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About Greenville
About North Carolina
The I-20 for F-1 students and the DS-2019 for J-1 students serves as your "application" for a U.S. visa. Please take a few minutes to review your I-20 or DS-2019. Make sure all information printed about you and your program of study is true and accurate. If there is an error on the I-20 or DS-2019, please contact our office. If there are no errors, sign and date the I-20 or DS-2019 as required. Finally, note that you have been given a "reporting date." This is the date by which you should enter the U.S. If you will be arriving late, please contact our office for advice.
Non-immigrant visa applicants are normally required to submit the following documentation to the U.S. consulate abroad:
What to do
Be sure to write your name exactly as it appears on your I-20 or DS-2019. Print a copy of your online receipt. Make a copy of your receipt, and keep it with other important immigration documents. Take the receipt of fee payment with you to the interview. If you have lost the receipt, the Visa Officer should be able to view your payment history in his or her database. Electronic payments must be submitted at least 3 business days before your visa interview. Mailed payments must be sent early so that the check or money order has time to reach the Department of Homeland Security at least 3 business days before the scheduled interview.
Note: If you are transferring schools, extending your program, applying for an F-2 dependent visa, or have paid this fee and had been denied a visa within the last twelve months, you do not need to pay the $200 SEVIS fee.
It is sometimes also advisable for continuing students to submit copies of transcripts or an advisor's letter stating that the student is making good progress toward the degree.
Please double check with the Consulate where you will be applying to verify the required application documents and procedures. You may find a list of all U.S. embassies and Consulates here: usembassy.state.gov.
If you are denied a student visa
You have probably not sufficiently proven to the consular officer that you are entitled to student status. In most cases, the denial will be based on failure to prove “permanent residence" or “compelling ties” to your home country. A visa denial is not permanent and may be reconsidered if you show further convincing evidence. We strongly suggest that you contact East Carolina University if you are denied a visa so that we can assist you in your second application to the U.S. Consulate.