I-20 / F-1 Visa
All non-U.S. citizens and non-U.S. permanent resident holders who are planning to visit the U.S. to study are required to obtain an F-1 visa. A student who wishes to enter the US for studies on an F-1 visa will need to submit appropriate documentation in order to be issued a Form I-20 by Mason Fairfax Campus.
I-20
Form I-20 is a document issued to transitioning Mason Korea students by Mason Fairfax that indicates a student's primary purpose for coming to the United States.
The Office of International Programs and Services (OIPS) will review the application and create the form I-20 in the Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). The review process could take 3 - 5 weeks after the submission of the application. Form I-20 will be sent to students via their Mason emails with password protection.
Recommended timeline for your I-20 application.
- Fall transition: submit I-20 application by April
- Spring transition: submit the I-20 application by mid-October
Before issuing an I-20, the University is required by law to verify that a student has the funds to cover the cost of his or her academic program. We do this by asking for documents to show that the funds are currently available for the full cost of the student’s first year of study and certification that funds will be provided for subsequent years. If one's study period is less than a year, the cost can be prorated.
Please refer to the I-20 application process for further details.
Application Process
Office of International Programs and Services (OIPS) in Fairfax provides I-20 and related services for Mason Korea students transitioning to the campus. To apply for I-20, students must submit documents to show their financial responsibility.
To apply for I-20, submit the following documents to the International Services.
- Copy of passport bio page
- Passport must be valid beyone the date of your scheduled departure from the US.
- CFR Form (click to download the blank form)
- CFR form is to formally document that you are able to pay for the costs of your study on the Fairfax campus such as tuition, living expenses, and others.
- The estimated costs for the latest academic year are written on the CFR form.
- Address in Korea should be included on page 1 of the CFR
- Student and, if applicable, sponsor/parent must sign page 2 of the CFR
- Proof of Funding
- Submit proof of funding that shows the number of funds specified below or higher.
- Check out the information below for more information.
Before issuing an I-20, the University is required by law to verify that a student has the funds to cover the cost of his or her academic program. We do this by asking for documents to show that the funds are currently available for the estimated total cost of the student’s first year of study and certification that funds will be provided for subsequent years. Below you will find a list of documents that are acceptable for this purpose. We reserve the right to request additional documentation after we have reviewed what you submitted.
Each document must be presented in English on the letterhead of the agency issuing it and clearly show:
- The name of the account holder
- The amount in the account
- The currency
- Specify the liquidity of the funds, to include a statement that the funds in the account are available for withdrawal before the start date of the program
- Date document issued (must be within 1 year)
- At least one of the following:
- Signature of the issuing agency official OR
- Issuing agency stamp OR
- Issuing agency seal
Note: this requirement also applies to computer-generated documents that say no signature is required
List of Acceptable Documents:
- Bank statements or letters (click see the sample)
- Money market statements
- Stock portfolio summary statements for US-based investment companies (we accept 30% of the value stated and the document must be dated within 1 month of the I-20 application submission date)
- Pre-approved education loan and other loan certificates or letters (must specify the name of the student, dates valid, amount of loan, and any limitations/conditions)
- Gold certificate issued by a government agency, bank, or investment company (we do not accept jewelry valuations)
- Corporate sponsorship letter with the following:
- Name of student
- Program of study and dates
- Funding amount and purpose of funding (specify tuition, living expenses, and/or mandatory health insurance)
- A statement that the signatory has the authority to commit and withdraw the funds as stated
- Signed by the CEO or CFO
We do not accept:
- Real property certificates or valuations (for example, real estate)
- Salary/income/pay statements
- Retirement accounts
- Provident funds
- Corporate bank statements as proof of personal funds
- Lines of credit
- Credit Cards
- Statements from accountants or financial advisors
- Solvency certificates
Important Notes
- If you are submitting the statements of the account that your parent owns, please submit the Certificate of Family Relations in addition to your proof of funding.
Students may contact the interenational servces advisor at wpark6@gmu.edu to ask questions and receive advice regarding the I-20 application.
Next Step after Receiving I-20
The Office of International Programs and Services (OIPS) will review the application and create the form I-20 in the Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). The review process could take 3 - 5 weeks after the submission of the application. Form I-20 will be sent to students via their Mason emails with password protection.
After receiving your I-20, follow the instructions below.
- Open the document using your Gnumber.
Your name and date of birth should match the information in your passport. If you find any discrepancies on your I-20, contact oipsadmi@gmu.edu before scheduling your visa interview.
