International Student Guide for F-1 & J-1 Students
International Student and Scholar Services – What We Do
International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) provides quality services to international students and scholars in a culturally sensitive and friendly environment.
ISSS helps ease international students’ entry to the globally diverse Gallaudet University community by helping them become familiar with campus and U.S. culture and practices. It also assists international students who seek advice on immigration regulations and other concerns.
ISSS services include:
How to Apply for a Student Visa
You will need to go to the U.S. embassy or consulate nearest to where you live to apply. There are several steps in applying for a visa, and they may vary depending on the embassy or consulate where you apply. Please consult the instructions on the embassy or consulate website where you intend to apply.
Please take the following with you:
Be sure to maintain a positive attitude. Do not engage the consular officer in an argument. If you are denied a visa, try to get a written explanation of why you were denied and ask the officer for a list of the documents he or she would suggest you bring in order to secure a visa.
Canadian Students
A Canadian citizen does not need a visa for entering the United States as a student. At the border crossing point, you will have to present your valid passport, SEVIS Form I-20, SEVIS Receipt, admission letter from Gallaudet University, and financial support documents to the U.S. immigration officer.
Note that if you are a landed immigrant, a refugee, or have asylum status, you must follow the “How to Apply for a Student Visa” procedures explained above.
New Students – F-1 or J-1 student visas can be issued up to 120 days in advance of the course of study start date. However, you will not be allowed to enter the United States in F-1 or J-2 status earlier than 30 days before your start date.
Students Currently in the U.S. - These students may renew their visas at any time, as long as they have maintained student status and their SEVIS records are current. Continuing students may enter the United States at any time before their classes start. Students currently studying in the U.S. usually do not have to pay the fee again. The fee is tied to the SEVIS ID number, and as long as the student has maintained their status, the SEVIS record can be transferred to Gallaudet without paying the fee again.
At the Port of Entry in the United States
All students should make arrangements to arrive in the United States no later than the program start date specified on the first page on their SEVIS Form I-20 or Form DS-2019.
At the port of entry, a United States immigration officer will ask students to present their passport, SEVIS Form I-20 or Form DS-2019, acceptance letter from Gallaudet, and proof of financial support. The immigration officer should return these documents.
On April 30, 2013, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) launched a new automated I-94 Arrival and Departure Record System.
There will be no change in students’ ability to enter or depart the U.S.
A CBP officer will scan their passport, generating an electronic arrival record with data elements found on the current paper Form I-94. CBP will make the electronic I-94 available at www.cbp.gov/I94. A CBP officer will stamp the travel document of each arriving nonimmigrant traveler. The admission stamp will show the date of admission, class of admission, and the period of time that the traveler is admitted. Students do not need to print out their I-94 in order to depart or enter the U.S. The electronic I-94 form should be kept and stapled with the Form I-20 or Form DS-2019.
Getting to Gallaudet University
Gallaudet University is located in Washington, D.C., the capital of the United State, at 800 Florida Ave, NE. Click to: Gallaudet Campus Map
There are three international airports serving the metropolitan Washington, D.C area: Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), and Washington National Airport (DCA). DCA is the closest to Gallaudet; IAD is the furthest away.
ISSS Check-in
ISSS Check-in is held at the beginning of each semester. There are two regular academic semesters per year: the Fall Semester, which begins around the last week of August and ends around the middle of December, and the Spring Semester, which begins around the middle of January and ends in early May. International students are required to come to the ISSS office in person with all immigration related documents and their immigration hold will be released before attending their classes.
NOTE: Registration will be blocked within the Gallaudet database until their immigration hold is released.
It is each student’s responsibility to know and comply with all immigration regulations affecting their visa status. Failure to comply with these regulations may mean the LOSS of their F-1 or J-1 status. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations require that students maintain full-time status each and every semester.
International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) provides quality services to international students and scholars in a culturally sensitive and friendly environment.
ISSS helps ease international students’ entry to the globally diverse Gallaudet University community by helping them become familiar with campus and U.S. culture and practices. It also assists international students who seek advice on immigration regulations and other concerns.
