Information for Admitted International Students
International Graduate Student Eligibility
Welcome to Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.
We are delighted that you have chosen to pursue your education with us. As an international graduate student, there are certain steps and requirements you need to fulfill in order to obtain an I-20 and student visa to study in the United States.
Read More
I-20 Application
To begin the I-20 application process, we recommend that you submit the necessary documentation to the International Student Services department at least three months prior to the semester in which you plan to attend our university. You will need to contact your International Student Advisor and provide essential I-20 application documents. Below is a checklist of documents you will need to submit to gradiss@smumn.edu:
- Completed I-20 application form. (PDF)
- Copy of passport, valid for at least 6 months after your intended program start date.
- Copy of Saint Mary’s admission letter showing “Regular” admission status to an I-20 eligible, degree-seeking program.
- 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, books, insurance, and living expenses for one academic year. Completed Sponsor’s Affidavit of Support form is required if you have a financial sponsor.
- A nonrefundable tuition deposit of $300 is required before we can release your I-20. This deposit will only be refunded if your visa application is denied and we receive an official denial letter from the embassy.
Note that transfer students and students with F-2 Dependents will be required to submit additional application documents for the I-20. Once all application materials are submitted and reviewed, your International Student Advisor will email all I-20s to you to sign, print, and keep in your records.
Upon receipt of the I-20, you must submit the I-20 to a U.S. embassy or consulate to apply for an F-1 Student Visa.
Transferring Your SEVIS Record and Issuance of a New I-20
If you are transferring from another school within the United States, you will need to follow the same I-20 application process outlined in the “I-20 Application” section. Furthermore, you must inform your current school about your intention to transfer, provide a copy of your acceptance letter to Saint Mary’s, and request your DSO to transfer your electronic SEVIS record to our university. Only your current school has access to your SEVIS record; Saint Mary’s cannot issue a new I-20 until your SEVIS record is transferred.
You must attend orientation and check-in with your International Student Advisor within 10 business days of your first semester start date at Saint Mary’s.
I-94
Knowing how to access your I-94 admission number is necessary when studying in the United States. An I-94, or Arrival/Departure Record, is an electronic document issued by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that verifies a nonimmigrant’s legal entry into the United States. The I-94 is an electronic document that confirms the traveler has been legally admitted to the U.S. with a specific status for a specified period of time. You will receive an I-94 admission number during the admission process at your port of entry to the United States when you arrive on your F-1 visa.
International travelers visiting the United States can apply for or retrieve their I-94 admission number/record (which is proof of legal visitor status) as well as retrieve a limited travel history of their U.S. arrivals and departures on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection I-94 Website.
Student Visas
Obtaining a student visa is crucial for studying in the United States. Depending on your country, you may be required to appear for an in-person interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate. It is essential to consult your embassy/consulate’s website or contact them directly for specific application instructions. You cannot schedule your visa appointment until you have received your I-20 from Saint Mary’s. To avoid any delays or complications, we recommend applying for your visa well in advance of your travel departure date.
Please visit the U.S. Department of State’s website for detailed information on applying for a student visa.
English Language Assistance
Students with transcripts from universities located outside of the United States or a waiver country are required to take and pass English Proficiency testing in order to take regular courses at Saint Mary’s.
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota accepts the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 72, the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a minimum score of 6.0, the International Test of English Proficiency (ITEP) with a minimum score of 4.0, or Pearson Test of English with a score of 51.
Additionally, students that have completed 30 undergraduate or 12 graduate credits from an accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent of these credits from an institution in a waiver country will be exempt from English Language Proficiency testing.
International Student Advisor
At Saint Mary’s, we understand the challenges that international students face when adapting to a new community and culture. That’s why we have dedicated International Student Advisors who are ready to assist you throughout your time at our university. They have the expertise to address the unique issues that international students encounter and provide the necessary support. You can contact the International Student Services team at gradiss@smumn.edu.
Immigration Status and Employment Authorization
As an accepted student, you will receive a pre-arrival orientation and an International New Student Orientation as well as ongoing immigration advising related to your F-1 status. We will guide you through the process of obtaining employment authorization and assist you with the application process for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT) as you progress in your studies.
Before Arriving
As a student on an F-1 visa, your primary focus is to study in your chosen program. Saint Mary’s has limited on-campus jobs and openings are rare. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is also not available upon acceptance nor for all programs. Employment off campus must be authorized in advance and in accordance with specific procedures outlined in federal regulations. Please consider this when planning your finances to attend.
Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 may be eligible for F-2 “dependent” status. Contact your International Student Advisor for procedures to invite a dependent to join you in the United States.
In the U.S., any health bills you incur are your responsibility. Saint Mary’s expects that all international students will carry health insurance that covers care in the U.S. Please be sure that this insurance will cover care for minor illnesses or injuries, as well as more serious injuries or health conditions.
Saint Mary’s does not offer a student health insurance plan. If you are working with an international recruiting agent, you may wish to discuss which options they recommend. You may also want to consult various websites geared toward student health insurance plans for the U.S.
While the university does not endorse any specific plan, the following sites may be helpful in reviewing various options as you shop around for the best plan to meet your needs:
- iNext International Medical Insurance for Students
- International Student Insurance
- LewerMark Student Insurance
- ISO International Student Health Insurance
- Student Assurance Services Incorporated
- United Healthcare Student Resources
- Atlas America
Note to athletes: The NCAA requires all student athletes to have a minimum of $90,000 of healthcare coverage that specifically covers athletic injuries. You must be able to provide proof of this insurance prior to practicing in your sport.
All students attending Saint Mary’s are required to supply the month and year of certain immunizations. Students are expected to be current on these immunizations and to provide this information on their health forms prior to the start of their first semester.
