Stanford
Graduate Academic Policies and Procedures

2.2.2 Requirements for New International Students: Implementation

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Last updated on:
Tuesday, September 6, 2016

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2.2.1 Requirements for New International Students: Policy

1. Obtaining F-1 Visas for Degree-Seeking Students

The following steps must take place as soon as possible after the student has accepted the offer of admission.

PROCESS STEPS RESPONSIBILITY
1.
After accepting the offer of admission, log into their Axess account and submit an online transaction request for I-20 (including for dependents, if applicable), to the Graduate Admissions Office. For information see https://gradadmissions.stanford.edu/admitted-students/entering-stanford/international-students/student-visas.
Indicate, on the I-20 request form, that the form should be sent by regular airmail or else agree to pay courier service. (If couriered, this charge is added to student’s bill.)  
Must also provide the following documents in the online I-20 request form (in PDF format):
  • Legible copy of the passport page(s): photo page with machine-readable strip including page with current expiration date if not on the same page. 
  • Verified sources of funding documents in US dollars that meet or exceeds the Estimated Student Expense budget.
Note:  Applicants to the School of Medicine MD program, Graduate School of Business or School of Law have a separate visa request form.  The student submits those forms to the school to which he or she is applying, and that school forwards the completed package to Graduate Admissions.		 Student
2. After verification of all academic credentials, receipt of ETS scores and evidence of sufficient English proficiency, submit the online I-20 form to Bechtel International Center. Graduate Admissions
3. Review financial documents and create form in PeopleSoft Pass Bechtel
4. Batch process the I-20 in SEVIS and retrieve the processed I-20. Bechtel
5.
Print and sign the I-20 form and either mail directly to the new student or notify the degree program to pick up.
Note:  Degree programs should make arrangements with Bechtel staff ahead of time if they would like to pick up and to mail these forms. These arrangements are already in place for the Schools of Medicine, Law and Business. 
 Bechtel
6. Clear student for matriculation and place enrollment hold. Graduate Admissions
7. Pay the SEVIS fee and apply for a visa with the necessary documents and visa fee to the US State Department (Embassy location). Student
 

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2. Obtaining J-1 Visas for Degree-Seeking Students

PROCESS STEPS RESPONSIBILITY
1.

After accepting offer of admission, log into their Axess account and submit an online transaction for the DS-2019 (including for dependents, if applicable), to the Graduate Admissions Office. For information see https://gradadmissions.stanford.edu/admitted-students/entering-stanford/international-students/student-visas.

Indicate, on the DS-2019 request form, that the form should be sent by regular airmail or agree to pay courier service. (If couriered, this charge is added to student’s Autumn bill.)  

Must also provide the following documents in the online DS-2019 request form (in PDF format):

  • Legible copy of the passport page(s): photo page with machine-readable strip including page with current expiration date, if not on the same page. 
  • Verified sources of funding documents in US dollars that meet or exceeds the Estimated Student Expense budget.
Note:  Applicants to the School of Medicine MD program, Graduate School of Business or School of Law have a separate visa request form.  The student submits those forms to the school to which he/she is applying, and that school forwards the completed package to Graduate Admissions		 Student
2. After verification of all academic credentials, receipt of ETS scores, and confirmation of sufficient English proficiency, send request to Bechtel International Center.  Graduate Admissions
3. Review financial documents and create form in PeopleSoft Pass. Bechtel
4. Batch process the DS-2019 in SEVIS and retrieve the processed DS-2019. Bechtel
5.

Print and sign the DS-2019, and either mail directly to the new student or notify the degree program to pick up.

Note:  Degree programs should make arrangements with Bechtel ahead of time if they would like to pick up and to mail these forms. These arrangements are already in place for the Schools of Medicine, Law and Business. 

 Bechtel
6. Clear student for matriculation and place enrollment hold.  Graduate Admissions
7. Pay the SEVIS fee and apply for a visa with the necessary documents and visa fee to the US State Department (Embassy location). Student

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3. Initial Registration

PROCESS STEPS RESPONSIBILITY
1. Upon issuance of the I-20/DS-2019 and matriculation for a new student, place an enrollment hold on the student’s record.  Graduate Admissions
2.  Upon arrival at Stanford, enter a local address in Axess. Student
3. Attend a session of "Maintaining Your Legal Status" workshop, offered by Bechtel International Center.  Student
4. 

After completion of 2 and 3 above, present photocopies of the following information at the Bechtel International Center:

  •  Pages from the student’s passport:
    • the visa stamp page 
    • expiration of passport page
    • photo page
  • The I-94 card (front and back)
  • The I-20 (pages 1 & 3) of the DS-2019 (front page only).
 Student
5. Upon presentation of the above documentation, release the enrollment hold for the student. Bechtel 
6. Retain all documentation in their files. Bechte

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4. Summer Session Enrollment

The following steps are for graduate students who intend to take summer courses, including language courses, at Stanford in advance of commencing their degree program at Stanford.  This does not apply to enrollment in subsequent summer quarters.  

PROCESS STEPS RESPONSIBILITY
1. Establish intensive English language coursework as a provision of admission and notify the student.  Graduate Admissions
2. Indicate a desire to enroll in Stanford’s Summer Session program, including the intensive language program, by checking the appropriate box on the I-20 request form, and submit an application to the appropriate Summer Session Program Office.  Student
3. Notify the student and the Graduate Admissions Office of acceptance in Stanford’s Summer Session program. Summer Session
4. For new incoming matriculated graduate students who intend to take Summer Session courses at Stanford in advance of commencing their degree program, send I-20 request to Bechtel, and initiate a Summer Visitor  (non-matriculated student) status in PeopleSoft Student Administration for the Summer quarter preceding the initial Autumn term. Graduate Admissions
5. Review student's financial documents and issue the appropriate visa certification.  Bechtel
6. Upon arrival at Stanford University, present necessary documentation at Bechtel International Center (see steps described in 2.3, above).  Student
7. Enroll for appropriate Summer Session courses in Axess. Student

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5. English Placement Examination

PROCESS STEPS RESPONSIBILITY
1. Establish a requirement for completion of the English Placement Examination as a provision of admission and notify the student. Graduate Admissions
2. Take the English Placement Examination, if required, at the start of the graduate program. Student
3. Issue student an evaluation form, listing the courses that the student is required and/or recommended to take before degree completion.  English for Foreign Students program
4. Complete requirements. Student
5. Confirm that student has met requirements before degree completion. Degree Program

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