Information for New International Students

International students coming to the U.S. typically enter with F-1 or J-1 student status. To begin the process, you must be admitted to Bentley University and submit a deposit to confirm your attendance. You will then receive an invitation from the Center for International Students and Scholars (CISS) to access the CISS Portal, where you will request your Form I-20/DS-2019, store immigration documents, and manage your immigration needs while at Bentley.

Step 1: Submit Your Form I-20/DS-2019 Request

Log in to the CISS Portal with your Bentley credentials and complete the Form I-20/DS-2019 Request:

• Complete your personal information
• Upload a copy of your passport
• Upload proof of financial support for at least one academic year. Funding may come from multiple sources totaling the estimated cost of attendance. See the Financial Document Guidelines below.

If your information is accurate and complete, your immigration document will be processed and available to download in the CISS Portal. Please allow up to three weeks for processing.

Step 2: Receive Your Form I-20/DS-2019

When your document is ready, you will be notified to access it in the CISS Portal. Print the form, review it for accuracy, and sign and date the bottom of page one. You will need to present this document when entering the U.S.

If you find an error, email GA-CISS@Bentley.edu to request a corrected form.

Step 3: Pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee

Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee online using the SEVIS ID number and school code listed on your Form I-20/DS-2019. Most students can pay by credit card.

Citizens of Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, or Gambia must pay by money order, Western Union Quick Pay, or a certified check from a U.S. financial institution.

Pay the SEVIS fee at least three days before your visa appointment. After payment, print the Form I-901 confirmation page and bring it to your visa appointment as proof of payment.

All Financial Documents Must:

• Show liquid funds available by the program start date
• Be issued within 12 months of the program start date
• Be in English or accompanied by an official translation
• Be dated and on official letterhead
• Clearly state the account holder’s name and currency
• Include a Sponsor Letter if funds are provided by someone other than the student, including family members

Acceptable Documents Include:

• Bank Statement: Checking, savings, or money market statement showing the official bank logo/heading, account holder’s name, date, account type, and total available balance. Full transaction history is not required.
• Bank Letter: Dated and signed on official letterhead, stating the account holder’s name, account type, and exact amount of available funds.
• Certificate/Term/Fixed Deposit: Must mature by the program start date or state that funds can be withdrawn at any time.
• Educational Loan: Must be approved or pre-approved; a loan application is not sufficient.
• Individual Sponsor Letter: Must include the name, date, and exact amount of funding available in USD and be accompanied by a bank statement with matching information.
• Family-Owned Business Sponsor Letter: Must be on official letterhead, confirm the family member owns the business and will use company funds to support the student, state the name, date, and exact amount available for the student’s education, and include a company bank statement.
• Company Sponsor Letter: Must be on official letterhead and include the name, date, exact amount available, company contact name, and valid signature.
• University Scholarship: Must state the applicable term and exact amount of funding.
• Provident Account: Must state the amount available for withdrawal before the program start date.

Unacceptable Documents Include:

• Retirement plans with funds unavailable by the program start date
• Real estate or deeds
• Salary agreements, statements, or pay stubs
• Income tax forms
• Available lines of credit
• Investment portfolios, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or stock market funds
• Trust fund or Demat accounts
• Credit card statements
• Accounts maturing after the program start date listed on the Form I-20
• Letters stating an account holder is “in good standing” without specifying a balance amount

Step 1: Apply for a Visa*

Complete the online Form DS-160 Visa Application on the Department of State website and pay the visa fee. Print a copy of your completed application and proof of payment to bring to your visa interview.

*Canadian citizens do not need a visa and may skip the following steps. SEVIS transfer students with a valid F-1 visa may also not need to complete them.

Step 2: Schedule Your Visa Interview

Most international students must schedule a visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate, preferably in their country of residence. Applying in another country may make it more difficult to qualify.

Appointment wait times vary by location and time of year, so schedule your interview as soon as possible.

Step 3: Gather Your Documentation

You may be required to bring:

• Bentley University acceptance letter
• Form I-20/DS-2019
• Form I-901 SEVIS fee receipt
• Valid passport (valid for at least six months into the future)
• Proof of financial support
• Proof of English language proficiency
• Any additional documentation required by the consular post

Additional evidence may include transcripts, diplomas, test scores, financial documents, or proof of ties to your home country and intent to leave the U.S. after completing your studies. Check the Department of State website for requirements specific to your U.S. embassy or consulate.

Step 4: Attend Your Visa Interview

A Department of State Consular Officer will determine whether you qualify for a student visa. Be prepared to discuss why you want to study at Bentley and your plans for your degree. You may also be asked to provide digital fingerprints or social media information.

