A visa is a stamp in your passport that allows you to apply for entry into the U.S. under a specific category. Canadian citizens do not need a visa stamp to enter the U.S.
F-1 & J-1 Visas
These visas let you study at a U.S. school approved by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).
You can stay in the U.S. after your F-1 or J-1 visa expires if your passport and I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1) are valid and you remain a full-time student.
Your visa expiration date is different from your authorized stay period.
Renewing Your Visa
If your visa expires while you are in the U.S., you do not need to leave.
However, if you travel internationally after your visa expires, you must apply for a new visa before returning to the U.S.
You also need a new visa if you used all allowed entries or changed your immigration status.
You cannot apply for an F-1 or J-1 visa while in the U.S. Visas are only issued at U.S. Embassies or Consulates abroad.
Best Place to Apply
It is recommended to apply at a U.S. consulate in your home country.
In some cases, you may apply in another country (Third Country National – TCN application), but not all U.S. consulates allow this.
Check with consulates in Canada, Mexico, or other countries for their TCN policies.
Risks of Applying Outside Your Home Country
If your visa application is delayed, you must stay in that country until it is processed.
You cannot return to the U.S. until your new visa is approved.
Most visa applicants must attend an in-person interview at a U.S. consulate. Schedule your appointment as early as possible.
F-1 & F-2 visas: Can be issued up to 365 days before your program start date (listed on your I-20).
J-1 & J-2 visas: Can be issued anytime before your program begins.
Check the U.S. Department of Homeland Security website for visa application details and processing times. Delays can happen due to security checks, your field of study, country of origin, or plans to return home.
You must have a valid visa stamp in your passport before traveling to the U.S.
1. Show Strong Ties to Your Home Country
You must be able to show that you have reasons for returning to your home country that are stronger than those for remaining in the United States. "Ties" to your home country are the things that bind you to your hometown, homeland, or current place of residence: job, family, financial prospects that you own or will inherit, investments, etc. If you are a prospective undergraduate, the interviewing officer may ask about your specific intentions or promise of future employment, family or other relationships, educational objectives, grades, long-range plans and career prospects in your home country. Each person's situation is different, of course, and there is no magic explanation or single document, certificate, or letter which can guarantee visa issuance. If you’ve overstayed a visa before, be ready to explain why with supporting documents.
2. Prepare for an English Interview
The interview will be in English and not in your native language, so practice speaking naturally. One suggestion is to practice English conversation with a native speaker before the interview, but do not prepare speeches! If you're solely coming to study English in the U.S., explain how English will be important and useful for you back home.
3. Speak for Yourself
You must answer the officer’s questions on your own. Bringing family members to speak for you can leave a bad impression. If you are a minor and need your parents in case there are questions, they should wait in the waiting area until they are called.
4. Know Your Study Program and Career Goals
Clearly explain why you chose your U.S. program and how it will help your future career in your home country. If you seem uncertain, the officer may assume you plan to stay in the U.S. permanently.
5. Be Clear and Concise
Interviews are short, usually just a few minutes. First impressions matter, so keep your answers short and to the point.
6. Have Clear Documentation
Any documents you bring should be easy to understand. Avoid long explanations, as officers won’t have time to read them.
7. Some Countries Face More Scrutiny
If you're from a country with economic struggles or high visa overstay rates, be ready to explain your career opportunities back home after your studies.
8. Focus on Studying, Not Working
Your primary purpose must be education, not employment. While some students work part-time, your goal should be completing your degree. If your spouse is applying for an F-2 visa, know that F-2 visa holders cannot work but can volunteer or study part-time.
9. Plan for Family Staying Home
If your spouse or children will remain in your home country, be prepared to explain how they will support themselves while you’re away. If the officer thinks they depend on your U.S. income, your visa may be denied.
10. Stay Positive
If your visa is denied, don’t argue. Instead, politely ask what documents you should bring next time and try to get the reason for denial in writing.
Be prepared to present the following at the Port of Entry (POE):
I-20 (F-1 Students) With Valid Travel Signature
Must be signed by a DSO in ISS before leaving the U.S.
Signature is valid for one year (12 months) for multiple entries.
OPT students need a travel signature every 6 months and must carry an employment letter.
Carry all I-20s ever issued, not just the most recent one.
DS-2019 (J-1 Exchange Visitors) With Valid Travel Signature
Must be signed by an ARO in ISS before leaving the U.S.
Signature is valid for one year (12 months) for multiple entries.
Carry all DS-2019s ever issued.
Valid Passport
Must be valid for at least six months upon entry unless exempt.
Keep it valid throughout your stay in the U.S.
Valid U.S. Visa
Must be valid and unexpired for your admission category.
If expired, obtain a new visa before reentry (apply in your home country if possible).
In-person interviews are required for most applicants; schedule early.
Automatic Visa Revalidation: F-1 and J-1 students traveling for less than 30 days to Canada, Mexico, or certain Caribbean islands (except Cuba) may reenter the U.S. without obtaining a new visa.
Does not apply if applying for a new visa abroad or for citizens of Iran, Syria, or Sudan.
Financial Evidence
Carry proof of sufficient funds for academic and living expenses.
Current Class Schedule
Print from your MyBLUE page.
New Students (Initial Entry)
Bring proof of admission to UNK.
SEVIS I-901 Fee Receipt
If lost, request a copy at fmjfee.com.
