Visas

Visa application process
It is advised that incoming students, when applying for a visa, refer to the guidelines available at the U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country. Visa applications are submitted to a U.S. consulate or embassy. It is paramount for you to familiarize yourself with the process before you apply for your student visa at the U.S. consulate nearest you (preferably in your home country).

In general, students are required to provide their visa application form (with the appropriate, non-refundable fee), their passport, an I-901 SEVIS fee receipt, the Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 or DS-2019), the International Student Addendum, along with your Rider University admission letter, bank statements, and support documents from family.

Application timelines and procedures vary. For specific information about wait times and application procedures, refer to the consulate or embassy to which you are applying or the U.S. State Department’s Web site at http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/wait/tempvisitors_wait.php.
 

Helpful tips when applying for a visa

• You must demonstrate non-immigrant intent, which means that you have a residence abroad that you do not intend to leave behind following your completion of studies.
• You must provide evidence of strong ties to your home country as illustrated by family, business, or financial support.
• You must prepare to answer questions related to your field of study and future employment/career goals.
• You must provide any documentation to support these claims, as necessary.
   

Visa denials
If your visa application is denied, you should request a written explanation from the consulate outlining the reasons for the denial. You are able to reapply for a visa; however, you should not plan to resubmit your original application. Rather, your desire to reapply should be supported with updated information that attends to the reasons for the previous denial. For more information related to visa denials, please refer to the Department of State Web site at http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/denials/denials_1361.html.
 

Security Clearances and Special Visa Processing Procedures
If you are a national of Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Sudan, or Syria, you must undergo a security clearance, in addition to your visa application. This process may take several weeks. Therefore, you must apply for your visa as early as possible since it will not be issued until your security clearance is completed and approved. For more information, please refer to the Department of State’s Special Visa Processing page at http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/info/info_1300.html.
 

F or J Visa
Most students come to the United States on an F-1 student visa. The Certificate of Eligibility (I-20) for this status is issued by Rider University.  If a student is required to participate in the Exchange Visitor Program, you need to obtain a J-1 visa. Generally, a J-1 visa is required for students who are sponsored by a government agency, international organization, or are a participant in a formal exchange program with Rider and an institution abroad. In some cases, J-1 students may have requirements that prevent them from remaining in the U.S. upon completion of studies. 
 

Early Arrivals and Tourist Visas
Important: DO NOT enter the U.S. as a tourist with a B-1, B-2 visa stamp or with a WT (waiver tourist) if you are a citizen of a country that is eligible for the Visa Waiver Program.

If you enter as a tourist, you must apply for a change of status to F-1 or J-1, in order to enroll as a full-time student. Unfortunately, the change may take several months to process and you are unable to begin your program until your new status has been approved. WT entrants are not eligible to change to any other non-immigrant status. Therefore, if you plan to come to the U.S. to study, it is crucial that you enter with an F-1 or J-1 student visa.

If your intent is to arrive in the U.S. prior to your program start date, you may do so up to but not more than 30 days before the date indicated on your Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 or DS2019). If you are unable to arrive on or before your program start date, you must contact the international student advisor to request authorization to enter the U.S. at a later date.
 

Transferring from Another Institution
F-1 Status. Students coming directly to Rider from another U.S. educational institution (that is, without traveling outside the U.S. prior to attending Rider) must inform the international student advisor at their current institution regarding their intent to transfer. This must be done within 15 days after enrollment ends in order to complete the transfer notification process.
 

Canadian Citizens
Canadian citizens are exempt from visa and passport requirements if they enter the U.S. from the Western Hemisphere. These students need to present a valid, I-20 or DS-2019 so that they will be admitted in F-1 or J-1 student status.

If you are a Canadian citizen and plan to enter the U.S. from outside of the Western Hemisphere, you are required to present a passport upon arrival. If you are a landed immigrant of Canada, you must have both a passport and an F-1 or J-1 visa to enter the U.S. Therefore, you should follow the guidelines provided in the “visa application process” section.

Important: Other than the visa and passport requirements based upon your port of entry to the U.S., all travel documents and regulations for Canadian citizens are the same as described in the previous sections.  Since changes in these requirements are possible, it is best to check with the nearest U.S. consulate to ascertain whether any changes have taken place.