New Students

• Guide to Receiving your F1/I-20 from Howard University
• Sample Admission Offer Letter
• Passport (This must be  valid at all times for a minimum of  6 months into the future
• Financial Documents ( Official Bank Statement for checking, savings or investment accounts held by the student or the student’s family members
• Scholarship Letter from Howard University
• Scholarship letters from outside sponsors
• Approved loans
• SEVIS Transfer Documents  ( Students who currently hold active F-1  or J-1 status in the United States e.g. transfer students)
• English Language Proficiency ( J-1 Students only)
• Statement of Financial Resources

After the student has been issued a Form I-20 or Form DS-2019, students will have to apply for a new visa ( new students only), pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee or transfer their immigration status to Howard University ( transfer students only). The following documents are required for U.S. visa applications at the U.S. embassy:

• SEVIS Form I-120 or Form DS-2019
• Passport sized photograph
• Howard University Admission Offer Letter
• Passport (This must be  valid at all times for a minimum of  6 months into the future
• Financial  Support Documents ( Official Bank Statement for checking, savings or investment accounts held by the student or the student’s family members
• Scholarship Letter from Howard University
• Scholarship letters from outside sponsors
• Approved loans
• SEVIS Transfer Documents  ( Students who currently hold active F-1  or J-1 status in the United States e.g. transfer students)
• English Language Proficiency ( J-1 Students only
• SEVIS I-901 Fee payment receipt
• DS-190 confirmation receipt
• Evidence of no intention to abandon residence within your home country ( e.g. strong family ties)

New and Transfer International Students are required to confirm their arrival within the United States and  MUST check in to the Office of Immigration and Visa Services  no later than 30 days after the start date on your I-20 or DS-2019. If you do not check in at ISS, you may lose your valid immigration status in the U.S.. All international students must report to the Office of International Student & Immigration Services in order to activate their SEVIS record. All students must provide the following information to the Office of Immigration and Visa Services:

• Report to the Office of Immigration & VISA Immigration Services within 30 days of your arrival within the United States. It is REQUIRED BY LAW that you come to the International Students and Scholars Office when you first arrive at Howard whether it is your first time in the U.S. or if you are transferring from another U.S. institution. If you are transferring to Howard, you must complete the transfer procedures at ISS within 15 days after classes start. ISS will register you in the SEVIS database as having completed the transfer process
• Attend the mandatory International Student and New Student Orientation sessions
• If transferring a SEVIS record, report to the Office of  International Student & VISA Immigration Services within 30  days of the I-20 start date
• Provide Immigration documents for verification of international student status
• Report your address on arrival to the US and within ten days of moving for the duration of your stay on an F or J visa
• I-94 Record of Entry

• F1 VISA: passport, VISA, I-94 ( electronic)  and I-20
• J-1 VISA: passport, VISA, I-94 (electronic), DS-2019 and evidence of health insurance
• The following information is also required
• Email address
• Local address
• Phone Number
• Emergency Contact
• Original admission offer letter
• Proof of SEVISI-901 Fee payment