Visa and SEVIS Information
International students who want to study in the U.S. must have an appropriate visa. Mercer University is authroized by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to issue the Form I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for a Nonimmigrant Student Visa for students who have been accepted to one of Mercer University's approved degree programs of study.
The I-20 Certificate of Eligibility is required for students to apply for the F-1 visa, which is the most common visa for studying at a college or university in the United States.
PROCESS FOR GETTING AN I-20
| 1 |
GAIN ACADEMIC ACCEPTANCE FROM A MERCER UNIVERSITY PROGRAM OF STUDY |
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COMPLETE THE I-20 APPLICATION FORM |
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MAKE A COPY OF YOUR PASSPORT BIOGRAPHICAL PAGE |
| 4 |
GATHER YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT DOCUMENTS |
| 5 |
SUBMIT ALL DOCUMENTS DIRECTLY TO YOUR ADVISOR |
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT AND SCHOLAR ADVISORS
ATLANTA CAMPUS: BRENDA AUSTRIE-CANNADAY | austrie-cannaday_b@mercer.edu
MACON CAMPUS: RICHARD SPIVEY | spivey@rc@mercer.edu
RELATED FORMS
PROCESS FOR APPLYING FOR A NONIMMIGRANT VISA AT A UNITED STATES EMBASSY OR CONSULATE
| 1 |
RECEIVE YOUR CERTIFICATE OF ELIGIBILITY FOR A NONIMMIGRANT VISA FROM MERCER UNIVERSITY |
| 2 |
FIND THE U.S. CONSULATE OR EMBASSY CLOSEST TO YOUR HOME ON THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE WEBSITE |
| 3 |
PAY THE SEVIS FEE AND SAVE YOUR RECEIPT (FORM I-901) |
| 4 |
REVIEW THE VISA APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS ON THE EMBASSY WEBSITE, AND ORGANIZE ALL THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED WITH THE VISA APPLICATION BEFORE YOU BEGIN |
| 5 |
COMPLETE THE VISA APPLICATION FORM AND PAY THE VISA APPLICATION FEE |
| 6 |
MAKE A VISA APPLICATION APPOINTMENT WITH THE US EMBASSY OR CONSULATE |
| 7 |
ORGANIZE ALL YOUR DOCUMENTS BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT! IF SOMETHING IS MISSING, YOU MUST START OVER |
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
F-1 VISA APPLICATION CHECKLIST
J-1 VISA APPLICATION CHECKLIST
QUESTIONS?
Contact Us!
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT AND SCHOLAR ADVISORS
ATLANTA CAMPUS: BRENDA AUSTRIE-CANNADAY | austrie-cannaday_b@mercer.edu
MACON CAMPUS: RICHARD SPIVEY | spivey@rc@mercer.edu
ARE YOU COMING FROM ANOTHER U.S.SCHOOL?
Students who are already in the United States on and F-1 student visa who are either completing one degree level or transferring to Mercer University in the middle of a degree program may transfer their immigration records to Mercer University instead of leaving the U.S. and applying for a new student visa.
After a student is admitted to an academic program at Mercer University, the following two forms must be completed and submitted to International Programs, along with any supporting documentation, before the transfer process can be completed.
MERCER UNIVERSITY I-20 APPLICATION FORM
MERCER UNIVERSITY TRANSFER-IN FORM
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION FORMS
Questions?
Contact Us!
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT AND SCHOLAR ADVISORS
ATLANTA CAMPUS: BRENDA AUSTRIE-CANNADAY | austrie-cannaday_b@mercer.edu
MACON CAMPUS: RICHARD SPIVEY | spivey@rc@mercer.edu
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ELIGIBILITY |
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Persons present in the United States on a non-immigrant visa in a category other than F-1 who are currently studying at Mercer University or who wish to enroll at Mercer University may be eligible to apply for a change of status of the non-immigrant visa category to F-1 student and remain in the United States.
Non-immigrant visa holders interested in pursuing a change of status for an F-1 student status must be fully admitted to an academic degree program at Mercer University and have a valid and active non-immigrant visa and meet the requirements for receiving a Form I-20 from Mercer University.
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PROCESS |
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CHANGE OF STATUS CHECKLIST |
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The following documents are required of all applicants for a change of status. Additional documents may be required, depending on individual situations.
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