Westchester Community College, State University of New York

New International Student Information

Important Visa and Travel Information for New International Students

The Office of International and Immigrant Student Services (OISS) is committed to student success. The OISS provides necessary services to meet the special needs of F1 international and immigrant students If item 3 of your I-20 indicates “initial attendance” you are required to pay the Federal SEVIS fee and have a printed receipt that proves payment prior to your visa interview.

Planning for Arrival

Travel Documents
International Students must obtain a Certificate of Eligibility form I-20 from Westchester Community College. This form is necessary to apply for the appropriate visa for entry to the United States. Your Certificate of Eligibility indicates the latest date by which you should report to Westchester Community College.

Unless you are a Canadian citizen, you must obtain a passport and a visa before you will be permitted to enter the United States. (Canadian citizens should see the special section that pertains to them).

Your Passport
You must have a passport valid for travel to the United States and with a validity date for at least six months after your proposed date of entry into the United States.

Applying for Your U.S. Visa

When to Apply
If you are currently abroad, and do not yet have a valid U.S. student visa, you generally apply for one at the U.S. embassy or consulate with jurisdiction over your place of permanent residence. Although visa applicants may apply at any U.S. consular office abroad, it is generally more difficult to qualify for the visa outside the country of permanent residence.

You should apply for your student visa well in advance of the date you would like to depart for Westchester. Remember that you are required to show proof of having paid the Federal SEVIS Fee when you appear for your visa interview. Holiday periods are very busy times at the US embassies and consulates world wide, and it is important for you to have your visa in time to arrive and begin orientation and registration activities. Appointments are now mandatory for all student visas, and some U.S. embassies and consulates require that appointments be made at least four to eight weeks in advance. All U.S. embassies and consulates have a website where you can read the latest information on visa procedures. Visit: http://www.usembassy.gov/index.html to locate the embassy or consulate near you. For information on waiting times for student visa appointments, visit the following link:  https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/wait-times.html

What to Bring With You to the Visa Interview

Be sure to bring the following with you to the visa appointment:

• Passport
• required photo(s)
• visa fee or proof of visa fee payment
• Federal SEVIS Fee payment receipt
• U.S. non-immigrant visa application forms
  (unless you will completing it at the consulate or embassy)
• Westchester Community College admission letter
• Westchester Community College SEVIS I-20
• Academic records
• proof of English proficiency (TOEFL or IELTS SCORES) – if taken
• proof of financial support
• evidence of ties to your home country
• any other documents required by the embassy or consulate

Remember that if you plan to attend Westchester Community College, you must present the visa officer with an I-20 issued by Westchester Community College. You cannot apply for a U.S. visa using anther school’s I-20, and then try to attend Westchester Community College, as that is considered to be a fraudulent entry by the U.S. Immigration authorities.

Strategies for the Visa Appointment

You are well advised to consider the following matters prior to your visa appointment, as you may be asked about each item.

1. Academics: Be definite and clear about your educational plans. You should be able to explain precisely what you wish to study and why you chose Westchester Community College for your education. Be especially prepared to explain reasons for studying in the United States rather than your country.
2. English: Anticipate that the visa interview will be conducted in English. Do not bring parents or family members with you to the visa interview. The consular official will want to interview you, not your family. A negative impression is created if you are not prepared to speak on your own behalf.
3. Ties to Your Home Country: Demonstrate convincing reasons for consular officials to believe that you intend to return home after studies in the United States. Emphasize ties to your home country such as employment, family obligations, property or investments that you own or will inherit, and clear explanations of how you plan to use your education to help your country or pursue a career when you return home.
4. Financial Documentation: Be prepared to prove financial ability to pay for your education and living expenses. You must show the consular officer that you have the annual amount in United States dollars listed on your I-20 form. Your financial evidence should be in the form of bank statements, affidavits of support, scholarship award letters, etc.
5. Be concise: Because of the volume of visa applications, all consular officials are under considerable pressure to conduct a quick and efficient interview. They must make a decision, for the most part, on the impression they form during the first minute or two of the interview. Consequently, what you say first and the initial impression you create are critical to your success. Keep your answers short and to the point.
6. Not all countries are the same: Applicants from countries suffering economic problems or from countries where many students have remained in the United States as immigrants will have more difficulty getting visas. Statistically, applicants from these countries are more likely to be intending immigrants. They are also more likely to be asked about job opportunities in the United States.
7. Dependents Remaining at Home: If you have a spouse and/or children remaining behind in your home country, be prepared to address how they will support themselves in your absence. This can be an especially tricky area if you are the primary source of income for your family. If the consular official gains the impression that your family members will need you to remit money from the United States in order to support them, your student visa will almost surely be denied.

Visa Denial or Visa Delay

The vast majority of Westchester Community College students will be successful in obtaining their student visas. Despite this, a small number of students may have their visa applications denied.

