Navigating the International Student Visa Process for the University of Iowa

For individuals who are not U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents, including refugees, asylees, temporary visa holders, and those who require a visa to study in the United States, the path to attending the University of Iowa involves understanding and fulfilling specific international student visa requirements. This article provides a comprehensive guide to assist prospective international students in navigating this process.

Applying to the University of Iowa

The first step is to apply for admission to the University of Iowa. You can apply through either the University of Iowa application or the Common Application (fall session only). Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis beginning mid-September. International Application deadlines vary depending on your area of study.

Key Application Steps:

Submit Your Application: Complete the online application form.
Pay the Application Fee: A non-refundable $80 application fee is required.
Upload Academic Records: Within your Admissions Profile in MyUI, upload copies of all required official transcripts from every secondary school (high school), college, university, technical/vocational institute, or professional institution you have attended.
Examine Country-Specific Requirements: Consult the Country Specific Admissions Requirement List to understand the required credentials and minimum academic standards for your country.
Meet English Proficiency Requirements: Provide evidence of English proficiency through TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo scores, if applicable. Have the testing agency send us your TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo score.
Submit ACT/SAT Scores (Optional): While the University of Iowa is test-optional, submitting ACT or SAT scores may benefit your application, especially for scholarship consideration. The University of Iowa is test optional, but applicants are encouraged to take the ACT or SAT and follow the Regent Admission Index (RAI) process and provide all materials required (ACT or SAT Scores, GPA, HS Core Courses). Our institution code is 1356 for the ACT; 6681 for the SAT.

Application Deadlines

November 3: Early Action Deadline for Fall Semester
February 2: Regular admission deadline. Applicants after Feb.

Understanding the Visa Process

Applying for a student visa can be one of the most challenging steps to becoming an International Student in the United States. The visa itself is an entry in your passport which allows you to enter the United States. The visa (F-1, B-1, etc.) specifies your purpose for coming here. Once admitted to the United States, you will then have a corresponding “immigration status” which relates to your purpose for being here and regulates what you may and may not do.

F-1 and J-1 Visas

Most international students who enter the United States to attend the University of Iowa are issued form I-20 to apply for an F-1 (student) visa and immigration status. Certain government-sponsored students, those in exchange programs, and some other students who have special affiliations with the University are given form DS-2019 to obtain a J-1 (exchange visitor) visa and immigration status. Both of these forms consist of multiple pages, all of which must remain together to be valid. If any information is incorrect, contact International Student and Scholar Services for a new form.

If you have indicated that you have a spouse or children under age 21 who will accompany you to the United States, you will get an I-20 or a DS-2019 form for each dependent so they can obtain an F-2 or J-2 visa. No other dependents qualify for F-2 or J-2 status. F-2 dependents may enroll at a university-level institution only as part-time students. F-2 dependents who wish to study full time need to apply for a change of status to F-1 student.

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Important Steps Before the Visa Interview

Paying the I-901 SEVIS Fee: Before you can submit your visa application, you must first pay the I-901 fee. After paying, be sure to print out your receipt. You will need it for your visa interview.
Submitting the DS-160 Visa Application: After paying the I-901 fee, your next step is submitting the DS-160. Here are some things to keep in mind when starting your application.
- Apply Early: The best time to apply for your student visa is as soon as you possibly can. A student visa can be issued up to 365 days prior to your program start date, so once you've decided where you want to attend and have your Certificate of Eligibility in hand, you can start this process. The earlier you apply the better chances you have of receiving a visa appointment that allows you to arrive and begin your studies in the semester you first intend to.
- Complete the DS-160 Yourself: While this doesn't mean that you have to complete the DS-160 entirely on your own, it is for the best that you are directly involved in filling it out. Discrepancies between the answers on your DS-160 and the answers you give during your interview can cause unneeded doubts in your visa officer. Completing the DS-160 yourself ensures that the answers are your own.
- Submit the DS-160 Before Scheduling Your Visa Appointment: This is a requirement.

The Visa Interview

Attending Your Visa Interview The visa interview itself can be the most intimidating part of becoming an International Student at Iowa State. Remember that your visa officer has likely sat through hundreds of these interviews with prospective students. The few minutes you have with them are their chance to get to know you.

