What documents do I need to apply for and renew my visa?
- Online visa application form DS-160
- Most recent I-20
- Passport (valid for at least 6 months into the future)
- U.S. passport-sized photo
- Visa application fee receipt
- SEVIS fee payment receipt (you would have paid this before starting at Messiah; you don’t need to pay it again, just have a record of it)
- Financial documents that prove you have enough money to pay tuition
It’s also a good idea to have:
- Copy of your unofficial transcript (showing that you are successfully completing classes)
- Class schedule for next semester
- Proof that you have been paying tuition fees
A visa in your passport, issued by the U.S. consulate, does not determine how long you can remain in the United States. Therefore, you may stay in the U. S. beyond the expiration date of a visa as long as the visa document (Form I-20) remains valid. Once the visa expires, it will be necessary to apply for a new visa stamp through the same process as the initial visa application at a U.S. embassy or consulate when traveling outside the United States.
As a service to international students, International Student Programs will provide a confirmation of immigration status letter for the visa renewal process.
Please Note: It is not possible to renew a visa while in the United States. Visas are issued only by a U.S. consulate in a U.S. embassy or consulate outside the United States.