Obtaining A Visa

The following information outlines the visa application process when a new international student or scholar comes to Harvard University or its affiliated hospitals from outside the United States using a visa sponsored by the Harvard International Office (HIO). All student and scholar visas sponsored by the HIO require both a visa document from the HIO and a visa from a U.S. embassy or consulate outside the United States. (NOTE: Canadian citizens are exempt from the visa requirement.) The information in this section provides an overview of what to expect when requesting a visa document, applying to a U.S. embassy or consulate for a visa, and finally entering the United States. Please do not hesitate to contact your advisor if you have any difficulty or unusual delays in obtaining your U.S. visa.

Your Visa Application
Before entering the United States, you must have a passport issued by your government. You will also need to apply for an U.S. entry visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate to enter the United States. Canadian citizens are not required to have U.S. visas. The visa application will require, among other things, a visa document (Form I-20 or DS-2019) from Harvard (see section below) and documents showing your financial support while at Harvard.

It is recommended that you allow yourself ample time to obtain the appropriate visa from a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has indicated that the process of issuing visas to some individuals might be longer due to security clearances. Please check with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate that you are visiting for its specific processing time. The following U.S. Department of State web site has the estimated processing time for each U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Canadian citizens do not need U.S. visas, and may obtain the appropriate visa status at the port of entry when they enter the United States by showing a Canadian passport, the visa document (Form I-20 or DS-2019), proof of financial support and the receipt of SEVIS fee payment.

Glossary of Terms

Passport
A passport is an internationally recognized travel document that verifies the identity and nationality of the bearer. Citizens of all countries are required to have valid passports when entering the United States.

U.S. Department of State (DOS)
DOS is the Cabinet level foreign affairs agency of the United States government, similar to foreign ministries, foreign offices, ministries of external relations, etc. in other countries. It is administered by the Secretary of State. It oversees the U.S. embassies and consulates outside of the United States.

U.S. Embassy/Consulate
People may apply for U.S. entry visas at either a U.S. embassy or consulate. Usually one applies at the embassy or consulate closest to one's current residence. However, it is not required that individuals apply at a U.S. embassy or consulate in their home countries.

Visa Documents
In order for international students, scholars and their dependents to apply for visas, they must first obtain visa documents from the HIO. The first steps in obtaining a visa document are described in the sections Student Visa Process, and Scholar Visa Process. The majority of individuals coming to Harvard would use one of the following visas and visa documents:

F-1 Student Visa: Form I-20
J-1 Student, Researcher or Professor: Form DS-2019
H-1B Temporary Worker: Form I-797 Notice of Action

SEVIS: Student and Exchange Visitor Information System
The F-1 and J visas are managed by a shared database called SEVIS.