produce which allows the student to apply for a visa at the U.S. Embassy. Before EMU can issue the I-20, the student must take the following steps:
- Complete the admissions application and receive an admission decision from the university. See our application checklist for more details on required documents and information.
- Apply for the EMU International Student Scholarship.
- Complete the International Student Affidavit and provide supporting documents such as bank statements and letters of sponsorship, if applicable.
- Upon completion, you will receive a Financial Aid Notification (FAN).
- Pay the $200 tuition deposit.
- See Next Steps page for billing, housing, and other
*Deadlines for visa approvals are always 1 month before the start of International Student Orientation.
What to bring to your visa interview
The student should bring the following documents to the visa interview:
- Form I-20
- Receipt of SEVIS payment
- $350 payment (also known as the I-901 fee for a SEVIS ID)
- Acceptance letter
- Financial Aid Notification (financial award letter)
- Financial documents which prove the student’s ability to support themself while in the U.S.
- Evidence that the student intends to return to their home country upon completion of their studies (information about family members who live in the home country, property owned, etc.)
- Academic transcripts and test scores
The student should also be prepared to describe their career goals and why they chose EMU.