To qualify for F-1 student status, you must:

• Be admitted to a full-time academic or language program at a SEVP-certified institution.
• Demonstrate intent to return to your home country after completing your program.
• Show proof of sufficient financial resources to cover your tuition, fees, and living expenses for at least one academic year.
• Maintain a valid passport and be in good legal standing with U.S. immigration.

While studying in the U.S. under F-1 status, you must comply with the following:

• Enroll in a full-time course load during required semesters (12 credits undergraduate, 6 credits graduate).
• Do not work off-campus without proper authorization.
• Work no more than 20 hours per week on campus while school is in session.
• Maintain valid and up-to-date documentation (I-20, passport, visa).
• Report any changes to your address, academic program, or personal information to Global Innovation within 10 days.

As part of the I-20 application process, F-1 students must provide financial documentation showing their ability to pay for:

• Tuition and fees for the academic year.
  • Undergraduate students: $39,954
  • Graduate students: $17,910
• Living expenses (housing, food, transportation, insurance, etc.).
  • Undergraduate Students: $21,290
  • Graduate Students: $17,800
• Any dependents (minimum of $5,000 per year, per dependent).

Acceptable documents include:

• Recent bank statements (within 3 months).
• Scholarship/assistantship letters indicating award amount.
• Financial guarantee letters from government or organizations
• Loan approval letter.

All financial documents must be:

• Written in English or accompanied by an official translation
• No more than 3 months old.

Global Innovation at Saint Peter's is committed to processing your I-20 in a timely and efficient manner. Please review the information below to better understand the timelines and factors involved in the issuance of your Form I-20.

CGL I-20 Processing Time
Our standard processing time is 5 business days from the date we receive a complete and accurate application, including all required supporting documentation.

Please note:

• Processing time begins only after we receive a complete application.
• Applications received during peak seasons (e.g., May–August, November–January) may require the full 5 business days.

U.S. Embassy/Consulate Visa Processing
Once you receive your I-20, you must schedule a visa appointment with a U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country.

Visa appointment and processing times vary widely depending on location, time of year, and local conditions. We strongly recommend checking current appointment wait times and processing timelines via the U.S. Department of State’s Visa Appointment Wait Times tool.

Several factors can delay the issuance of your Form I-20. These include:

• Incomplete Application: Missing documents such as a passport copy, financial support documents, or Affidavit of Support.
• Insufficient Funding: Documents that do not demonstrate enough financial resources to cover tuition and living expenses for one academic year.
• Documents Not in English: All financial and supporting documents must be submitted in English or accompanied by a certified English translation.
• Unclear or Unreadable Documents: Scans or images that are blurry, cropped, or otherwise difficult to read.
• Name Discrepancies: Mismatched names or inconsistent information between your passport, application, and financial documents.
• High Application Volume: Peak periods may cause slight delays due to volume.
• Pending Tuition Deposit: We cannot issue an I-20 until the required tuition deposit has been received.

• Submit your application early (at least 30–60 days before your intended visa appointment).
• Double-check that all required documents are uploaded, legible, and properly formatted.
• Make sure all financial documentation clearly meets the required funding threshold.
• Respond promptly to any requests for clarification or additional documentation from the Global Innovation team.

Before we can issue your I-20, you must submit your tuition deposit to secure your place at SPU. Visit your Peacock Applicant Portal to submit your deposit.

After we have confirmed your tuition deposit payment, please allow 5 business days for us to process it. You will then receive an email from Global Innovation with instructions to apply for your I-20.

Once you receive the email, log in to the International Student Portal to begin your I-20 application. You will be asked to submit the following documents:

• Copy of your SPU Acceptance Letter/email. You can download your acceptance from your SPU student portal
• Copy of your passport (biographical page). Ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your intended entry date into the U.S.
• Financial documents demonstrating your ability to cover tuition and living expenses for at least one academic year (e.g., bank statements or scholarship letters). For additional information on SPU’s Cost of Attendance, visit the Enrollment Services website
• SPU Affidavit of Support. Be sure to submit the Affidavit of Support that is most appropriate for your degree level and academic program:
  • Undergraduate Programs
  • Traditional Graduate Programs

Carefully follow the instructions and submit all required documents through the International Student Portal. Please double-check that your documents are clear and accurate to avoid any delays in processing.

Once your documents have been reviewed and approved, your I-20 will be issued. Your I-20 will be uploaded to the International Student Portal where it will remain available for download.

After receiving your I-20, you must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee. This fee is required to activate your SEVIS record, which is a necessary step before you apply for your F-1 visa. You can pay this fee online at www.fmjfee.com. Be sure to keep the receipt for your visa interview.

With your I-20 and SEVIS I-901 payment receipt, you can now schedule an appointment for your F-1 visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate. Make sure to bring all required documents to your interview, including:

• Your Form I-20
• Valid Passport
• SEVIS fee receipt
• Financial support documents, and
• Admission letter from Saint Peter’s University.

You can apply for the F-1  visa up to 365 days prior to your program start date. Visit the U.S. Department of State website for information on Visa Appointment Wait Times.

If you are a Canadian citizen, you do not need to obtain a visa to enter the U.S. in F-1 student status. However, in order to be admitted into the U.S. under this status, you must present the following documents at the border:

• A valid Form I-20 (for F-1 status)
• Your admission letter from Saint Peter’s University
• Original financial documentation
• Proof of payment for the I-901 SEVIS fee (details about this fee will be provided with your I-20)
• Proof of Canadian citizenship (such as a Canadian passport)

Be sure to have these documents with you to ensure a smooth entry process into the U.S.

Once your F-1 visa has been issued, you are eligible to enter the U.S. up to 30 days before the program start date listed on your I-20. Be sure to carry your I-20, passport, visa, and financial documents when traveling to the U.S.

Upon arrival, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer will inspect your documents and admit you into the country as an F-1 student. Remember to keep your I-20 and other important documents safe throughout your stay in the U.S.

Upon arrival to the U.S., be sure to complete the Contact Information Update form through the International Student Portal.  DO NOT complete this form until you are physically present in the U.S. To complete this form correctly, you will need to enter your physical address in the U.S. and you will need to upload the following items:

• Pdf or jpeg of most recent I-94 electronic record (NOT your travel history)
• Pdf or jpeg of your F-1 entry visa (NOT your passport identification page)
• Pdf or jpeg of your passport’s identification page

The Contact Information Update form must be completed immediately upon arrival in the U.S. in order to avoid termination of your SEVIS record.

No. You must receive your I-20 and pay the SEVIS I-901 fee before scheduling your visa interview.

You must show enough funding to cover one full academic year of tuition and living expenses, plus $5,000 per year for each dependent. Undergraduate students must demonstrate a minimum of $61,244 per year. Graduate students must demonstrate a minimum of $35,710 per year.

Yes. F-1 students may enter the U.S. up to 30 days before the program start date listed on their I-20.

F-1 students may remain in the U.S. up to 60 days after completing their program or authorized practical training.