Obtaining a Student Visa
St. Olaf College will only issue an I-20 form for the F-1 student visa application after a student has been accepted, verified their financial support, and confirmed their attendance with a $600 deposit.
Students should apply for their F-1 student visa as soon as they are able to, but no more than 120 days before the start of their program of study at St. Olaf, and at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Here are tips on applying for a student visa. Students will need to pay a SEVIS I-901 fee (currently $310) and visa processing fee. A Certificate of Eligibility Form I-20, signed by a St. Olaf Designated School Official (DSO) will be required for the F-1 visa application.
If the incoming student is outside the U.S., they must make an appointment to apply for an F-1 visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate (a valid visa is required for entry to the U.S.).
St. Olaf Designated School Official (DSO) – As of Fall 2017
DSOs are mandated to report on the academic progress of all F-1 international students. DSOs report through the SEVIS system, can produce I-20s, and can sign for travel signatures on the I-20. At St. Olaf, all immigration and employment-related questions should go through the Primary DSO (PDSO); other DSOs are available for travel signatures only.
- Caitlin Lamont Kreienkamp, PDSO
- Bryan Shealer, DSO
- Martin Olague, DSO
- Jenny Howenstine, DSO
- Cheryl LaCroix, DSO
- Tim Schroer, DSO
- Diane Strom, DSO
Entry visa stamp (in the passport)
The F-1 entry visa stamp is issued by a U.S. embassy or consulate and allows an individual to enter/re-enter the United States. Students must have a valid entry visa stamp in their passport to re-enter the U.S. from overseas. A student’s legal F-1 status while already in the U.S. is dependent upon his/her I-20 form being valid and not on whether the entry visa stamp in the passport is valid or expired.
Canadian Citizens: Are not required to have an entry visa to enter the United States.
Last Update: 12/20/2017