{"id":19,"date":"2016-06-08T13:36:33","date_gmt":"2016-06-08T18:36:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/international-student-immigration\/?page_id=19"},"modified":"2026-01-13T14:52:28","modified_gmt":"2026-01-13T20:52:28","slug":"visa-application-and-interview","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/international-student-immigration\/visa-application-and-interview\/","title":{"rendered":"Visa Application and Interview"},"content":{"rendered":"

Obtaining a Student Visa<\/b><\/p>\n

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 deposit.<\/span><\/p>\n

Students should apply for their F-1 student visa as soon as they are able to, up to 365 days before the start of their program of study at St. Olaf, and at the nearest <\/span>U.S. embassy or consulate<\/b><\/a>. <\/span>Students will need to pay a <\/span>SEVIS I-901 fee<\/b><\/a> (currently $350) and visa processing fee. A Certificate of Eligibility Form I-20, signed by a St. Olaf Designated School Official (DSO)<\/a><\/span>\u00a0will be required for the F-1 visa application. <\/span><\/p>\n

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.).<\/span><\/p>\n

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St. Olaf Designated School Officials (DSO)<\/h4>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n