Important Visa Information
You will need a student (F-1) or exchange visitor (J-1) visa from the American Embassy or Consulate in your home country. Do not obtain a “B” (tourist/visitor) visa, because you will not be able to change it to an “F” or “J” status.
F-1 Visa : This is the most common student visa. After your application for admission is approved, the MSU College of Law Office of Admissions will issue you a Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 Form). Immigration regulations require you to attend the university or college whose I-20 Form you used to enter the United States.
J-1 Visa : The Exchange Visitor visa classification is available to students supported financially by an agency or government. After your application for admission is approved, you will be issued a Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status (IAP-66 Form).
When applying for a visa, you must present the following documents at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate: a valid passport plus the I-20 or IAP-66 Form. You will also be asked to show proof that you have adequate financial support to attend MSU College of Law.
Depart for the United States only after you receive formal notice of acceptance and the I-20 Form or IAP-66 Form from the Office of Admissions and have obtained the student visa. Students may not enter the United States more than 30 days prior to the first day of class.
Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)
Effective January 2003, with the implementation of the SEVIS, all international students holding F and J visas will be required to comply with new U.S. Government regulations. SEVIS is designed to help the U.S. Government keep track of nonimmigrant students. A few key points about SEVIS include the following:
The U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) now requires that a SEVIS fee be paid for each visa applicant. The fee is $100 USD and can be paid via credit card by visiting https://www.fmjfee.com. A receipt showing payment of this fee must be presented to the customs official when entering the United States.
The Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 Form or IAP-66 Form) that MSU College of Law issues you to assist your visa application will have a bar code on it that identifies you. You must present this form every time you enter the United States. It is very important that you keep track of this form. It is also important that the name you use on your application form should be the same spelling and order as that which appears on your passport.
You will learn more about SEVIS and your responsibilities to maintain your student status when you arrive on campus. Please feel free to contact the Office of Admissions should you have questions about obtaining your visa and your immigration status while in the U.S.
Information on World Education Services, Inc. (WES), Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE) and the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) LL.M. Credential Assembly Service (LLMCAS)
WES, ECE and the LSAC LLMCAS are credential evaluation services foreign students may use when applying to attend school in the United States. You should contact one of these organizations to have your transcript from the institution granting your law degree and/or bachelor’s degree evaluated. The LSAC credentialing service provides additional services, including collecting and distributing TOEFL scores and other documents required by each law school to which you apply. Contact information is below. When requesting service from these organizations, you should specify a Course-by-Course Report. These reports generally take two to four weeks; although, rush service may be available for additional cost.
World Education Services, Inc. (WES)
www.wes.org
World Education Services
P.O. Box 745, Old Chelsea Station
New York, NY 10113-0745
U.S.A.
phone 800-937-3895
fax 212-966-6311
e-mail info@wes.org
Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE)
www.ece.org
Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.
P.O. Box 92970
Milwaukee, WI 53202-0970
U.S.A.
phone 414-289-3400
fax 414-289-3411
e-mail eval@ece.org
LSAC’s LL.M. Credential Assembly Service
www.llm.lsac.org
LSAC LL.M. Credential Assembly Service
662 Penn Street, Box 8511
Newtown, PA 18940-8511
U.S.A.
phone 215-968-1315
fax 215-504-1456
e-mail LLMinfo@LSAC.org