Immigration Checklist

Immigration Checklist

Immigration Checklist

The Office of International Programs and Partnerships is here to guide you through the immigration process and help you prepare the necessary documents to get your visa.

Step #1   Create your MyBGSU account.

Hopefully, you’ve already done this. If not, now’s the time. You need a BGSU email account to receive important information, including your Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 from BGSU. 

Create MyBGSU account

Step #2   Submit immigration documents.

International students who want to enter and remain in the U.S. to attend BGSU must obtain:

  • A Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20) to enter on an F-1 visa OR;
  • A Form DS-2019 to enter on a J-1 visa

If you are currently on or are interested in studying on a visa type other than an F-1 or J-1 student or scholar visa, email the International Programs and Partnerships office for further instructions.

International Admissions

issrecruit@bgsu.edu
419-372-2247

Required documents for Form I-20 for degree-seeking students

Scan and email these documents to the International Programs and Partnerships office to receive your I-20:  

Are you an exchange or guest student?

Your process is a little different. You will need to show that you have sufficient financial means to support yourself while you’re in the U.S. in order to obtain your DS-2019. You will need to prove that you have $7,750 in your account for each semester you plan to be here ($15,500 for the academic year).  

Scan and email these documents to the International Programs and Partnerships office:  

  • Copy of Passport Information page  
  • Financial statement form and supporting evidence, such as a copy of your (or your sponsor’s) bank statements and affidavits of support or certificate of loan.

Note: This amount does not include personal expenses. You’ll want to have extra funds available if you plan to travel or participate in activities.  

As an international exchange student, most of your tuition costs at BGSU will be waived. However, you will be expected to pay some BGSU fees.

Fees you must pay (amounts subject to change)

  • BG1 student identity card: $25
  • International Orientation fee: $100
  • International Student Services fee: $50
  • Upper division business course fees: $12.50 per credit for any 3000-4999 level course taken in the College of Business and the College of Engineering and Innovation
  • Student health insurance (see International Student Health Insurance) If you do not claim an exemption, you are required to enroll in Plan B ($500 deductible). The annual fee: $2,180 (fall semester $852, spring semester $1,295)
  • Textbooks and other supplies

Optional fees

If you don’t opt out of each fee by the first day of each semester, you will be charged.

  • Green fee: $5 per semester (funds green and environmental projects on campus)
  • Legal fee: $13 per semester (gives you access to legal counsel)
  • Student media fee: $9 per semester (supports student media operations at BGSU – BG News and other outlets)
  • On-campus room and board (if you live in a residence hall on campus)
    Consider joining the Global Village Learning Community. Reside and learn with American and other international students in a supportive setting and have the opportunity to engage in special activities.

Fee waivers for exchange students

  • General Fee
  • Instructional Fee Undergraduate Main
  • Non-Resident Fee Undergraduate Main
  • Special Student Facility Fee
  • Registration Fee
  • Technology Fee
  • Career Center Fee
  • Counseling Center Fee

Deadline to submit documents to issue I-20 or DS-2019

November 21, 2025, for Spring 2026 semester

July 2, 2026, for Fall 2026 semester

If you miss the deadline, you will have to re-apply for a future term.

Review and notification process

The Office of International Programs and Partnerships reviews your documents in 3-5 business days and issues your I-20 or DS-2019. You may be asked to provide further information. We will send your I-20 or DS-2019 to your BGSU email. Be sure to check your BGSU email regularly during this time.

Are you a transfer student?

International students may transfer to BGSU from another school to complete a degree or begin a new program. Follow these steps to transfer:

  • Apply and be admitted to BGSU.
  • Enroll within 5 months of admission to the new program.
  • Have your SEVIS record transferred to BGSU if you are transferring from another U.S. institution. 
  • Once your SEVIS record has been transferred to BGSU, you will need a new I-20. Follow the process for F-1 students. (anchor link to start of Step 2)

Once your SEVIS record is transferred and you provide the other required documents to the BGSU Office of International Programs and Partnerships, we will issue you a Form I-20 or Form DS-2019.  

Has your immigration status been terminated?

BGSU cannot accept a terminated Form I-20. If your status has been terminated, you will need a new SEVIS record and a new I-20 from us. 

Step #3   Review your Form I-20 or DS-2019.

Once you receive your immigration documents, review them carefully and make sure all information is accurate. Incorrect information could delay or complicate your visa process. 

Follow our step-by-step guide to review your documents:

Name
  •  Is your name spelled correctly?
  • Your name on your I-20 should match your passport. Your name may be different on your I-20 if:
    1. You have a name with a hyphen or symbol in it. The SEVIS system will only recognize the 26-letter English alphabet and not allow any symbols, so names with hyphens will not have a hyphen when displayed on the I-20.  
    2. You have no surname. The SEVIS system requires if you have no surname that your first name be put in the Surname/Primary Name section instead of in the First Name section.   

These reasons are known to the visa officers and should not cause difficulty during the visa process.

Personal Information
  • Date of birth 
  • Country of birth 
  • Degree program 
  • Please check the Education Level on your Form I-20. It should state “Bachelors,” “Masters” or “Doctoral”  and match the program in which you’re enrolling. 
  • Major 1 provides information about your specific area of study.  We make every effort to match your program name as closely as possible to the code in the federal system.  However, it is not uncommon for program codes to not match perfectly. That is OK.
Reporting date

Please note the required report date (located in the Remarks section on page 1 of your I-20) and make your travel arrangements accordingly. BGSU does not accept late arrivals. If you cannot get a visa in time to arrive on campus by the required report date, contact International Programs and Partnerships about reapplying for a later term. Our office will have to issue a new I-20 for a future semester if this happens.

