{"id":955,"date":"2025-07-03T11:31:02","date_gmt":"2025-07-03T16:31:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/student-life\/?page_id=955"},"modified":"2025-07-03T11:31:03","modified_gmt":"2025-07-03T16:31:03","slug":"apply-for-visa","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/student-life\/support\/international-services\/visa-rules-regulations\/apply-for-visa\/","title":{"rendered":"Apply for F-1 Visa"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"is-style-text-intro wp-block-paragraph\">Applying for an F-1 Visa can be a long process, so start your visa application well before you plan to arrive at WSU.<strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you have any questions, please don&#8217;t hesitate to contact&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:is@winona.edu\">is@winona.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n    <div class=\"panel panel--white\">\n        <div class=\"panel__container\">\n            <div class=\"panel__intro\">\n                            <div class=\"h3\">Apply for a New F-1 Visa<\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n            \n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-block accordion\">\n        <div class=\"accordion__item\" data-animation=\"fade-in-up\" data-animate=\"true\">\n        <button id=\"Review_Requirements_and_Pre-Arrival_Process\" class=\"accordion__toggle\" title=\"Review_Requirements_and_Pre-Arrival_Process\" aria-pressed=\"false\">\n            Review Requirements and Pre-Arrival Process        <\/button>\n        <div class=\"accordion__content\">\n            <p>Find your country&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usembassy.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">U.S. embassy or consulate<\/a>\u00a0to review requirements.<\/p>\n<p>Then, review the <a href=\"https:\/\/travel.state.gov\/content\/travel\/en\/us-visas.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">interview wait time<\/a>\u00a0for the location where you will apply.<\/p>\n<p>You should also review steps 1-3 in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ice.gov\/sevis\/students\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Student Process Steps for Navigating the U.S Immigration System<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\">This covers questions like:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>How do I start?<\/li>\n<li>How do I pay my I-901 SEVIS fee?<\/li>\n<li>How do I get a visa to enter the United States?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"accordion__item\" data-animation=\"fade-in-up\" data-animate=\"true\">\n        <button id=\"Pay_I-901_SEVIS_fee\" class=\"accordion__toggle\" title=\"Pay_I-901_SEVIS_fee\" aria-pressed=\"false\">\n            Pay I-901 SEVIS fee        <\/button>\n        <div class=\"accordion__content\">\n            <p>The SEVIS I-901 fee is required for all students applying for an F 1 visa, as well as J exchange visitors.<\/p>\n<p>Paying your SEVIS I-901 fee is very important. Without paying this fee, you will not be eligible to apply for a visa.<\/p>\n<p>Below are the steps to help you pay the SEVIS I-901 fee.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fmjfee.com\/i901fee\/index.html#\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">I-901 Fee website<\/a>\u00a0and select the option to &#8220;Pay I-901 Fee&#8221;<\/li>\n<li>Enter your information: SEVIS ID, last name, given name, date of birth and choose &#8220;Submit&#8221;<\/li>\n<li>Follow the remaining instructions. Keep in mind that WSU school code <strong>#SPM214F00304000<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Submit payment<\/li>\n<li>Print the payment confirmation<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"accordion__item\" data-animation=\"fade-in-up\" data-animate=\"true\">\n        <button id=\"Prepare_for_the_Visa_Interview\" class=\"accordion__toggle\" title=\"Prepare_for_the_Visa_Interview\" aria-pressed=\"false\">\n            Prepare for the Visa Interview        <\/button>\n        <div class=\"accordion__content\">\n            <p>Here are a few resources to help you prepare for the visa interview:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/studyinthestates.dhs.gov\/2018\/08\/students-prepare-your-visa-interview\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tips to Prepare for the Visa\u00a0Interview<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/travel.state.gov\/content\/travel\/en\/us-visas\/study\/student-visa.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Student\u00a0Visa Interview<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Learn more about how to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ice.gov\/sevis\/students\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">navigate the U.S. immigration system<\/a>.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Transfer a SEVIS Record<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you are transferring to WSU from another school in the U.S., you will need to work with your international advisor to complete the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Transfer-In-Recommendation-fillable.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">transfer recommendation&nbsp;form<\/a>&nbsp;(PDF) and send it to&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:is@winona.edu\">is@winona.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This will start the process to transfer your SEVIS record to Winona State University.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"reinstatement\">Apply for Reinstatement <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you have not maintained your F-1 status, you must meet with Jodi Page, the international adviser\/DSO, to get your visa reinstated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is important to quickly reinstate your F-1 status since it is illegal to remain in the U.S. without a valid visa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To apply for reinstatement of your F-1 status, complete the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/I-20-Program-Reinstatement-Form.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">I-20 Reinstatement Application Form<\/a> (PDF).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bring this form with you to your appointment with Jodi.\u00a0Email the following materials to Jodi at <a href=\"mailto:jodi.page@winona.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">jodi.page@winona.edu<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Certified Bank Check payable to Department of Homeland Security&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Copy of I-94 record. Copy of front and back if you have a card or&nbsp;find your most <a href=\"https:\/\/i94.cbp.dhs.gov\/I94\/#\/home\">recent I-94 online<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Copy of new I-20&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Completed I-539 form&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Personal Letter outlining the following:&nbsp;\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The reason that you are asking for reinstatement<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How long you have been out of status (if longer than 5 months, discuss with the ISSS prior to writing letter)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The violation of status resulted from circumstances beyond your control and that failure to be reinstated would result in extreme hardship to you<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Statement that you are currently pursuing or intending to pursue a full course of study at Winona State University<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Copy of transcript&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Copy of new financial support documents<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n    <div class=\"panel panel--white\">\n        <div class=\"panel__container\">\n            <div class=\"panel__intro\">\n                            <div class=\"h3\">Contact International Student &amp; Scholar Services<\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n            \n<div class=\"wsu-block contact-card mb-1\">\n   <div class=\"contact-card__content\">\n       <div class=\"contact-card__title h4\">\n           Jodi Page\n       <\/div>\n       <div class=\"contact-card__subtitle h4\">\n           International Student Adviser, Designated School Official (DSO)\n       <\/div>\n       <div class=\"contact-card__description\">\n           <p>Maxwell 329<br \/>\nWarrior Success Center<\/p>\n\n       <\/div>\n       <a class=\"wsu-link contact-card__link\" href=\"mailto:jodi.page@winona.edu\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"\">Email Jodi Page<\/a>\n   <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Applying for an F-1 visa can be a long process, so start your visa application promptly. WSU provides these steps to help your application go smoothly.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":0,"parent":884,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_tec_requires_first_save":true,"_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"_tribe_blocks_recurrence_rules":"","_tribe_blocks_recurrence_description":"","_tribe_blocks_recurrence_exclusions":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[8,16],"class_list":["post-955","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","category-international-services","tag-kba","tag-legacy"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/student-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/955","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/student-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/student-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/student-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/student-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=955"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/student-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/955\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5861,"href":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/student-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/955\/revisions\/5861"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/student-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/884"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/student-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=955"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/student-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=955"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/student-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=955"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}