Immigration: Visa and Entry Detail
Form I-20
The I-20 is also known as a Certificate of Eligibility for nonimmigrant (F-1) student status. Once you are accepted to Cedarville University, the Designated School Official will send you an I-20 acknowledging you are accepted for a program of study at the University. The I-20 is registered with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Your I-20 shows your identification information, your program of study, and the length of the program. It also displays your assigned SEVIS identification number in the upper-left corner. This document should be in your possession at all times as you travel and is required both for obtaining your visa and to present to Customs and Immigration upon entering the United States. You MUST travel with this document!
SEVIS fees / I-901 Fee
Regulation requires that all prospective F-1 students pay the I-901 SEVIS fee before being issued a U.S. visa by the Department of State. Failure to pay the fee on his or her current SEVIS record puts a student at risk for termination.
Western Union offers a money transfer service from most countries allowing you to quickly and easily pay your SEVIS fee with a bank account, credit card, or debit card.
How to pay via Western Union »
F1-Visa
International students attending an academic program, such as a university or college, including a language-training program, require an F-1 visa. Academic programs typically provide a degree or certificate after successful completion of the program of study.
Cedarville University is approved through SEVIS to accept F-1 students only. Unfortunately, we cannot accept J-1 and M-1 students at this time.
Note: The speed of the visa process varies; each country has different wait times, schedules, and details. Please refer to the embassy/consulate instructions for visa application in your specific country.
Form I-515
If a student arrives at a U.S. port of entry and does not have all the signed required documents (I-20), has not paid the I-901 SEVIS fee, or has a SEVIS status issue, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) may either deny them entry into the United States or issue admittance with a Form I-515A.
The Form I-515A allows the student or exchange visitor to have admission into the United States for 30 days. To maintain nonimmigrant status, the student or exchange visitor must work with International Student Services to address this form, correct any entry deficiencies, and submit the appropriate documents to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) within 30 days of entry date. Failure to comply with the Form I-515A instructions may result in the termination of the student’s SEVIS status. If the student receives a Form I-515A when entering the country, International Student Services will help them comply with the form instructions within 30 days.
Form I-94: Your Admission Number
Each individual that enters the United States is given an admission number. The I-94 admission record is created electronically and maintained in the Customs and Border Protection computer system. This number links to the arrival information for that traveler (date, time, and port where the individual arrived). The admission number is required when applying for a job, a Social Security number, and a driver’s license.
How to retrieve and print your I-94 »
DACA: Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
If an international student is identified as being under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy, Cedarville University requests that a copy of the Notice of Deferred Action be provided to the International Student Services office.