ISSS services include:
- Immigration issues, including issuance of paperwork
- Social and cultural adjustment
- Conflict resolution
- Assistance with cultural event planning
- Referrals to other campus units
- Help with financial concerns ISSS is located in Building 103, Room 101 and 102. (See Appendix A for campus map)
How to Apply for a Student Visa
Please take the following with you:
- Letter of admission from Gallaudet University
- Passport
- SEVIS Form I-20 or Form DS-2019
- SEVIS receipt (I-901)
- Financial support papers (You may use the same financial documents you used for your Gallaudet University Certificate of Finances form.)
- Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 ( You must complete the online visa application, print the application form confirmation page, and bring it to your interview.) Study & Exchange (state.gov)
- Photo – You may be required to upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. Your photo must be in the format explained in the Photo Requirements.
- $160 U.S. dollars for the non-refundable visa application fee, if it is required before your interview.
Be sure to maintain a positive attitude. Do not engage the consular officer in an argument. If you are denied a visa, try to get a written explanation of why you were denied and ask the officer for a list of the documents he or she would suggest you bring in order to secure a visa.
Canadian Students
A Canadian citizen does not need a visa for entering the United States as a student. At the border crossing point, you will have to present your valid passport, SEVIS Form I-20, SEVIS Receipt, admission letter from Gallaudet University, and financial support documents to the U.S. immigration officer.
Note that if you are a landed immigrant, a refugee, or have asylum status, you must follow the “How to Apply for a Student Visa” procedures explained above.
New Students – F-1 or J-1 student visas can be issued up to 120 days in advance of the course of study start date. However, you will not be allowed to enter the United States in F-1 or J-2 status earlier than 30 days before your start date.
Students Currently in the U.S. - These students may renew their visas at any time, as long as they have maintained student status and their SEVIS records are current. Continuing students may enter the United States at any time before their classes start. Students currently studying in the U.S. usually do not have to pay the fee again. The fee is tied to the SEVIS ID number, and as long as the student has maintained their status, the SEVIS record can be transferred to Gallaudet without paying the fee again.
At the Port of Entry in the United States
All students should make arrangements to arrive in the United States no later than the program start date specified on the first page on their SEVIS Form I-20 or Form DS-2019.
At the port of entry, a United States immigration officer will ask students to present their passport, SEVIS Form I-20 or Form DS-2019, acceptance letter from Gallaudet, and proof of financial support. The immigration officer should return these documents.
On April 30, 2013, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) launched a new automated I-94 Arrival and Departure Record System.
There will be no change in students’ ability to enter or depart the U.S.
A CBP officer will scan their passport, generating an electronic arrival record with data elements found on the current paper Form I-94. CBP will make the electronic I-94 available at www.cbp.gov/I94. A CBP officer will stamp the travel document of each arriving nonimmigrant traveler. The admission stamp will show the date of admission, class of admission, and the period of time that the traveler is admitted. Students do not need to print out their I-94 in order to depart or enter the U.S. The electronic I-94 form should be kept and stapled with the Form I-20 or Form DS-2019.
Getting to Gallaudet University
Gallaudet University is located in Washington, D.C., the capital of the United State, at 800 Florida Ave, NE. Click to: Gallaudet Campus Map
There are three international airports serving the metropolitan Washington, D.C area: Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), and Washington National Airport (DCA). DCA is the closest to Gallaudet; IAD is the furthest away.
ISSS Check-in
ISSS Check-in is held at the beginning of each semester. There are two regular academic semesters per year: the Fall Semester, which begins around the last week of August and ends around the middle of December, and the Spring Semester, which begins around the middle of January and ends in early May. International students are required to come to the ISSS office in person with all immigration related documents and their immigration hold will be released before attending their classes.
NOTE: Registration will be blocked within the Gallaudet database until their immigration hold is released.
It is each student’s responsibility to know and comply with all immigration regulations affecting their visa status. Failure to comply with these regulations may mean the LOSS of their F-1 or J-1 status. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations require that students maintain full-time status each and every semester.