Entry Visa
Obtaining a US Entry Visa
International students, scholars, and employees intending on coming to the US to engage in activities at Tufts must obtain a US entry visa prior to entering the US. This applies whether you are making your first entry or already obtained a visa previously. If your current visa will or has expired, you must obtain a new visa if you are outside of the US and want to return to the US to continue your studies, research, or employment at Tufts.
Note: as a rule, Canadian citizens do not need visas to enter the US, but need to present all other supporting documents (including a valid passport, a Form I-20 for F-1 status or Form DS-2019 for J-1 status) to enter the US in an appropriate nonimmigrant status.
It is important to note that a valid US entry visa is only needed to enter the US in nonimmigrant status. Once you are already inside the US, your entry visa may expire, as long as your other documents (such as your I-20 or DS-2019) are still valid and unexpired.
Where to Apply for your Visa
Visas are issued only at US consulates located outside the US. In general, you should expect to apply for a new visa at a US consulate in your country of citizenship or permanent residence. Because each US consulate has its own timelines, process, and procedures, you should check the non-immigrant visa application instructions and procedures provided by the US consulate where you will apply for your new visa. Any questions about the visa application process must be directed to the consulate where you are applying for your visa.
For the academic year 2025-26, visa applicants should anticipate longer than average wait times for consular appointments and visa issuance. Please plan accordingly and allow extra time for visa applications, and expect to potentially be subjected to increased screening, which may include background checks or review of social media activity. Please contact our office at internationalcenter@tufts.edu if you expect you may not receive your visa in time for your anticipated arrival date.
Prepare Your Visa Application
The US consulate will give you instructions about visa application fees, forms, and timelines. However, you should be prepared to have at least the items listed for your visa category below.
Additionally, you should be prepare to pay the following fees:
- Form DS-160 visa application processing fee (Current fee is $185)
- Visa Reciprocity fee
- Citizens of certain countries may be required to pay an additional visa reciprocity fee based on visa reciprocity agreements between the US and different countries
- The amount varies by country and visa type but can range from zero charge to several thousand dollars
- While most visa applicants do not have a visa reciprocity fee charge, checking in advance is strongly advanced
Once you have submitted your visa application, you may need to schedule an appointment for a visa interview. Many interviews last no more than a few minutes. The consular visa officer will inform you about processing times and passport pick-up procedures.
If your visa is denied or delayed for any reason, contact the International Center by email at internationalcenter@tufts.edu.
Visa Application Materials
Application Materials for Degree and Non-degree Seeking students
| Document Type | F-1 Student | J-1 Students |
|---|---|---|
| Unexpired Passport | Required | Required |
| I-901 SEVIS Fee Payment Receipt | Required | Required |
| Visa Certificate | Required: Valid and unexpired Form I-20 from International Center | Required: Valid and unexpired Form DS-2019 from International Center or your J-1 sponsor |
| Evidence of Financial Ability | Required: Proof of continued financial ability, e.g., scholarship letters, bank statements, financial affidavits, proof of payment to Tufts, etc. | Required: Proof of continued financial ability, e.g., scholarship letters, bank statements, financial affidavits, proof of payment to Tufts, etc. |
| Evidence of Ongoing Full-Time Role at Tufts | Transcript or Enrollment Verification Form | Transcript or Enrollment Verification Form |
| Other Documents | For students on post-completion OPT, valid EAD card showing approval for post-completion OPT | For students on post-completion Academic Training, Academic Training authorization letter |
*F-1 and J-1 Students must pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee before applying for your first F-1 or J-1 Student visa
- As a rule, the I-901 SEVIS Fee is a one-time fee payment - you do not need to pay the fee for future visa applications as long as you have maintained continuous J-1 status
- $350 for F-1 students
- $220 for J-1 students and scholars
- The fee does not apply to F-2 or J-2 dependents
Application Materials for J-1 Exchange Visitors (excluding enrolled students at Tufts)
| Document Type | J-1 Research Scholars and Professors J-1 Short-Term Scholars |
J-1 Student Intern |
|---|---|---|
| Unexpired Passport | Required | Required |
| I-901 SEVIS Fee* Payment Receipt | Required | Required |
| Visa Certificate | Required: Valid and unexpired Form DS-2019 from International Center or your J-1 sponsor | Required: Valid and unexpired Form DS-2019 from International Center or your J-1 sponsor |
| Evidence of Financial Ability | Required: Proof of financial ability, e.g., salary, stipend, grants, fellowships, bank statements, financial affidavits, etc. | Required: Proof of continued financial ability, e.g., scholarship letters, bank statements, financial affidavits, etc. |
| Evidence of Ongoing Full-Time Role at Tufts | Recent employment verification or visiting scholar verification letter from department | Required: Completed DS-7002 Training Plan signed by all parties |
| Other Documents | CV or resume | N/A |
*J-1 students interns and scholars must pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee before applying for your first J-1 visa