Other items to review
  • Is the form signed by a Designated School Official from BGSU?
  • Please read instructions on page 2-3 of the form. Sign page 1 to confirm that you understand the main visa regulations you need to follow once you are in the United States. 

If you believe there is incorrect information on your Form I-20 or DS-2019, contact International Programs and Partnerships at iss@bgsu.edu. Be sure to clearly state what information you believe is incorrect so that our office will be able to correct it. 

Please note: The Form I-20 is an immigration document.  It is not a contract with Bowling Green State University.  The costs indicated for tuition, living expenses, books and insurance are only an estimate of the first academic year of attendance (August through May), as published by the BGSU Office of the Bursar for the minimum credit hours required to be a full-time student.  Your Department may require you to enroll in additional hours to complete your program within the specified time frame.  You have received your Form I-20 because you have submitted evidence that you have the resources required to attend BGSU. 

Step #4   Pay SEVIS fee.

Your I-20 will include your SEVIS ID. You must pay the SEVIS fee to activate your SEVIS record. After you pay the fee, you can set up your visa appointment.

If you are transferring your record from another U.S. institution you will not need to pay another SEVIS fee as long as your record is active and eligible to be transferred.   

How to make payment 

You can find more information about paying the SEVIS fee and confirming that your payment has been received at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement website. 

Be sure to keep your receipt of payment. You will be able to print out an electronic receipt no matter how you paid and will need to present this as proof of payment at your visa interview. 

Canadian and Bermudian citizens 

Canadian and Bermudian citizens must present the SEVIS fee payment receipt at a United States port of entry. You will not be able to pay the SEVIS fee at the border.

Step #5   Schedule visa interview.

After you make your SEVIS payment, you can make an appointment for your visa interview. Be sure to check the requirements of the U.S. Embassy/Consulate in the country where you are located or where you are planning to schedule your visa appointment. 

Most procedures and requirements for applying for F-1/J-1 visas are standardized for all U.S. Embassies/Consulates. However, some procedures may be specific to a particular country. 

For detailed information on the U.S. Embassy or Consulate’s requirements in the country where you plan to apply for a visa, visit the U.S. Embassy or Consulate nearest you. This website also provides information on how long it takes to get an interview and a visa. 

If you cannot find answers to your questions about visas at the embassy website, contact the EducationUSA advising center nearest you.  

BGSU is unable to help you expedite visa appointments.

Step #6   Prepare for your visa interview.

Be prepared for the interview!   

Make sure you bring all the required documentation when you go to the interview, including:

  • Form I-20 or DS-2019
  • Financial support documents
  • Proof of payment of the SEVIS and visa fees
  • Completed visa application form. Follow Department of State procedures carefully when filling out the application. 

Consular officers are under considerable time pressure to conduct a quick, efficient interview because of the volume of applications they receive. 

  • Keep your answers to the officer's questions short and to the point. 
  • The written documents you present must be concise and easily read and evaluated. 

Remember that the interview takes only a few minutes. Officers often make a decision based on the impressions they form during the first minute of the interview.  

The consular officer must be satisfied on three counts:  

1. Are your ties to home so strong that you will not want to remain permanently in the United States?  

Laws generally state that you must demonstrate sufficient economic, family and social ties to your place of residence to ensure that your stay in the U.S. will be temporary.

  • Economic ties: These include your family's economic position, property you may own or stand to inherit, your own economic potential when you come home with a U.S. education, as well as evidence of your career planning and your knowledge of the local employment scene.  
  • Family and social ties: How many close family members live in your home country, compared to those living in the States? What community or school activities have you participated in that demonstrate a sincere connection to your town or country? What leadership, sports and other roles have distinguished you as a person who wants to come home and contribute your part?  

2. Are you a bona fide student? 

The officer will ask about your educational background and plans in order to assess how likely you are to enroll and remain in college until graduation. Be prepared to discuss the reasons you chose a particular college, your anticipated major, and your career plans. Bring school transcripts, national examination results, and SAT or TOEFL scores (if these tests were required by your college) and anything else that demonstrates your academic commitment.  

3. Is your sponsor financially capable?  

Visa requirements differ from country to country, but generally the consular officer wants to see assurances that you will not drop out of school or take a job illegally. How can you show that your sponsor is able to finance your education? 

Your chances are improved if your parents are sponsoring your education. If anyone other than your parents is sponsoring you, you should explain your special relationship with this person, who may be committing tens of thousands of dollars to your education. 

Provide solid evidence of your sponsor's finances. This assures the consular officer that adequate funds will be available throughout your college program. If your sponsor's income is from several different sources (such as salary, contracts or consulting fees, a farm, rental property, investments), have the sponsor write a letter listing and documenting each.   

What if my visa is denied?

If your application is denied, the consular officer is required to give you an explanation in writing. You have the right to apply a second time, but if you reapply, make sure to prepare much more carefully. The consular officer will want to see fresh evidence sufficient to overcome the reasons for the first denial. 

What if I can’t get a visa in time to enroll in the semester I applied for?

If you can’t get a visa in time, contact us about reapplying for a later term. Our office will have to issue a new I-20 for a future semester if this happens.

Step #7   Send BGSU a copy of your visa.

Email a copy of your visa after you receive it to International Programs and Partnerships at BGSU.

Step #8   Start your International Student Orientation.

Orientation consists of online modules to complete before you arrive and an in-person orientation once you get to Bowling Green.

Review orientation info and next steps

Updated: 06/20/2025 04:47PM