For International Students

The Office of Admissions provides information about requirements for international applicants related to English Language Proficiency, Academic Records, Deadlines, and required financial documents, and makes all final admission decisions. Only after you are formally admitted by the Office of Admissions can you proceed to Step 2.

The Form I-20 serves to certify to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that you have been admitted to UNC Asheville for a specific program of study, have financial resources to support your academic and living expenses in the United States, and are eligible to apply for F-1 nonimmigrant student status. It will be sent to you as part of your communications with the Office of Admissions.

Receive and check your I-20 for accuracy. After receiving your I-20, verify that the biographical information matches your passport and that the Program of Study section is correct. Note that the Major 1 field may not exactly match the name of your program at UNC Asheville, but will correspond to the CIP code assigned to your major.

If any information does not match, email ldobson@unca.edu as soon as possible with an explanation of the correction needed. Once you have confirmed accuracy, sign and date the Student Attestation section at the bottom of page one.

If you have obtained a new SEVIS ID and record, you must pay the I-901 SEVIS fee before applying for an F-1 visa, applying to change to F-1 status, or entering the U.S. For more information about the SEVIS fee and how to pay it, visit studyinthestates.dhs.gov.

Review and follow the F-1 visa application instructions on the Department of State’s Student Visa page and the website of the U.S. embassy or consulate where you will apply. Bring all documents specified on the embassy or consulate’s website. Most interviews take less than five minutes, so be prepared and organized.

Tips for your visa interview:

• Dress professionally.
• Answer all questions truthfully. Misrepresentation of any facts can lead to a permanent bar from the U.S.
• Bring translated copies of your academic records and be prepared to discuss your academic plans and aspirations in detail.
• Be knowledgeable about UNC Asheville, your academic department, and your chosen field of study.
• Be prepared to speak about your future career goals and how a U.S. degree supports those goals, consistent with your intent to return home.
• Bring documentation that demonstrates ties to your home country.
• Have all documents in order and well organized.
• Before you leave the interview, make sure you receive all original academic and funding documents back. If asked to sign any document, request a copy for your records.

Check your visa for accuracy. When you receive your passport back, confirm it was printed with accurate biographical information and the correct visa type (F-1). Make sure you also have your I-20 back from the consulate.

At a Port of Entry, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer will ask about the purpose of your trip and your final destination. Be prepared to present any of the following:

• Valid passport with valid F-1 visa (visa not required for Canadian citizens)
• Original, signed I-20
• SEVIS I-901 fee receipt
• Funding information (scholarship letters and bank statements)
• Previous academic records
• Birth or marriage certificates (for dependents)
• Destination address in the U.S. (even if temporary) — do not use your academic department’s address or the UNC Asheville Office of Study Abroad
• Customs declaration form

We also recommend carrying money for initial expenses, immunization records, and documentation for any medications. Do not pack any of the above documents in checked luggage.

When you arrive in the United States (or at UNC Asheville, if transferring your SEVIS record from another U.S. institution), you will complete a UNC Asheville Immigration Arrival Confirmation. Do not complete this form from outside the U.S.

You will need the following:

• UNCA I-20
• Passport
• F-1 visa
• I-94 Arrival Record — after arrival you can print your I-94 from i94.cbp.dhs.gov
• Complete on- or off-campus address (room number, apartment number, building number, street, city, state, and zip)
• Emergency contact information for one person in the U.S. or your home country

This orientation will last two hours and cover important information you need to know about maintaining your status, employment, tax filing, and resources on campus. It is mandatory and is typically held the Friday or Saturday before classes begin. Watch for emails to your UNC Asheville address for a final scheduling announcement.

Bring your most recent I-20, passport, visa, and I-94 to orientation.

Complete the short UNC Asheville CFNC application — choose “Exchange” as the type of application — and submit all required documents to the UNC Asheville Office of Study Abroad via email:

• A copy of your transcripts of previous coursework (university or high school)
• A copy of your standardized English test scores, if you are not from a country whose national language or language of university instruction is English
• A copy of the face page of your passport
• Financial certification and bank documents demonstrating you have sufficient liquid assets to cover the cost of insurance, a standard double room, and a full meal plan

After receiving your admissions letter, student ID, and DS-2019 from UNC Asheville, you are ready to apply for your J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa. Applications require:

• Payment of a visa fee
• A SEVIS fee receipt — visit FMJfee.com for instructions on paying the SEVIS fee and generating this receipt
• A valid passport (valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay)
• Form DS-2019
• Evidence of financial support
• Passport-size photograph
• Additional forms and/or documents as required by the consulate at which you apply

Working with the UNC Asheville Office of Study Abroad and other offices on campus, you will apply for and select housing, complete your course registration and immunizations form, share your arrival information, and get your required GeoBlue insurance booked. You will continue to receive communications via your UNC Asheville email address with instructions for each of these steps.

You may enter the United States up to 30 days before the start date on your DS-2019, but make sure to be in touch with the UNC Asheville Office of Study Abroad first to make arrangements for your arrival, insurance coverage, mandatory immigration orientation, and registration in the SEVIS system.

Attendance at the mandatory immigration orientation is required to complete the government reporting requirement. Bring your passport, DS-2019, visa, and I-94 to orientation. These documents will be copied and uploaded into your electronic file.