The Visa Process
Once you have submitted all your application credentials, your complete application will be evaluated for admission by the International Recruitment Coordinator. Only upon acceptance to the University can you begin the process of applying for an F-1 or J-1 student visa. If you are accepted, the International Recruitment Coordinator and Director of International Services will aid you through this process so that you can arrive on campus problem-free.
In order to apply for an F-1 or J-1 visa, you must present an I-20 or DS-2019 form issued by Arcadia University to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Arcadia's Director of International Services will issue the I-20 or DS-2019 only after you gain acceptance to the University, submit a non-refundable $200 deposit and present a Declaration of Finances to our staff. The Declaration of Finances must demonstrate that your sponsor has enough liquid funds to cover the costs of one year of your Arcadia education minus any scholarships you may receive. Currently, the cost for one year of study for our undergraduate program is approximately $43,000 (the cost per year for our graduate programs vary depending on the program selected. For more information please contact us at international@arcadia.edu). This figure includes tuition, room and board, fees, medical insurance and estimates for living and local travel expenses. In addition to submitting bank statements or a letter from the bank or employer showing sufficient funds, sponsors must also write a letter which indicates their relationship to you and their intended level and duration of support. A notarized translation of the bank statements and letter(s) must also be included if they are not originally written in English.
Once an acceptable Declaration of Finances and sponsorship letter are received, Arcadia will send the I-20 or DS-2019 form and enrollment packet to you via express mail. You should apply for an F-1 or J-1 visa at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Please call the office in your country to see what documentation is required for the visa application. A helpful website is: http://travel.state.gov.
Please remember that you will need to schedule an interview as part of the process and that the application procedures may have changed since 9/11/01. Many consular posts now only process F-1 or J-1 visa applications by mail. Therefore, you should allow plenty of time for the process, keeping in mind that the busiest months for consular sections are June, July and August. The earlier you begin the Arcadia University application process, the earlier you can begin the F-1 or J-1 visa application process and the more likely you are to receive your visa in time and arrive on campus to begin your Arcadia adventure!
SEVIS 901 Fee
Please note that Arcadia University will reimburse individuals for the $100 SEVIS 901 fee once they receive their F-1 visa and register for courses at Arcadia. For more information about the SEVIS 901 fee, please visit www.fmjfee.com.