- As a rule, the I-901 SEVIS Fee is a one-time fee payment - you do not need to pay the fee for future visa applications as long as you have maintained continuous J-1 status
- $220 for J-1 students and scholars
- The fee does not apply to J-2 dependents
Application Materials for H-1B Employees and Other Employment Visas
| Document Type | H-1B Temporary | O-1 and E-3 Employees |
|---|---|---|
| Unexpired Passport | Required: A passport must be valid at least 6 months into the future | Required: A passport must be valid at least 6 months into the future |
| Visa Certificate | Required: Unexpired Form I-797 issued to authorize Tufts University employment, provided to you by Tufts International Center | Required: Unexpired Form I-797 issued to authorize Tufts University employment, provided to you by Tufts International Center |
| Evidence of Financial Ability | Required: Employment offer or appointment letter, or employment verification letter from department including salary information | Required: Employment offer or appointment letter, or employment verification letter from department including salary information |
| Evidence of Ongoing Full-Time Role at Tufts | Employment verification letter from department, including salary information; or recent pay stubs or statements showing employment with Tufts | Employment verification letter from department, including salary information; or recent pay stubs or statements showing employment with Tufts |
| Other Documents | CV or resume. All US Consulates have electronic access to Form I-129 petition submitted by Tufts for your H-1B approval but it can also be found in your portal under "required documents." | CV or resume and copy of Filed I-129 Petition |
Visa Delays and Restrictions
In recent years, many visa applications have been delayed or rejected due to administrative processing, which occurs when a visa officer is prevented from issuing a visa until additional security or background checks are completed.
You will be told by a visa officer when you apply for a visa if your visa application has been selected for administrative processing. While any visa application can be chosen for administrative processing, students and scholars engaged who have or will engage in sensitive research may be at higher risk of having to go through administrative processing.
Administrative processing delays can vary widely, from a few days to several months. If your visa application has been subjected to administrative processing, please notify the International Center by sending an email to internationalcenter@tufts.edu. Provide full details such as your name, the US consulate where you applied for your visa, the date of your visa application and visa application number, and any other information you may have been provided during your visa application process or visa interview.
Unfortunately, Tufts does not have the ability to expedite a visa application that is in administrative processing, and we cannot predict a timeline for when your visa will be issued. You must continue to communicate with the US consulate regarding the status of your visa application. However, the International Center can communicate with your department or unit and help you to identify options in case an administrative processing delay interrupts your ability to start or continue your studies, research, or employment at Tufts.
The US Department of State has advised that all F, M, and J visa applicants must list all social media accounts on the DS-160 form and set these accounts to “public” during the application process. Consular official are instructed to conduct a manual check of the applicant’s social media accounts as listed on the DS-160 visa application form for indications of support for U.S.-designated terrorist organizations, evidence of illegal activities, content expressing threats, harassment or hostility towards the U.S., discriminatory or hate-based content, evidence of non-compliance with U.S. visa regulations, or inconsistencies in information.
- Ensure that information about yourself that is readily available online is accurate and matches the information you provide on the DS-160 form and in your interview.
- List all of your social media accounts on the DS-160 visa application form and set your accounts to public before the visa interview. If you have already filled out the DS-160 but have not yet attended your appointment, review your previously completed form and make sure that all of your social media information is listed. Even if it is accidental, failure to include one of your social media platforms could be viewed negatively by the consular officer.
Frequently Asked Questions about Visas
The entry visa is only needed to enter the US. Once you are already inside the US, it is your I-20 / DS-2019 expiration date and your continued full-time enrollment as a student that matters. However, if you plan to leave the US in the future, you must plan to get a new visa before you return.
No. Visas are issued only at US consulates outside of the US. Remember, you only need a new visa if you are outside the US and planning to return to continue your studies, research, or employment. You do not need a valid visa is you are already in the US in valid status.
Post-completion or STEM OPT is a benefit of F-1 status. You must have a valid F-1 visa to return to the US in order to continue your practical training period. If you are traveling while waiting for OPT or after your OPT starts, you should plan on applying for a new F-1 visa if your current visa has already expired.
As long as the visa expiration date has not passed or been canceled, and your purpose of coming back is consistent with the visa (e.g., if you have an F-1 student visa, your purpose of returning to the US must be to continue studies or OPT), you can still use your visa.