The most common reasons for visa denial are:

• failure to prove sufficient ties to your home country, or
• failure to provide sufficient evidence of financial support

The visa officer must verbally inform you of the reason for the visa denial. If your visa is denied, please send an e-mail message to Anne.Verini@sunywcc.edu and provide the date and location of your visa interview, and details regarding the reason given by the visa officer for the denial.

Much more common than a visa denial is a visa delay. This is why it is so important to apply for your visa EARLY! Here are some of the most common reasons for visa delays:

• Closings or reduced hours at U.S. visa issuing posts abroad due to security concerns
• Closings or reduced hours at U.S. visa issuing posts abroad due to political instability in the host country
• Student’s records do not appear in the SEVIS system at the U.S. embassy or consulate, even though the student presents a SEVIS I-20.
• If you are told that your record does not appear in the visa officer’s SEVIS system, immediately contact the Office of International Student Services at Anne.Verini@sunywcc.edu and provide the date and location of your visa interview. We will in turn contact the appropriate authority to have your SEVIS record re-submitted directly to the location where you have applied for your visa.
• Student not presenting proof of Federal SEVIS Fee payment
• The need for a security clearance prior to visa issuance if the visa applicant is determined to be pursuing a “sensitive area of study” as indicated on the State Department’s Technology Alert List.
• The need for a security clearance prior to visa issuance if the visa applicant has ever been arrested in the United States, or if the applicant has a name identical to or similar to a person with a previous arrest record.
• The need for a security clearance prior to visa issuance if the visa applicant is male, between the age of 16-46 and a citizen of or born in one of the designated countries requiring security clearances (Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Egypt, Eritrea, Indonesia, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen).
• The need for a security clearance for any non-immigrant visa applicant, male or female, age 16 or older who is a national of or permanently residing in Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Sudan or Syria. Such individuals will not be issued visas unless the applicant can show evidence that he or she is not a threat to U.S. national security.
• The new U.S. Department of State requirement that all applicants for non-immigrant visas be interviewed. This new policy has created delays at visa issuing posts around the world.

Similar to a visa denial, the visa officer must verbally inform you of the reason for the visa delay. If your visa is delayed, please send an e-mail message to Anne.Verini@sunywcc.edu and provide the date and location of your visa interview, and details regarding the reason given by the visa officer for the delay.
The U.S. State Department has prepared information on student visas on its web site which may be useful to you. Visit:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en.html

Special Note for Citizens of Canada

Citizens of Canada are not required to obtain a U.S. visa to enter the United States. However, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer will inspect your papers, either at a pre-inspection site in Canada or upon entry to the United States. You must have with you:

• proof of Canadian citizenship
• your admission letter to Westchester Community College
• proof of Federal SEVIS Fee Payment
• your Westchester Community College Certificate of Eligibility (I-20)
• proof of financial support that corresponds to the information on your I-20

It is essential that you enter the United States in the appropriate status, so be sure to have complete documentation with you.

If You Are Currently in the United States

F-1 Students:
If you already have valid F-1 student status by being enrolled at another school, college or university in the United States, you are required to complete the Transfer Verification Form and requested that the international student advisor at your current school release your SEVIS record to Westchester Community College. Your new Westchester Community College I-20, endorsed for pending transfer, is mailed to you as soon as the release date for your SEVIS record (as determined by your previous school) is reached. Once you are enrolled at Westchester Community College and we have confirmed your registration, the transfer process will be completed. If you are in F-1 status, a new I-20 will be issued to you. Be sure to report to the office of International Student Services as soon as possible after your arrival.

All Other Non-Immigrant Visa Classifications
If you are currently in the U.S. in a visa classification other than F-1, you should contact the Office of International Student Services for information.

Things to Bring

Climate and Clothing: New York State has a varying climate with four distinct seasons:

Temperatures vary considerably from year to year. During spring, summer, and fall, moderate periods of rainfall occur; snow falls periodically during the winter months. Three basic types of clothing are essential. In winter, heavy jackets or overcoats, hats, scarves, gloves, and boots are needed. During chilly autumn and spring days, raincoats or medium-weight wool coats or jackets are worn outdoors, sweaters indoors. A light-weight jacket is sometimes necessary for cool nights during spring, summer, and fall.

Personal items: Most students like to bring examples of arts, crafts, traditional dress, photographs, tapes or CDs, maps, or other items descriptive of their country and culture, both to show interested Americans and to provide a touch of home decoration in their new homes. You may want to bring items you use regularly that may not be readily available, or may be more expensive, in the United States–for example, eyeglasses, cameras, watches, or portable radios. You may also have the opportunity to visit a duty-free port where such items may be purchased at a reduced cost.

Things to Leave At Home

You can obtain a booklet on customs regulations at the consulate or embassy where you acquire your visa. Prohibited items include some foodstuffs, narcotics, and items for resale. For more information, visit the website of the U.S. Customs Service at: https://www.cbp.gov/travel

Since students are expected to buy required textbooks for all courses, and supplemental reading materials for review and research are available in libraries, you need not bring any books used in previous study.

It is best to purchase electrical appliances after you arrive: appliances manufactured outside the U.S. may not be compatible with the United States power supply.