Please note that the description of the degree program in your I-20 may not exactly the same as the actual name of your degree at Mason. This is because I-20 uses information pulled from the SEVIS system, not the Mason catalog. - Print the I-20 and sign it on page 1.
Carry your I-20 at all times during your travel to the US. The Form I-20 is an important document that you should keep safe, as you will need it throughout the international student life cycle.
When your I-20 is ready, move on to the following steps.
- Pay the SEVIS Fee
- Start the F-1 visa application on the US embassy website and schedule an interview.
Students should move on to the next step INDIVIDUALLY. It is a student's responsibility to pay for the SEVIS fee and complete the F-1 visa application on time. We strongly recommend students complete these steps AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Scheduling interviews can be highly COMPETITIVE as the embassy's availabilities for visa interviews are limited.
SEVIS Fee
The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) uses SEVIS fee payments to fund and maintain the Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), the immigration database used to process documents for international students and exchange visitors during their stay in the United States.
The fee is required of all F-1 and J-1 non-immigrants who come to the U.S. for the purpose of pursuing a full course of study at institutions such as colleges, universities, and language training programs, as well as visitors who engage in exchange programs. It is normally a one-time fee.
Payment Instructions
- Go to the SEVIS Fee webpage at fmjfee.com
- Click “Pay I-901 Fee”
- Enter your name, date of birth, and SEVIS ID number as it appears on your I-20
- Pay the $350 fee with your credit card
- Print your receipt and keep it with your I-20. You will need to show your receipt when you check in with OIPS upon arrival at Mason.
F-1 Visa
Students who received I-20 and paid the SEVIS fee should individually apply for an F-1 visa at the US embassy. An F-1 visa is a type of non-immigrant visa that allows individuals to study in the United States.
An F-1 visa can only be issued by a US consulate or embassy abroad. Once students have met the eligibility requirements, George Mason University – Fairfax Campus (GMU) will provide each applicant with the necessary approval documentation to be submitted when applying for a student visa at the nearest U.S. Embassy.
Canadian citizens do not need visas to study or participate in an exchange program in the U.S. However, Canadian students do need to obtain an I-20 (or DS-2019) Certificate of Eligibility from the university, school, or exchange program they plan to attend. Upon receipt of the I-20 (or DS-2019), the student will be registered with SEVIS, the student tracking system will be assigned a SEVIS number, and will be required to pay a registration fee. When crossing the border to begin their study or exchange program in the United States, the student will need to provide the Officer at the port of entry:
- A Canadian passport;
- The original I-20 (or DS-2019) certificate;
- Proof that the SEVIS fee has been paid;
- Proof of ability to pay school fees and living expenses in the United States; and
- Proof of ties to Canada.
Application Process
According to the US Embassy in Korea website, visa applications and interview scheduling are primarily facilitated by a third-party company, U.S. Travel Docs. Click on the button below to start your process.
Visa Interview
Most visa interviews last about 5 minutes. It is important to demonstrate to the visa officer your plans of study, ties to your home country, and your plans to return home after the completion of your program. He or she may ask you questions like:
- Why did you choose George Mason University?
- What interests you about your program of study?
- What do you plan to do after you obtain your degree or certificate?
- What kind of work will you do when you return home?
Remember to be honest and yourself. First impressions are important!
Usually, a decision to grant or deny a visa is made during the interview. However, some students might be subject to administrative processing or security clearance.
Please contact oipsadmi@gmu.edu if you are subject to administrative processing, or a security clearance, or if your visa has been denied under 214b (non-immigrant intent).
You can schedule your F-1 visa interview with the U.S. embassy or consulate. Wait times for interview appointments vary by location, season, and visa category, so you should apply for your visa early. An F-1 student visa for the USA can be issued up to 120 days in advance of your course of study start date. You will only be able to enter the US with an F1 visa 30 days before your start date.
The following documents are required for your F1 visa interview:
- A valid passport
- The Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160
- The application fee payment receipt
- A passport photo
- A Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F1) Student Status (Form 1-20)
Additional documents may be requested to prove your eligibility for the F1 student visa, including academic transcripts, diplomas, degrees, or certificates. Test scores such as the TOEFL, SAT, GRE, or GMAT may also be requested, as well as proof of your intent to depart the U.S. after your program is complete and proof of your financial stability.
Contact OIPS
Office of International Program and Services(OIPS) assists transitioning Mason Korea students with I-20 and F-1 visa applications. The office also advises continuing F-1 students on maintaining F-1 status. Make sure to check out the official website for more information.
Student Union Building 1 (SUB I), Room 4300
Website: https://oips.gmu.edu/
Phone: (703) 993-2970
Fax: (703) 993-2966
Email: oips@gmu.edu
