Admitting International Students
Visa Issuance Process
Each year the University admits over 1,000 international students to its undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs. These students are academically admitted to the University through the same process as their American peers. However, once international students have been academically admitted to the University, there is a second process that must be completed before they can enter the United States to begin their studies.
Most international students will require a student visa to enter the United States. International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) is the University office responsible for assisting admitted international students with obtaining the necessary documents for their visas and their entry to the US. Working closely with the University's admission departments, ISSS facilitates the following steps in the visa issuance process:
-
Student is admitted to the University of Pennsylvania
-
The Admissions Office sends an international student their admit packet, including instructions to apply for an I-20 or DS-2019. The Admission Office also provides the new student with a Student Identification Number (9 digits), which can be obtained from the Registrar's Office by the Admission Office.
-
Student submits a completed application for I-20 or DS-2019, financial certification and passport copy to ISSS
-
ISSS prepares a US Visa Eligibility Document:
- I-20 for F-1 students
- DS-2019 for J-1 students
-
I-20 or DS-2019 Form is mailed to the student:
- additional information sent to the new student with the I-20 or DS-2019 includes: Information for New International Students brochure, information about International Student Orientation (ISO), instructions to pay the SEVIS Fee.
- The I-20 or DS-2019 is typically mailed to the student by ISSS but Admission Offices have the option to pick-up the document from ISSS and mail it directly to the student. Some offices prefer this option because they mail the I-20 or DS-2019 to the student. If your department wishes to send the I-20 or DS-2019, please send an email to the International Student Specialist.
-
The new international student must gain F-1 or J-1 student status:
- Students who are abroad must apply for a US entry visa at the US Consulate or Embassy and enter the US in student status.
- Students who are currently in the US may need to do one of
the following:
- Change nonimmigrant status
- Complete visa transfer of school
-
Each international student must register immigration documents with ISSS within 30 days of starting a program. Typically, registration is administered during International Student Orientation (ISO).
- Transfering students must register immigration documents withing 15 days of starting a program.
Penn Admission Office Responsibilities
-
Send Application for I-20/DS-2019 Forms when notifying student of admission to Penn.
- This application should be sent to all admitted international students as early as possible in order to avoid visa processing delays.
- ISSS has prepared the Immigration Document Notice (PDF) that can be sent to students identifying the link.
-
Provide a Student Identification Number (SID) to all admitted international students upon notice of admission
-
Provide ISSS with updated financial tuition and fee figures by the end of December each year.
- Updated financial figures are required in order to revise the Application for I-20/DS-2019 Forms on an annual basis.
- The International Student Specialist will contact Penn's Admission Offices each fall semester to obtain new financial figures.
Annual Admissions Meeting
ISSS hosts an information meeting for Penn's Admission Offices each year in January. This meeting discusses the visa application process, timelines and identifies how ISSS and Penn's Admission Offices work together to facilitate the arrival of new international students at Penn. Contact the International Student Specialist for more information.