Visa Information

BYU-Idaho is currently only issuing documents for those seeking a type of F visa (issued F-1 or F-2 visas). An F-1 visa allows the holder to study full-time and work only on campus. An F-2 visa is the dependent of the F-1 visa holder and can study part-time but cannot work. Please see the page, “Applying for an I-20" for more information on the documentation you need before applying for a visa. Visitor visa holders (issued B-1 or B-2 visas) are not permitted to study in the U.S. Vocational Student visa holders (issued M-1 or M-2 visas) are only permitted to study at vocational/trade schools or other nonacademic programs such as flight, cosmetology or esthetician, culinary, electrician schools, etc

Applying for a Visa

International students (not including Canadians) must apply for a student visa to study in the U.S. You should not apply for or make an appointment for a student visa without an I-20 from International Services. F-1 visas will not be issued without an I-20 and the I-901 SEVIS fee paid. Once you have the I-20 from International Services, you can apply for a visa through a U.S. Embassy near you. You can find an embassy close to you on this website. Canadian citizens do not require a visa, and instead can enter the country with just the I-20 and a valid passport.

Each embassy may require different documentation. Once you have made a visa appointment, please contact the embassy or look at their website to see what documentation you should bring with you in addition to your passport and I-20. Even if it is not specifically required, it is typically beneficial to bring:

• Financial documents that you submitted with your I-20 application (International Services cannot provide these- you must get them from your sponsor on your own)
• Your admittance letter to BYU-Idaho
• A current photograph (see the U.S. Department of State Photo Requirementspage)
• Copy of the Receipt of Payment for SEVIS I-901 Fee of $350

Note: You will need a receipt of payment for your SEVIS I-901 Fee if this is the first time obtaining an F-1 visa, or if you have been away from the university for more than 5 months. You will be required to repay the SEVIS I-901 fee of $350.

Your I-20 does not guarantee that you will receive a visa after your embassy appointment. If you do not receive a visa, it is best to wait and apply for another semester. If this happens, please contact International Services and let us know immediately.

Visa application tips:

• Be sure to have strong ties to your home country.
• Practice your English and plan for the interview to be conducted in English.
• Do not bring others with you to your interview, speak for yourself.
• Be familiar with your program of study and how it applies to your future career plans when you return home.
• Be brief and to the point.
• Remember your purpose for coming to the U.S. is to study.
• Additional documents should be clear and easily evaluated.
• Have a positive attitude.

The processing time for your visa varies and is dependent upon the embassy where you applied for your visa. International Services is not able to expedite the process for you.

F-1 Visa Expiration

Your F-1 visa does not determine how long you may remain in the U.S. You may stay beyond the expiration date of a visa as long as your Form I-20 and Passport are active. It is not possible to apply for a visa or to renew a visa inside the U.S. If you leave the country and your visa has expired, you will need to renew your visa before reentering the U.S.

F-2 Visa Holders

This visa status is for the spouse or child of an F-1 student. Your status as an F-2 visa holder is dependent upon the F-1 visa holder. If the F-1’s I-20 is terminated for any reason, your I-20 is terminated as well. You must also have a valid passport at all times, just like the F-1 student.

Study

F-2 visa holders are permitted to study at BYU-Idaho. F-2 students are allowed to be degree-seeking but are not allowed to enroll in a full course of study. F-2 students cannot take 12 credits. International Services recommends that F-2 students stay around 6-9 credits per semester.

Employment

As an F-2 dependent, it is a direct violation of your status to participate in employment or business under any circumstances. F-2 dependents are not permitted to work while on an F-2 visa, even on campus. Failure to abide by this regulation will cause you to be out of status and will lead to the termination of your I-20.

Travel

You do not require special permission when traveling within the U.S., however International Services does recommend that if you travel outside of Rexburg you will need to take your I-20, Passport, and Visa with you.

When traveling internationally you are required to have your passport, visa, and I-20 to re-enter the U.S. You must also have a travel signature from a DSO on your I-20 that was signed within the last 12 months.

F-2 students are not required to travel with the F-1 visa holder and are not limited in the amount of time spent outside the U.S.

Change of Status

If you entered the U.S. under a visa status other than F-1, you can apply to change your status while you are in the U.S. See the Change Status page for more information regarding visa status changes.

Permanent Residency

Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) are non-citizens who are legally authorized to live in the U.S. permanently. Permanent Residents are also known as green card holders. Permanent Residents are allowed to own property, accept employment without restrictions, and join the Armed Forces. See the this website to find more information about applying for Permanent Residency.

Once your change of status from F-1 to Permanent Resident is approved, you no longer need your F-1 status. Please let International Services know about this change, so we can terminate your I-20. Permanent Residents can study and work without the restrictions of the F-1 status. If you have more questions about this, please schedule a meeting with an advisor in the International Office through this link.

We understand that when female students get married they are usually eager to change their last name. However, International Services recommends you do not legally change your name anywhere because if your name is changed on any document, it must be changed on all documents. There are lots of costs associated with this as you will be required to get a new passport first, and may have to leave the country to renew your visa, etc. If you are marrying an American citizen and applying for a green card, you can put your married name on the green card application and change all your documents once that application has been approved.