Visa Requirements
Stanford requires international students who attend Stanford Summer Session to have a visa appropriate for academic study. For most students, this will be an F-1 Student Visa, although there are additional visa classifications that cover credit-based study.
The following visa requirements apply only to students who have submitted applications to Stanford Summer Session. Other summer programs on the Stanford campus have their own visa requirements which may differ.
If you are already studying in the U.S. with an I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant F-1 Student Status) sponsored by another institution:
You may not require a new I-20 from Stanford. Applicants are able to describe their visa situation as part of their online application and will be contacted directly if additional information is needed. If you have questions about your visa status, you are encouraged to contact the Stanford Summer Session office.
If you require an I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant F-1 Student Status) from Stanford:
You are required to maintain enrollment in a minimum of 8 course units. The Stanford Summer Session office will monitor enrollment throughout the Summer Quarter to ensure compliance.
Process to Obtain an F-1 Student Visa
The first step in the process of attending Stanford for the summer is to apply. If offered admission, the next step is to complete an acceptance process. This process includes submission of the following three documents:
- Declaration of Finance: An online form completed as part of the Stanford Summer Session acceptance process.
- Proof of Funding Document: A letter or statement from your financial institution or from your family’s financial institution, verifying that there are funds sufficient to cover the program’s full cost as stated on the Declaration of Finance. This document must be shown in U.S. dollars. We will also accept documents with the financial information listed in local currency, if necessary. It is recommended that you request two originals of this document: one to submit to Stanford and one to bring with you to your appointment at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. When funding for the program comes from a source other than you (e.g. parent, company, or agency), the Stanford Summer Session office requires a short message from this source explaining that funds held in their name will be used to cover program costs incurred by the applicant.
- Current Passport Photocopy: A copy of the identification page(s) of your passport.
Once all acceptance items have been received and you have been assigned a Stanford ID number, Stanford University will generate your I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant F-1 Student Status).
After you receive your I-20, the following items must be completed by the student in order to obtain an F-1 Student Visa:
- Pay the SEVIS fee to the U.S. Government and obtain a receipt. Go to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) SEVIS I-901 website for information about the process, including details on how to pay the SEVIS fee online.
- Arrange an F-1 Visa appointment at your local U.S. Embassy or Consulate after you have received an I-20 and paid the SEVIS fee. You should follow the guidelines of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate for requesting an F-1 Student Visa. The appropriate visa application fee will be assessed at the time of the appointment. You should plan ahead and allow plenty of time for this process to occur. To attend Stanford Stanford Summer Session, you must arrive to campus on Saturday, June 24, 2023.
- Present the following items at the visa Appointment:
- Original I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant F-1 Student Status)
- I-901 SEVIS Fee Receipt
- Stanford University Stanford Summer Session Admission Letter (available online within the Stanford Summer Session applicant portal)
- Original Proof of Funding Document
- Valid Passport
- 2 Passport-Size Photos
For assistance with general questions about student visas, you should consult the U.S. Department of State Visas website. There you will find helpful information about the F-1 Student Visa, including locations of U.S. Embassies and Consulates, timelines for scheduling interviews, details about visa processing, and more.
Please note that certain countries may be experiencing possible delays in visa processing. Please allow ample time for this process as students are responsible for acquiring their visa before the start of the program.
Contact the Stanford Summer Session office if you have any questions relating to immigration or visa matters. F-1 students in initial status may enter the United States up to 30 days prior to the “report date” listed on the I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant F-1 Student Status). On-campus housing is not available until June 22, 2024.