Key Considerations for the Interview:

Be Prepared: Prepare yourself by thinking about why you plan to study in the United States and why you chose the University of Iowa and your specific program of study, and how you will communicate that during your visa interview.
Honesty and Clarity: Answering questions directly and honestly.
Required Documents: have a printed receipt indicating that you have paid the appropriate SEVIS fee (Form I-901). This fee must be paid and fully processed before you arrive at the consulate for your visa interview. Refer to: www.fmjfee.com for more information and the options available for paying the fee. We recommend that you pay using the online option so you will be able to print a payment confirmation immediately after the payment is made. You may also be required to show such documentation as your admission letter, academic transcripts, and standardized test scores depending upon the consulate’s local policies.
Consular Discretion: law gives consular officers the final say on issuing visas and rarely can anyone besides you have any influence on the decision.

Potential Reasons for Visa Denial:

Inadequate financial support: If the consul believes you do not have enough money to be a full-time student, a visa will not be issued. It is important to have proof of your ability to pay for your tuition, fees, living expenses, books, and health insurance with you.
Failure to prove nonimmigrant intent: Be prepared to convince the consul (if you are asked) that you intend to return to your home country after you finish your studies here.

What to Do If Your Visa Is Denied:

Ask the consul to give you a written explanation for the denial. If the reason for the denial is Sec. immigration code, having to do with “ties to the home country or immigrant intent,” there is nothing the University of Iowa can do to help you. You are the person in the best position to provide information about your ties to your home country and your future intentions. Likewise, the University cannot help if the denial is based on doubt about the adequacy of your financial support. If the denial seems based on a misunderstanding or a problem with your documents, we might be able to help you provide the information or clarification needed to help you get the visa; we cannot, however, intervene directly with the consul on your behalf.

Entering the United States

Upon arrival at the port-of-entry, you will need certain documents.

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Documents Required at the Port-of-Entry:

You do not need a visa to enter the United States, but you must present an I-20 or a DS-2019 form, an I-901 receipt, proof of finances to cover your program of study, and a valid passport to enter the United States as a student or exchange visitor. You will receive an I-94 card that will be endorsed as noted below.

Important Considerations Upon Entry:

Keep Documents Handy: port-of-entry - don't pack it in your checked baggage!
Secondary Inspection: Although it is rare, you might be sent to a secondary inspection area for additional questions.
Customs Regulations: In particular, there are restrictions on many types of foods, spices and medications. Customs and Border Protection.
Accessing Your I-94: You will later be able to access this information online, and ISSS can help you do so. Even though this is now an electronic record, it is still referred to as the "I-94" and you may need to later print this out for things like employment, getting a driver's license, or a Social Security card.

Additional Considerations

B-2 Visitor Visa

If you intend to study at the University of Iowa, do not under any circumstances enter the United States using this status. Consulate and request that their visitor visa be marked with the notation “Prospective Student.” Without this endorsement, an application to change from visitor status to student status will most likely be denied. Be aware that if the B-2 visa or the I-94 card you obtain upon being admitted here lacks this notation, you will likely have to leave the United States and apply for an F-1 (student) visa or a J-1 (exchange visitor) visa. Even if full-time study is allowed, individuals who are not in F-1 and J-1 status do not receive any benefits that are granted to F-1 and J-1 students, such as on-campus work authorization.

On-Campus Work Authorization

To work at an on-campus job (including graduate assistantships), students without F-1 or J-1 status must have appropriate unexpired immigration work authorization. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS). Such changes are not automatically approved, can take several months, and until the change is approved you may not receive any of the benefits of F-1 status or J-1 status (e.g., the ability to work on campus). International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) can assist you with the change of status application if you plan to enroll at the University of Iowa.

Two-Year Home Country Residence Requirement

Certain J-1 Exchange Visitors are subject to a rule requiring them to reside in their country of last residence for at least two years before returning to the United States as either a worker or a permanent resident. It is also applied to students who are coming to the United States to study in fields which are on their home country’s “skills list.” If you are subject to this requirement, your visa will include a remark stating you are subject to Sec.

Visa Interview Mandatory?

Interviews are mandatory for your first F or J visa, and normally require an advance appointment with the consulate. law does not allow the issuance of a student visa more than 120 days before the beginning date on your I-20 or DS-2019, although some consulates allow you to apply earlier and will hold your application. The consul who interviews you is required to determine that your documents are genuine, that you intend to enroll as a full-time student, that you have enough money to support yourself and any dependents accompanying you, and that you intend to return home after you finish your studies here. There is no entitlement to a visa.

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The consul who interviews you could be very busy and probably has many people to interview besides you. Thus, the consul may or may not be perceived as friendly, and may or may not ask you several questions. It is important to convey a positive personal impression during your interview.

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