Visa Information

On This Page:
Applying for Visa Documents from Stanford Applying for a Visa to Come to the U.S. On Arrival in the U.S. Changing Your Immigration Status in the U.S. Transferring to Stanford from another U.S. Institution

For scholars at Stanford on an H-1B visa, please visit our H-1B Visa Overview page for information on obtaining an H-1 visa stamp.

 

Applying for Visa Documents from Stanford

Students enrolled in a Stanford degree program:

Before a student can apply for a student visa, they must first apply for a visa document (I-20 for F-1 or DS-2019 for J-1) from Stanford. Click on the appropriate link below:

• Graduate Students
• Undergraduate Students

J-1 Scholars and Visiting Researchers:

Departments are responsible for requesting a DS-2019 from the I-Center. Once the I-Center has issued the DS-2019, the Stanford department is notified to pick up the document and mail it to the incoming Exchange Visitor. The Exchange Visitor uses the DS-2019 to apply for a J-1 visa.

• Instructions for Stanford departments requesting the DS-2019

Applying for a Visa to Come to the U.S.

• F-1 Visa Application Process & Instructions
• J-1 Visa Application & Process Instructions - Please note that Stanford University does not issue visa documents for the J-1 trainee or intern categories. Therefore, disregard the Form DS-7002 from the checklist of required documents for the visa application.
• Links to All U.S. Embassies, Consulates, and Diplomatic Missions Abroad - visit the embassy or consulate website where you will apply for a visa to find information on how to schedule a visa appointment, pay the application processing fee, and review embassy specific instructions.
• SEVIS fee (I-901) If you are transferring from another school, you do not need to pay the Sevis fee again.
• Form DS-160 for all non-immigrant applicants.

On Arrival in the U.S.

• Electronic I-94
• What a Student or Exchange Visitor can Expect Upon Arrival at a U.S. Port of Entry
• Money and Other Monetary Instruments (to read more on reporting requirements for money over 10,000 dollars or instruments... please go to page 51 of this PDF)

Changing Your Immigration Status in the U.S.

Students enrolled in a Stanford degree program:

If you are currently in the U.S. on a non-student visa status, you most probably need to apply for student status before you begin your degree program at Stanford. More information on changing your visa status is available here

J-1 Scholars and Visiting Researchers:

Go here if you are a new prospective Exchange Visitor currently in the U.S. in another visa status

Transferring to Stanford from another U.S. Institution

Students enrolled in a Stanford degree program:

Students who are currently at another U.S. institution in F-1/J-1 status and have been accepted to Stanford may be eligible to transfer their F-1/J-1 status to Stanford. 

Upon your acceptance to Stanford, you will receive specific instructions on how to initiate the transfer process.  You should also contact your current institution on their procedures in transferring you out from their school.  

 J-1 Scholars and Visiting Researchers:

Go here for instructions on how to transfer your program sponsorship to Stanford

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