Once the good news of your acceptance to a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SERV) certified school comes, a few things need to be done before joining the institution. You will have to do them before arriving in the United States of America. That means it is better to know them to avoid any inconveniencefor not meeting the requirements. Fortunately, this article discusses them. So, without further ado, let’s see what is expected of you after an acceptance to a SEVP-Certified School. Read on!
- Accept Admittance
Yes, the school accepting you is one thing and you accepting the opportunity is another thing when it comes to SEVP. That’s why accepting your admittance to the institution is as important as the school accepting you to join it.
2. Proof your Financial Ability
As a student, you are also required to offer evidence clearing showing that your financial ability is enough to facilitate your studies in the United States of America. Besides studying, you must also be in a position to live comfortably in the United States without any financial strains whatsoever. Can you cater for the travel and living expenses? What about your tuition and the books? If yes, proof it.
3. Form I-20
It is important to note that you can only receive the form after proving your financial ability. It is the responsibility of the designated school official, often referred to as the DSO, to confirm the provided evidence and issue the Form I-20 once satisfied with the proof. Form I-20 is the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Students. It is an essential document because you need it to do various things, including:
- Paying the I-901 SEVIS Fee
- Once you visit the U.S. Department of State for a visa application
- At the port of entry, you choose when entering the United States of America
- If you decide to apply for a driver’s license or any other student benefits once you settle in the states
Besides Form I-20, you also need the SEVIS 1-901 Form to pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee. Keep in mind that the fees are paid before applying for the visa. Print your receipt to prove that you have paid before heading to the visa appointment or travelling to the United States of America.
4. Confirm that You have all the Necessary Official Documents
Besides the two forms mentioned above, there is more. However, the rest of these forms will be issued while the student is in the United States. Other necessary official documents include a passport and visa. Besides the originals, they come with copies too to give the DSO and as a backup. Don’t forget to leave another copy behind, let’s say with your family member residing in your mother country. Ensure that you don’t put your documents in the checked luggage.
Conclusion
It is always good to prepare once accepted for the SEVP. It ensures a smooth transition to the new country as you start your studies. Luckily for you, it is possible to prepare well thanks to the above discussion. So, make sure that you have done all that before travelling to the United States of America to study.
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