New international students who are entering the U.S. for the first time on an F-1 visa can only enter the country 30 days prior to the start of classes.  For the Fall 2013 semester at SVA, students may enter the U.S. beginning August 4, 2013, and should arrive no later than the start of classes on September 3, 2013.  This 30-day rule does not apply to returning students who already have a valid F-1 visa.

Note for ESL Studio Program (ESP) students:
ESL Studio program for the 2013-2014 academic year begins on June 13, 2013.  ESP students may enter the U.S. beginning May 14, 2013.

MFA Art Practice, Summer Residency
Summer semester starts on Monday, June 24, 2013.  F-1 students may enter the U.S. beginning May 25, 2013.

MFA Visual Narrative, Summer Residency
Summer semester starts on Monday, June 3, 2013.  F-1 students may enter the U.S. beginning May 4, 2013.

MPS Digital Photography Online/Summer Residency
Summer semester starts on Monday, May 6, 2013.  F-1 students may enter the U.S. beginning April 6, 2013.

A list of U.S. Consulates and Embassies is available at http://usembassy.state.gov/.

After you receive the I-20 from SVA, schedule an interview appointment at the U.S. Consulate or Embassy in your home country.  It is recommended that you make the appointment as soon as you receive the I-20.  The F-1 student visa can be issued up to 120 days before the program start date, but please do not schedule an appointment until you receive the I-20.

Note for Canadian citizens: 
Canadian citizens do not need a visa to enter the U.S. However, Canadian citizens are required to be in F-1 status in order to legally study in the U.S. In order to obtain F-1 status, you must show your Form I-20, supporting financial documentation, I-94 card, and proof of SEVIS fee payment to the immigration inspector at the port of entry when you enter the U.S.

Fill out the DS-160 Online Application Form.

Follow the instructions on your local U.S. Embassy or Consulate's website to pay the $160 visa application fee.

If your I-20 is marked for initial attendance (see Item #3 on your I-20 form), you will need to pay the $200 SEVIS fee.

If you are transferring your I-20 from another school, applying for an F-2 dependent visa, or have paid this fee and been denied a visa within the last twelve months, you do not need to pay the $200 SEVIS fee.

To Pay Online: 
It is strongly recommended that you pay your SEVIS fee online and not by mail.

Access the Form I-901: https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/

Enter SVA's SEVIS School Code: NYC214F00731000. Your SEVIS ID Number starts with an N and is listed on the top right corner of your I-20.

Complete the form online and supply the credit card information. You may use credit cards that were issued in the U.S. or in your country. Be sure to write your name exactly how it appears on your I-20.  You must enter the Credit Card Security code prior to Credit Card authorization.  The Credit Card Security code is a security feature for credit card transactions, for protection against credit card fraud. For Visa or MasterCard, the Credit Card Security code is the last three digits printed on the back of the card.  For American Express, the Credit Card Security code is a four-digit number that is printed above the credit card number on the front of the card.  (Please refer to the samples sent with your I-20.)

Print a copy of the receipt.

To pay by Western Union Quick Pay Service:
http://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/wu_instr.htm 

You must bring the receipt of the SEVIS fee payment to the interview. 

• Passport valid for at least six months
• Certificate of Eligibility, Form I-20 (You must sign the form under Item 11)
• SVA's original letter of admission
• Completed visa application form (DS-160 online)
• Two 2" x 2" photographs in the specified format (See the travel.state.gov website)
• A receipt of the visa application fee payment
• A receipt for the SEVIS fee payment. If you have not received an official receipt in the mail showing payment and you paid the SEVIS fee electronically, the consulate will accept the temporary receipt you printed from your computer. If you do not have a receipt, the consulate may be able to see your payment electronically if your fee payment was processed at least three (3) business days before your interview.
• Financial evidence of sufficient funds to cover your tuition and living expenses. You must bring the original and sufficient letter/statement from you or your sponsor’s bank.
• Any information to prove that you will return to your home country after finishing your studies in the U.S. This may include proof that your family members live in your home country, or that you have a job to return to or other ties to your community.

The visa stamp will be affixed to your passport after a short interview.

If your visa is delayed or denied
Please contact the International Student Office immediately and submit a copy of the denial letter.  The most common reasons for visa denial are failure to prove sufficient ties to your home country or the lack of sufficient proof of financial support.

If you already have a valid F-1 visa and are enrolled in another SEVP-approved institution in the U.S., you must have your I-20 sponsorship transferred to SVA.

Download the I-20 Transfer Form. Have the international student advisor at your current or previous school fill out and sign the form. Return it to SVA's International Student Office with a photocopy of your passport and your current I-20.

Your SEVIS record will be transferred to SVA when the release date is reached.  The release date is determined by your previous school.  If you are in valid F-1 status, SVA will issue the transfer I-20.