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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. You only need a visa if you are outside the US and intending to re-enter the US to continue your study, research, or work. You do not need to have a valid visa if you are already in the US in valid status and are not intending to travel.

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. In general, you should expect to apply for a new visa at a US consulate in your country of citizenship or permanent residence. Any questions about the visa application process must be directed to the consulate where you are applying for your visa.

Documents to Prepare for Visa Renewal

The US consulate will give you instructions about visa application fees, forms, and timelines. However, you should be prepared to have at least the following with you when applying for your new visa:

Document Type F-1 Student J-1 Students J-1 Scholars H-1B Employees
Unexpired Passport Required Required Required Required
I-901 SEVIS Fee Payment Receipt Required Required Required N/A; does not apply
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 Required: Valid and unexpired Form DS-2019 from International Center or your J-1 sponsor Required: Unexpired Form I-797 issued to authorize Tufts University employment, provided to you by Tufts International Center
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. Required: Proof of continued financial ability, e.g., scholarship letters, bank statements, financial affidavits, proof of payment to Tufts, etc. Required: Employment offer or appointment letter, or employment verification letter from department including salary information
Evidence of Ongoing Full-Time Role at Tufts Transcript or Enrollment Verification Form Transcript or Enrollment Verification Form Recent employment verification or visiting scholar verification letter from department Employment verification letter from department, including salary information; or recent pay stubs or statements showing employment with Tufts
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 CV or resume CV or resume; Form I-129 petition submitted by Tufts for your H-1B approval; certified Labor Condition Application (LCA) provided by International Center

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.

Due to COVID-19, visa appointments may be waived for persons who already have an expired visa in the same category, provided the previous visa expired within the past six months to a year. Consult with the US consulate you plan to visit for instructions to see if a visa appointment will be necessary in your specific situation.

If your visa is denied or delayed for any reason, contact the International Center by email at internationalcenter@tufts.edu.

US Visa Fees

As a part of the visa fee process, you may be asked to pay one or more US visa fees. With the exception of the I-901 SEVIS fee, which is paid online through the I-901 SEVIS Fee web site, visa applicants should follow the instructions of their US consulate in paying the other visa fees.

  • F-1 students and J-1 students and scholars must pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee before applying for your first F-1 or 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 F-1 or J-1 status
    • The fee does not apply to F-2 or J-2 dependents
  • Form DS-160 visa application processing fee paid by all visa applicants
    • The 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

Other Visa Renewal Resources

Visa Delays and Restrictions