Students with I-20s or DS-2019s issued before September 1, 2004, did not pay the SEVIS fee.
Federal law requires you and your dependents to carry registration documents at all times. This includes:
Passport
Current I-20
Copy of I-94 printout
For daily use, keep these documents in a secure location (e.g., a bank safe deposit box). However, when traveling within the U.S., always carry them with you.
If traveling by air, train, bus, or ship, you may be required to show these documents before boarding. Keep photocopies in a separate location in case they are lost or stolen.
If not applying for OPT, you have a 60-day grace period after your final semester.
Once you leave the U.S. (including short trips to Canada or Mexico), you cannot reenter with your current I-20.
The grace period is for travel within the U.S. and preparing for departure.
J-1 Students
If not applying for Academic Training, you have a 30-day grace period after your final semester.
Once you leave the U.S. (including short trips to Canada or Mexico), you cannot reenter with your current DS-2019.
The grace period is for travel within the U.S. and preparing for departure.
Before Graduation
If your post-completion OPT application is pending, you may travel and reenter the U.S.
After Graduation
If your OPT is approved and you have received your EAD card, you cannot reenter the U.S. without evidence of employment.
Carry the following documents when traveling:
I-20 signed for travel by an international student adviser within the last 6 months
EAD card
Valid passport
Unexpired F-1 visa (unless returning from a short trip to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean)
Evidence of employment in your field of study (letter of employment or job offer)
Know key immigration terms, as they appear in important updates from International Student Services during your time at UNK.
SEVIS
Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is a tracking system that connects U.S. schools, DHS, consulates, embassies, and ports of entry.
Schools must update SEVIS each semester with details like enrollment, address changes, study level, reduced course load, employment, and transfers.
Form I-94
The I-94 is a electronic record by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that tracks each time you arrive and depart under your legal entry and immigration status in the U.S.(F-1 or J-1). It is processed at a port of entry and you have to retrieve it online each time you arrive back into the U.S. The I-94 record may be required as proof of status for F-1 or J-1 benefits applications, employment verification, and other official purposes. The I-94 record shows your name, birthdate, citizenship, visa status, arrival date, port of entry, and indicates how long you can stay (D/S = Duration of Status).
Form I-20
The I-20 is a certificate issued through SEVIS that allows students to apply for an F-1 visa at a U.S. consulate and must be presented upon entry into the U.S.
Key Points:
Required for visa application and U.S. entry.
Must carry a recertified I-20 when traveling outside the U.S. to return for studies.
Serves as a permanent student record in SEVIS.
Keep all I-20s issued to you. Make copies for your records.
Lost your I-20? ISS Office can provide a replacement in 3-5 days.
Form DS-2019
The DS-2019 is a certificate issued through SEVIS by a program sponsor (university, government agency, or organization) for J-1 visa applicants. It must be presented at a U.S. consulate for the visa and to an immigration official upon entry.
Key Points:
Required for J-1 visa application and U.S. entry.
Must carry a recertified DS-2019 when traveling outside the U.S. to return for studies.
Serves as a permanent student record in SEVIS.
Keep all DS-2019s issued to you. Make copies for your records.
Lost your DS-2019? ISS Office can provide a replacement in 3-5 days.
Immigration Status VS. Visa
Your immigration status (F-1, J-1) is determined when you enter the U.S. and recorded on Form I-94 by an immigration officer.
Key Points:
Visa vs. Status: A visa allows you to enter the U.S., but your status is what determines your stay.
You may have multiple visa stamps, but you are admitted under only one status at a time.
Check your I-94 to ensure the correct status is listed.
Unlike a visa, immigration status can be changed within the U.S.
F-1 and J-1 students must keep their passports valid for at least six months into the future at all times.
If your passport is expiring, renew it through your country's nearest consulate or embassy.
Your entry visa is issued by a U.S. consulate abroad and placed in your passport. It allows you to apply for entry into the U.S. but does not determine how long you can stay.
Key Points:
Visa vs. Stay: Your visa may expire while in the U.S., but your stay remains valid as long as your I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1) is active.
Canadian nationals do not need an F-1 or J-1 visa but must have proper status documentation.
Your visa specifies:
Immigration status (F-1, J-1)
Expiration date (last date you can use it for entry)
Number of allowed entries
Visa validity varies by country based on agreements with the U.S.
Important Notes:
F-1 & J-1 visas may be issued up to 365 days before your program start date, but you cannot enter more than 30 days early.
If you leave the U.S. for more than 5 months without being registered, your visa may be canceled and you must apply for a new one.
New visas cannot be obtained in the U.S.—you must apply at a U.S. consulate abroad.
Your stay is based on "Duration of Status (D/S)" as noted on your I-94, which depends on your program’s end date.
Students at UNK can enter the U.S. with either an F-1 Student Visa or a J-1 Exchange Visitor Student Visa. Spouses and children receive F-2 or J-2 visas.
The J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa is for students substantially funded by:
U.S. government
Home country government
International organizations
University scholarships
Personal or family-funded students do not qualify for J-1 status and must apply for an F-1 visa.
Foreign Residence Requirement (J-1 & J-2 Only)
If you receive U.S. or home country government funding or are in a field listed on the Country Skills List, you must return to your home country for two years before applying for:
H or L work visas
Immigrant visas (green cards)
J-1 students affected by this cannot change to another U.S. visa status or permanent residency until the requirement is met.
F-1 students do not have a foreign residence requirement.
