The day has finally arrived: You’ve received your I-20 or DS-2019 form and now you can obtain your visa to come study at GW.
Getting a student visa can be simple or complicated, depending on your situation. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Once our office has your I-20 or DS-2019 form, we will email you your SEVIS ID and GW’s school code. With this information, you can schedule your visa appointment. You won’t need to show I-20 or DS-2019 form until your actual visa appointment.
- If you are a non-GW transferring student (OPT back to F-1, or F-1 to F-1 with the same SEVIS record), you should always consult with your current institution’s international services advisor with any questions because they have access to your full immigration history. If you have any doubts about your visa process, your international services advisor should be the person you speak to.
- Each student’s situation is unique. While it’s easy to compare notes with a friend, it’s extremely important to understand that your friend’s situation is not necessarily yours. Provide only information about your situation to whomever you’re contacting: our office, the International Services Office (ISO), to your visa officer, etc.
- You do not need to provide your faculty/academic or graduate professional advisor’s contact information or resume/CV during your visa appointment. GW’s School Information is on the first page of your I-20 or DS-2019 form and it includes the name of a School Official Contact. If your visa officer insists that you provide additional documentation, please email our office an official letter from the embassy with the documentation that they require.
These U.S. government websites can provide more information on the visa interview process:
If there are any questions you have about the visa process, you can always email our office or contact the ISO.