Once You Arrive
To maintain your status, please be aware of these regulations.
Saint Mary’s is required to report to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement through SEVIS.
The following information for F-1 students is required to be reported by the school:
- Whether a student has enrolled at Saint Mary’s or failed to enroll within 30 days of the start of the semester.
- A change of the student’s or dependent’s legal name or address.
- Any student who graduates prior to the end date listed on the I-20.
- Academic or disciplinary actions taken due to a criminal conviction.
- Whether the student drops below a full course of study without prior authorization from their international student adviser.
- SEVIS record termination date and reason for termination.
- Other data generated by standard procedures such as program extension, school transfer, change in level of study or major, employment authorization, or reinstatement.
- Any student who fails to maintain status or complete his or her program.
A “full course of study” is six or more credits per semester for graduate students. Your International Student Advisor in International Student Services may be able to assist you in applying for exceptions to the full-time requirement:
- You may take fewer credits for valid academic reasons. Less than full-time enrollment due to documented academic reasons is only allowed one semester per degree level. This must be approved in advance by your International Student Advisor.
- You may reduce or interrupt a full course of study because of a documented medical condition.
- In your final semester, you may take as few credits as required to complete your degree as long as you register for at least one credit.
Do not register for fewer than the required number of credits or withdraw from a course without first receiving permission from your International Student Advisor. Part-time studies could jeopardize your stay in the U.S. and make you ineligible for F-1 benefits.
Federal law requires you to carry registration documents at all times, including your I-20 and I-94 card. For day-to-day purposes, we suggest these documents be kept in a secure location. However, you should carry these documents with you if you are traveling within the U.S. If you are traveling by air, train, bus, or ship, you may be required to produce these documents before boarding. Keep photocopies of all your documents in a separate location in the event your documents are lost or stolen.
Your passport must be valid at all times. Keep your passport and other important documents in a safe place. Report a lost or stolen passport to the police, as your government may require a police report before issuing a new passport. To renew or replace your passport, contact your country’s consulate in the U.S.
The duration you are authorized to remain in the United States is for the time during which you are pursuing a full course of study and making normal progress toward your degree. Additionally, your F-1 duration of status includes the time you are engaging in authorized practical training following completion of studies, plus admission to the United States up to 30 days before your program start date, and 60 days to prepare to depart the U.S.
Change of Level
If you complete your current program of study and plan to continue at Saint Mary’s in another program (for example, changing from a bachelor’s degree to a master’s degree), this change must be reported to immigration, new financial documents must be obtained, and your I-20 must be updated. Contact your International Student Advisor for procedural instructions before completing your current program.
Change of Major
If you change your major (for example, from Master of IT Project Management to Master of Business Administration), report this change to your International Student Advisor, submit any necessary documents, and a new I-20 will be issued to you.
Change of Funding
If your sponsor or amount of funding changes, report this change to your International Student Advisor and a new I-20 will be issued to you.
Change of Name
If you change your name, you must fill out a “Change of Name” form, send it to the Office of the Registrar, and provide legal documentation that reflects the name change. You must also notify your International Student Advisor and provide documentation of the name change within 10 days of changing your name. Should your dependents have a name change, you must provide documentation of the name change so their I-20s can be updated.
Change of Address
Any change of address must be reported to your International Student Advisor and Immigration within 10 days. While you are a student, update your local address in Saint Mary’s Student Portal and email your International Student Advisor of the change. If you are on Optional Practical Training (OPT), email your International Student Advisor with your new local address. To update your permanent foreign address, email your International Student Advisor.
Please notify your International Student Advisor in International Student Services at least one semester prior to your graduation date so we can provide you with appropriate information concerning Optional Practical Training (OPT), school transfer, travel, and other end of program procedures.
Travel/Loss of Status
If you are unable to complete your course of study before the Program End Date noted under the Program of Study section of your I-20, you will need to contact your International Student Advisor to apply for a program extension and request that a new I-20 to be issued. The new I-20 must be issued before your current I-20 expires.
You must register as a full-time student at the school that issued the I-20 you used to enter the United States. If you decide to transfer to a different school, contact your International Student Advisor prior to completing your semester or OPT at your current school for information about school transfer procedures.
If you have completed one full academic year (two graduate semesters), you are not required to attend school during the following semester. For example, if you are a full-time student for the Fall and Spring semesters, you can apply to have the Summer semester as a vacation semester. Please let your International Student Advisor in International Student Services know if you plan to take a semester off for vacation and follow the procedure for requesting a vacation semester. Regardless of the semester you begin at Saint Mary’s, you will be required to register as a full-time student for two semesters before you can apply to take a vacation semester.
At the port-of-entry you must present:
- An unexpired Form I-20 endorsed for travel and signed by your Designated School Official within the last six months
- A valid, current F-1 visa
- A current passport valid for at least six months after the date of your reentry
- Evidence of finances no older than six months showing proof of necessary funds to cover tuition and living expenses
- A copy of your transcript and current course schedule (suggested)
- Students outside the U.S. for more than five months and those on OPT may have additional requirements. Please contact your International Student Advisor.
If you need to withdraw from classes or are asked to leave the university, you must report this to your International Student Advisor. If you report this prior to your withdrawal or dismissal, you will have 15 days to leave the United States. If you do not report this to your International Student Advisor, your status ends immediately.
If you violate the immigration regulations and your F-1 visa is terminated, you may apply to be reinstated to lawful status if you have not been out of status more than five months, do not have a record of repeated or willful violations of immigration regulations, are currently pursuing or intending to pursue a full course of study, have not engaged in unauthorized employment, and establish that the violation of status resulted from circumstances beyond your control (for example, serious injury or illness, a natural disaster, or inadvertence on the part of an international student). For more information, please contact your International Student Advisor.