Upon admission, the student must notify the international student adviser of his or her intent to request a Form I-20. The university will issue a Form I-20 to a foreign student only after the following conditions have been met:

1. The student has been formally admitted with regular or provisional status to the university.
2. The student submits a completed application for Form I-20 along with a photocopy of his or her passport.  For students attending our Winona campus, please download this I-20 application form.  For students attending all other locations, please download this I-20 application form.
3. The student submits proof of financial responsibility and other supporting documents as requested by the university. Financial responsibility will be proven by the student’s submission of official documentation of cash resources in an amount equal to or greater than the cost of tuition, fees and books for one academic year and the cost of living for one academic year as determined by the designated school's official.
4. A deposit of $1,000 is required before the release of a student’s Form I-20. If the student is denied a visa, the deposit will be refunded upon receipt of the official denial letter from the embassy.

The university will mail all Form I-20s via expedited mail.

Upon receipt of the Form I-20, the student must submit the Form I-20 to a U.S. Embassy or consulate to apply for an F-1 Student Visa.

If you are living outside the U.S. you must obtain a passport from your government, make an appointment with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate to apply for the F-1 visa. You cannot make the appointment until you have received your I-20. Apply for the visa as early as possible.

Students applying for initial entry F-1 visas may be issued the visas up to 120 days be-fore the academic program start date as noted on the I-20.

You may enter the U.S. as early as 30 days before the start date noted in item 5 on the I-20 form.

If you are transferring to the Saint Mary’s from another school you must report to the Office of Student Services within 10 days from the semester start date.

If you are changing schools within the U.S., you must follow the process to obtain an I-20 and follow some additional procedures in order to maintain your immigration status.

All international students must maintain adequate health insurance while attending Saint Mary’s and are required to provide documentation verifying enrollment in a health insurance program.

The Office of Student Services welcomes international students to a new student orientation the first week of school.   Training on SMU specific technology, expectations and regulations will be discussed. Following orientation, a reception will be held. This is an opportunity to meet other international students, program directors and other SMU staff.  

The Minneapolis campus will hold New Student Orientation for the fall semester on September 9, 2009.