Next Steps for Admitted International Students

Your I-20 is the document you will need to apply for an F-1 student visa. As soon as you receive your NSU acceptance, submit the documents below to receive your initial I-20.

Submission Deadlines for Initial/Transfer I-20 Requests

• Summer Semester: April 1
• Fall Semester: August 1
• Winter Semester: December 1

• Completed I-20 Process Form (download, print, and complete the form accurately).
• Copy of the biographical page of your passport
• To obtain the form I-20, you must show you have sufficient financial support to cover the "Cost of Attendance" for one year (12 months) of your program at NSU, including academic costs, minimum living expenses, and cost of health insurance.
  • Cost of Attendance spreadsheet
  • Acceptable Financial Documents
• Sponsorship Form (if applicable) for each sponsor
• Foreign address and phone number (address in your home country)
• Transfer Authorization Form (if you are transferring from another U.S. university)
  

Submit all documents in one email to intl@nova.edu. Processing time for Initial I-20 issuance is 5-10 business days upon receipt of your documents. Incomplete documents, corrupt files, and incorrect information will result in processing delays

All I-20s are issued electronically. I-20 documents can be mailed, upon request, at the expense of the student.

Students who come to the United States to study must apply for a student visa at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their home country.

How to Apply

• Receive your Initial I-20 Document
• Pay your SEVIS Fee
• Book your visa appointment
• Visit your local U.S. Embassy's homepage for visa application, fee payment, and appointment booking

Documents for Embassy Appointment

• I-20 issued by NSU
• Valid passport
• Original financial documents
• SEVIS I-901 payment receipt  

Important Notes

• Embassy appointment availability differs on home country, and could sometimes take weeks to book. Begin the I-20 process early to avoid delays and the potential inability to arrive in the U.S. before your program start date.
• Canadian and Bermudian passport holders: You are NOT required to obtain an F-1 visa but you must still pay the SEVIS I-901 fee.

• Retrieve Your Username (You will need your NSU ID#)
• Set Your Password

Contact your admissions adviser or program adviser for information on registering for classes. Utilize the full list of NSU's Academic Programs to identify contact information for your program. Many courses fill quickly, so contact your adviser as soon as you receive your acceptance to NSU.

All students must complete the Student Enrollment Agreement (SEA) in order to register for classes. The SEA requires students to agree with NSU standards and policies. 

It is the student's responsibility to secure housing for the duration of their stay at NSU. The university does not assist with or guarantee housing for graduate level students.

Visit the NSU Office of Residential Life and Housing for on and off-campus housing resources and policies.

On-Campus Housing  Off-Campus Housing

Additional Resource

International Student Rental Policies by Local Housing Partners - Use this spreadsheet to determine the policies NSU's local apartment complex partners have for renting to international students, especially those without Social Security Numbers SSN.

Health Insurance

All NSU students are automatically enrolled in the NSU Student Health Insurance Plan and your student account will be charged accordingly. If you are insured under another insurance plan, you must opt out of the NSU Student Health Insurance plan each academic year by the given waiver deadline. 

• Health Insurance Information
• Waiver Information

Questions about the NSU Student Health Insurance should be directed to studenthealth@nova.edu.

Immunization Records

All students living on campus must submit their immunization records to housing@nova.edu. Students will not be permitted to move into their on-campus housing unless immunization records are received. 

Pay Your NSU Bill

Payment for NSU student account charges is due in full at the time of registration. Students will not be able to check-in to the Residence Life and Housing halls until all requirements to satisfy outstanding student account balances have been fulfilled. 

You may view your student account status in SharkLink.

• Student Billing Accounts
• Payment Policy
• Payment Options 

Submit Your Final Transcripts

Mail your official transcripts to:

To complete your F-1 check-in, you will receive an email from our office titled "International Student and Scholar Portal - Account Creation." Follow the instructions in the email to create your new account. Once the account is created, upload the following documents and information:

• Biographical page of your passport 
• First page of your NSU I-20 
• First page of each F-2 dependent I-20 (if applicable)
• Printed I-94 Form (Click on "Get Most Recent I-94")
• Copy of F-1 visa (except students from Canada or Bermuda)
  • If you obtained your F-1 status through the change of status process, please submit the I-797 Notice of Action indicating your Change of Status to F-1 was approved. 
• Proof of your SEVIS Fee payment (Click on "Check I-901 Fee Status")
• Signed F-1 Students Responsibility Acknowledgement 
• Local U.S. address where you are living

Processing Time

Your SEVIS record will be activated approximately 5-7 business days after you submit your F-1 check-in documents. SEVIS activations must be completed 24-72 hours before students are able to apply for a Social Security Number or Driver License. 

Deadlines for students with:

• Initial Attendance or Change of Education Level I-20: The F-1 check-in must be completed no later than 10 days after the start of the program start date, as listed on your valid NSU I-20. 
• Transfer Pending I-20: The F-1 check-n must be completed no later than 10 days after the start of the program start date, as listed on your valid NSU I-20.
• Change of Status I-20: Do not submit the form until your Change Of Status has been approved. Once approved, the F-1 check-in must be submitted no later than 10 days after the start of the program start date, as listed on your valid NSU I-20.