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• Visa and Other Documentation
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Visa

You must receive a DS-2019 document and a SEVIS receipt from WU before you can make an appointment to apply for a student visa to study in the USA. These are issued by the WU Office of International Students and Scholars upon proper request from Overseas Programs. They are sent to you by Overseas Programs via the exchange program coordinator at your home university. Once you have them, you can make an appointment to apply for a student visa at the appropriate American embassy or consulate, allowing sufficient time to complete the process before you begin your travel to the USA.

You can enter the USA up to 30 days prior to the start date on your DS-2019. You must remain enrolled as full time student while attending WU. You can remain in the USA for 30 days after the end date on your DS-2019.

Declaration and Certification of Finances

Before WU can issue the DS-2019, you must submit a Declaration and Certification of Finances Form to document sufficient financial resources to cover your educational and living expenses for the duration of your studies in the USA (excluding tuition).

You must document that with parental support, personal funds, and/or institutional support you have at least the minimum amount required by US authorities. For 2006-2007, the documented amount must be equivalent to $6880 US dollars per semester at the time the DS-2019 is issued; double that amount, or $13760, if attending WU for two semesters. (You may not need all this money to live in St. Louis, but you must document that the funds are available in order to qualify for the DS-2019.) If the documented amount is in a foreign currency, please include a little extra to allow for exchange rate fluctuation between the day the bank letter or statement is prepared and the day the DS-2019 is issued. Alternatively, the document amount can be stated as a US dollars value, thus avoiding the problem of exchange rate fluctuation.

Often, the easiest approach to documenting financial support is for a parent to write a letter of financial guarantee for the full amount, accompanied by a bank letter or bank statement confirming at least that amount in current deposits. If you document personal funds, then a similar bank letter or statement is necessary. Be sure the bank letter or statement clarifies the type of currency or the US dollar value. Funds from your university, government, or other sources can be documented too if necessary to cover the minimum amount.

The form and supporting documentation must be submitted to Overseas Programs as originals. Facsimiles may be sent in advance of originals for verification, but originals must be received before the DS-2019 can be issued.

NOTE: All financial documentation and guarantees must be provided in English or with an English translation.

Other Documentation

You must complete a WU Medical Information Form, which will be enclosed with your DS-2019, including verification of required immunizations. You can return it by mail or submit it upon arrival. Other self-explanatory forms will be enclosed too, including one for informing the Office of International Students and Scholars about how and when you will arrive in St. Louis. This office coordinates reception and orientation for international students.