Your visa may be approved, denied, or placed in Administrative Processing, which can take several weeks or months. See Administrative Processing and Visa Denial below for more information.

If your visa is denied, notify CISS at GA_CISS@bentley.edu and the Admission Office for guidance.

Step 5: Receive Your Visa

Arrange to receive your passport and visa by picking it up at the consulate or having it mailed to you. 

*Canadian and Bermudan citizens with valid passports do not require a visa but must pay the SEVIS fee and present a valid Form I-20/DS-2019 when entering the U.S.

Administrative Processing

A U.S. Consulate or Embassy may require additional security clearance or review before issuing a visa. This process can take several weeks or months, and applicants in STEM fields may be more likely to undergo additional review.

Under current screening requirements for eligible F and J visa applicants, consular staff may instruct applicants to make their social media accounts public for review. Because Administrative Processing can add significant time, schedule your visa interview as early as possible.

If your application is placed in Administrative Processing, email CISS at GA_CISS@bentley.edu. See the Department of State website for additional information.

Visa Denial

A visa may be denied if:

• The consular officer does not have enough information to determine eligibility
• The applicant does not qualify for the requested visa category
• The applicant is considered ineligible or inadmissible to the U.S. based on current or past actions
• The applicant does not demonstrate non-immigrant intent
• Additional social media review is required

One common reason for denial is failure to establish non-immigrant intent under Section 214(b). Applicants must demonstrate that they have significant ties to their home country and intend to return after completing their program.

Evidence of these ties may include:

• Property ownership
• Investments or financial assets
• Family or social relationships
• Future employment offers

These documents are not required and do not guarantee visa approval.

If your visa is denied, you should receive documentation explaining the reason. Contact CISS at GA_CISS@bentley.edu for assistance. In many cases, you may be able to reapply. Visit the Department of State website for additional information.

If you are transferring to Bentley from another U.S. high school or university, you may be considered a SEVIS transfer student and may not need a new F-1 visa.

You may qualify if you:

• Are currently studying at a U.S. institution and plan to transfer to Bentley
• Completed a U.S. program and will begin a new Bentley program
• Previously attended or completed a U.S. program, are currently outside the U.S., and plan to re-enter to attend Bentley
• Completed a program and are currently on Optional Practical Training (OPT) before starting a new Bentley degree program

Your new program must begin within five months to be eligible for a SEVIS transfer.

How to Transfer Your SEVIS Record

The transfer must be initiated while your SEVIS record is active or within the 60-day grace period after completing your program or OPT.

During the admissions process:

• Complete the Transfer Request in the CISS Portal
• Your current International Student Advisor will receive instructions to transfer your SEVIS record to Bentley on a specified date
• Once transferred, CISS will issue a Bentley “Transfer Pending” Form I-20

You do not need a new visa unless your current visa has expired and you need to re-enter the U.S. You may remain in the U.S. between programs or travel and re-enter before your new program begins.

Complete Your SEVIS Transfer

Complete the SEVIS Immigration Registration in the CISS Portal. Once completed, you will receive a new Form I-20 confirming that your transfer has been finalized.

If your arrival is delayed for any reason, email CISS at GA_CISS@bentley.edu.

If you are currently in the U.S. in another non-immigrant status, such as B-1/B-2, F-2, H-1B, or H-4, you may want to change to F-1 status. F-1 is the most common status for full-time degree programs and provides employment benefits that may not be available under other statuses.

Options for Changing Your Immigration Status

There are two primary ways to change to F-1 status:

• Travel and Re-Entry: Travel to your home country, apply for an F-1 visa using your Bentley Form I-20, and re-enter the U.S. in F-1 status. See the Obtaining a Visa section for instructions.
• Change of Status Within the U.S.: If you cannot travel, you may apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for a change of status. Processing can take several months and requires application and SEVIS fees. You can find current processing times on the USCIS Website.

Approval is not guaranteed, and some visa types may not be eligible. Travel outside the U.S. while your application is pending is not recommended. If approved, you may remain in the U.S. in F-1 status, but you will need to obtain an F-1 visa before re-entering after future international travel.

We highly recommend working with an immigration attorney when applying for a change of status within the U.S.

Special Considerations

• F-2 to F-1: F-2 students may study part-time but must enroll full-time once F-1 status is approved. If approval is not received by the add/drop deadline, your Form I-20 start date will be deferred to the next semester, and you must remain part-time for the current semester to maintain F-2 status.
• B-1/B-2 to F-1: Changing from B-1/B-2 status within the U.S. can be particularly difficult because you must demonstrate that your original intent for entering the U.S. has changed. B-1/B-2 visitors cannot enroll in a course of study until USCIS approves the change of status.