Arrival in the United States

Port of Entry Procedures
Once you have obtained your U.S. student visa, you are ready to finalize your travel plans. Be sure to have your I-20 form (for F-1 visas) and your proof of Federal SEVIS fee payment with your passport and F-1 Visa when you go through your immigration inspection at the U.S. port of entry. Remember that if you plan to attend Westchester Community College, you must present a certificate of eligibility endorsed for study at Westchester Community College.

DO NOT enter on anther school’s certificate of eligibility, as that is considered to be a fraudulent entry by the U.S. Immigration authorities.

DO NOT attempt to enter the United States on a visitor/tourist visa (B-2) unless it is designated “Prospective Student” by a consular officer. The U.S. Immigration Service rarely authorizes a change of status from B-2 to F-, and you will be prevented from enrolling in school until your change of status application is approved, which could take several months.

DO NOT attempt to enter the United States under the visa waiver program, available to citizens from nearly 30 countries throughout the world. The waiver program is designed for tourists only, and attending school under the waiver program is a clear violation of U.S. immigration law.

Expect to go through both immigration and customs inspection at the U.S. port of entry. You may also be required to go through a pre-inspection procedure at certain airports abroad. At the immigration booth, present your passport, your I-20, your F-1 Visa, and your proof of Federal SEVIS fee payment. Expect to have your index fingers scanned for fingerprint purposes and a digital photograph taken, as required by new U.S. federal regulations.

Anyone who is denied admission at a U.S. port of entry should be very cautious about arguing with the immigration official. You may risk being issued “expedited removal,” which now entails a five-year bar on admission to the United States. If you are denied admission, first try to contact the Office of International Student Services for assistance, but also make it known to the immigration official that you are willing to withdraw your application for admission to the country rather than be subject to expedited removal.

Automated Form I-94

In the past, most non-immigrants admitted to the United States were issued a small white card designated as FORM I-94. This card served as evidence of lawful admission and “alien registration” that was required by law.

On April 30, 2013 a new electronic FORM I-94 was implemented. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will continue to provide each traveler with an admission stamp in the passport that shows the date of admission, class of admission and admitted-until date.

Students arriving in the United States with an F-1 visa should print the electronic version of the FORM I-94. The paper FORM I-94 will be required by other government agencies when applying for future benefits. Please go to www.cbp.gov/I94 to print the FORM I-94 and keep it in a safe place with your passport.

The Office of International Student Services will require a copy of the FORM I-94 and your F1 visa. Please bring these documents to the Administration Building, room 111 as soon as you arrive on campus.

Money
It is a good idea to exchange currency for U.S. dollars before your departure, but you should not travel with large amounts of cash–there is too much danger of loss or theft. If you anticipate bringing large sums of money to the United States, ask a bank about the safest and most convenient means of carrying or transferring funds. If you make arrangements for funds to be transferred in U.S. dollars to a U.S. bank before you leave home, that money will be available to you when you arrive on campus. Foreign currency is not available in most U.S. cities, and Westchester Community College and all local businesses accept only U.S. dollars.

No financial aid from the College is available for international students. Foundation Scholarships are awarded competitively by an application process every semester. These Scholarships are open to those international students who have already been accepted by the college and have enrolled for classes. They are not available for use as financial support on the initial international student application.

Do not proceed to the College with the expectation that you may be awarded a scholarship at a later date; plan on meeting your own educational expenses for the duration of your studies. No long term or short term loan funds are available through the College. All students must therefore bring enough money to cover their expenses.

Married students who wish to have their families join them should realize their financial burdens. A married couple who can live inexpensively will require at least $10,000 more per year than a single student will. Additional funds are necessary for each accompanying child for a minimum standard of living. Visas are not issued to the family of students unless they have sufficient funds for dependents in addition to the amount required for the single student. Many students find it best to delay bringing their families until they have found housing and settled in the community.

Review of Important Information

We hope this information is helpful to you as you arrange for your new educational experience. You are encouraged to re-read it and carefully note the items that pertain to your situation. Please pay careful attention to your requirements and obligations. To summarize:

1. Make sure your travel documents are in order. Do not finalize your arrangements until you have your passport, Certificate of Eligibility (I-20), and visa stamp. You may enter the United States only if your Certificate of Eligibility is endorsed to the college or university in which you intend to enroll.
2. Take care of your financial obligations and arrange for proper monetary transfer. Carefully review requirements for obtaining foreign exchange. Make sure you have adequate funds.
3. Plan to arrive on campus on the date designated.
4. Be prepared to discuss your academic plans and interests with your international student advisor. Do not register for classes without seeing Anne Marie Verini during the registration period.
5. If you do not plan to enroll at Westchester Community College in the semester for which you have been admitted, return the Certificate of Eligibility to the Office of International Student Services and notify the Anne Marie Verini of your decision.

Again, we wish you a warm welcome to Westchester Community College

Office of International Student Services
Division of Student Access, Involvement and Success
Westchester Community College
State University of New York