Visa Information

Applying to W&M

• International Students: Apply to W&M through the Undergraduate Admission or through Graduate Admissions.  
• International Scholars: Once you receive an invitation from a department to host you at W&M or VIMS, you will complete the process to become a J-1 scholar with your department. Once you and your department complete the process, you will receive a DS-2019 and can apply for your visa.

Choosing a Visa Type

F-1 is most often used for degree-seeking students. For the F-1 visa, we will issue an I-20 document for the student. F-1 status is very flexible, especially for students who may change their program of study.

J-1 is primarily used for visiting exchange students (from one of the universities with which W&M has a tuition exchange) but other students may also qualify if a substantial portion of their funding for school comes from a source other than family or personal funds. For the J-1 visa, we will issue an DS-2019 document for the student.

Requesting your I-20 or DS-2019 to Begin Study

1. Once you have been admitted to W&M or VIMS and paid your enrollment deposit, you will receive an email from our online system iStart. 
2. Through iStart, you will complete an online form and upload copies of your passport identity page (if you have one) and financial documentation (i.e., proof of funding).
3. The request will be electronically endorsed by your admissions office and then routed to the Office of International Students Scholars & Programs (ISSP).
4. ISSP will issue the I-20 or DS-2019, send it to you, and notify you that it is on its way. You will use it to apply for your visa.

Applying for a Visa

• F-1 student visa (with an I-20)
• J-1 student or scholar visa (with a DS-2019)
• F-2 and J-2 dependent visas: Spouse and children
• F-1 transfers: Transferring your immigration record from another US school or university to W&M or VIMS
• Changing Status: Your immigration options if you are in the U.S. in another immigration status and would like to change status to F-1 or J-1
• Studying in another non-immigrant status

If you have any immigration questions, contact the Office of International Students Scholars & Programs.

Selecting Travel Dates

• You may enter the U.S. up to 30 calendar days before the program start date on your I-20 or DS-2019. On the I-20, you can also see the “Earliest Admission Date”. Students who recently attended another US school and have transferred their immigration record to W&M are not bound to this rule.
• If your arrival to campus will be delayed, please contact the Office of International Students Scholars & Programs so that we can provide guidance.

• Booking your flight:

  • New undergraduate students, including exchange students, are required to attend the New Student Orientation.
  • Please also refer to the academic calendar and residence hall schedules (if you are living on-campus) before you book your flight tickets. Exams cannot be scheduled around flights, and on-campus housing closes shortly after the exam period.
  • Graduate students should check with their programs to determine when they should arrive on-campus for program orientation, etc.

Traveling to the U.S.

When you first arrive in the U.S. at the airport or border, you will go through an immigration checkpoint and will answer questions from an immigration officer about the purpose of your stay.

Keep these documents with you in your carry-on luggage: 

• Passport
• F-1 or J-1 visa (located in your passport).
  • Bermudan or Canadian citizens do not need a F-1 or J-1 visa to enter the U.S..
• I-20 (for F-1s) or DS-2019 (for J-1s)
• Admission or invitation letter from William & Mary or VIMS
• Receipt of SEVIS fee payment
• Financial documents (such as bank statements, scholarship details, etc.)
• US Customs Declaration Form (you will receive that on the flight to the U.S.)