Once you obtain F-1 status, you must comply with all F-1 regulations, including full-time enrollment.

Travel and Re-Entry vs. Change of Status Within the U.S.

Steps for Changing to F-1 Status

1. Review the available options for changing your status.
2. Email GA_CISS@bentley.edu to inform CISS and schedule a meeting with a CISS Advisor.
3. Determine which change-of-status option is best for you.
4. Request a Bentley Form I-20 through the CISS Portal and follow the instructions for your selected option.
5. Once your application is approved or you re-enter the U.S. in F-1 status, complete SEVIS Immigration Registration in the CISS Portal.

Once your change to F-1 status is complete, you must follow all F-1 immigration regulations.

Massachusetts requires all full-time students—12+ credits for undergraduate students and 9+ credits for graduate students—to have health insurance. Bentley students are automatically enrolled in and billed for the Bentley Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP).

If you have your own health insurance that meets Massachusetts requirements, you may apply for a waiver. Because U.S. health care can be expensive, comprehensive coverage is strongly recommended. Learn more about SHIP through University Health Plans.

Before arriving at Bentley, submit the following to the Student Health Center:

1. Health History Questionnaire
2. TB Risk Assessment
3. Immunization Record

Submit these documents through the Student Health Portal using your Bentley short name—the portion of your email before “@.” For forms, waivers, and instructions, visit the Bentley Health Center website.

Important: Failure to complete these requirements may result in a $50 non-refundable fee and may affect future housing and/or class registration.

You may enter the U.S. in F or J status up to 30 days before the program start date listed on your Form I-20/DS-2019.

Documents to Carry

Before arriving at a U.S. airport or border facility, carry the following documents with you, not in checked luggage:

• Passport
• F-1/J-1 visa
• Original Form I-20/DS-2019
• Copy of your Bentley acceptance letter (recommended)

At the port of entry, an immigration officer will review your documents to determine your eligibility to enter the U.S. as a student. Keep electronic copies of your documents in case the originals are lost or inaccessible.

Form I-94

After entering the U.S., an electronic Form I-94 will be generated showing your entry date and immigration status. Print a copy each time you re-enter the U.S. to verify that you were admitted in the correct status.

If your arrival is delayed or you will not be attending Bentley University, contact CISS at GA_CISS@bentley.edu.

For information on getting to Bentley University, please visit the International Student Resources page, which will give you information on arriving in Boston, getting to Bentley, and getting around the Bentley campus.

As a new student, you will have multiple opportunities to participate in various Orientation programs. There is the New Falcon Experience for new undergraduate students, a Graduate Student Orientation, and an International Student Orientation. The International Student Orientation offers you the opportunity to learn about important immigration regulations and useful resources on campus and in the community.   Attendance at the International Student Orientation is mandatory for all new international students.  

The undergraduate International Student Orientation is a 2-3-day program that requires registration and allows international students to arrive early to get settled in their residence halls and attend the orientation. For detailed information on this program, join Campus Groups and navigate to the CISS events.

You will need a copy of your Form I-94 to complete the SEVIS Immigration Check-In.

How to Retrieve Your Form I-94

1. Visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Form I-94 website
2. Select “Get Most Recent I-94”
3. Select “Consent & Continue”
4. Enter your traveler information using your passport number as the document number
5. Save and print your most recent Form I-94, not your travel history

Troubleshooting Your Form I-94

If you receive a “Not Found” message, try:

• Entering your name exactly as shown on your visa or boarding pass
• Entering your first and middle names in the First Name field
• Switching the order of your names
• Removing spaces or the last few letters if you have multiple names (e.g., “Julie Anne” → “Julieanne”)
• Using all lowercase letters, as the search is case-sensitive
• Trying both your old and new passport numbers if your valid visa is in an old passport
• For some Mexican passports, removing the first two digits of the passport number

If You Still Cannot Retrieve Your Form I-94

If you entered through Boston Logan Airport, contact the CBP Deferred Inspection Office at 617-568-1810.

If you entered through another port of entry, contact the CBP Deferred Inspection Office at that location. Contact information is available on the CBP website.

Remember: Check your Form I-94 each time you enter the U.S. and print a copy for your records.
 

As a new student, you are required by the Student & Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to complete the SEVIS immigration registration process once you arrive in the U.S.  SEVIS registration must be completed within 30 days of your program start date to indicate that you arrived in the U.S. in valid student status. You will need to upload a copy of your Form I-94 and verify your U.S. and home country address and phone number in Workday.You can complete your SEVIS immigration registration after your arrival in the U.S. in the CISS Portal.