Visa Information for Canadians to US Medical Schools

[kalia]

Just thought I'd make a thread to combine VISA information:

 

Canadian Citizens: Canadian citizens currently do not require an entry visa to enter the U.S. from Canada, but DO require an I-20. However, we recommend that you use a passport to enter the U.S. as it may be required for other purposes in the U.S., such as completing a form for employment on campus, or applying for a Social Security number. If you enter the U.S. from a country other than Canada, you are required to present a passport at the port of entry. Beginning December 31, 2006, all Canadian citizens entering the U.S. by air or sea will be required to show a passport to enter the United States. Effective December 31, 2007, a passport will be required for ALL entries to the U.S., including land borders.

 

To enter the U.S. in F-1 student status, Canadians DO require an I-20 and proof of payment of the SEVIS fee. To pay the SEVIS fee, go to http://www.fmjfee.com and follow the instructions. Be sure to make a copy of the receipt for your own records.

 

At the port of entry, Canadian students must present the Form I-20 and supporting financial documentation to the immigration inspector to be admitted into the U.S. in F-1 status. You will be given an I-94 Admission/Departure card to complete. Be sure to look at your I-94 card before you leave the inspection area to ensure that it has the notation "F-1, D/S" written on it. Canadian students must have an I-94 card to confirm current F-1 status. If not, you are considered to be in Visitor (B-2) status, a status which does not permit study in the U.S.

 

Some Canadians have mistakenly assumed that regulations that apply to international students do not apply to them. Students from Canada are subject to the same regulations regarding employment in the United States, requirement for full-time study and all other provisions for maintaining status. It is especially important for Canadian students to be vigilant about entering the United States in proper student status, as immigration inspectors are accustomed to admitting Canadian citizens as visitors."

 

 

Great website for VISA INFO (I-20):

 

http://www.premed101.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8019&highlight=visa

 

Official statement from US Consular:

 

Canadian Citizens do not need visas to study in the U.S. You do need to obtain an I-20 (or DS-2019) Certificate of Eligibility from the university that you plan to attend. At the time you receive the I-20 (or DS-2019) you will be registered with SEVIS, the student tracking system. You will be assigned a SEVIS number, and be required to pay a $100 registration fee.

 

When you cross the border to study you will need to provide the Officer at the port of entry:

 

1. Proof of identity and citizenship (a Canadian passport for example)

2. The original I-20 (or DS-2019) certificate

3. Proof that you have paid your SEVIS fee

4. Proof that you have the funds to pay for the school that you plan to attend

5. Proof of your ties to Canada

 

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE A VALID VISA IN AN EXPIRED PASSPORT, DO THE FOLLOWING:

 

I have a valid U.S. visa in my expired passport. How can I use it or do I need an appointment to transfer it to my new passport?

 

You may travel to the U.S. with both your new and expired passport, that contains your valid U.S. visa, if:

 

* both passports are in your hands when you travel;

* your name and nationality in your old and new passports, and your visa, are an exact match;

* your visa is unmutilated and unmarked.

U.S. law has no provision to “transfer” visas. If your old passport is no longer in your hands or your U.S. visa was mutilated, marked, whole punched or removed from your old passport, then you must apply for a new visa in the normal manner by appointment, paying any visa fees and qualifying anew. Do not physically remove your visa from your old passport and attempt to travel with it. Removing a visa from a passport renders it invalid.

[token]

Thanks for posting the info.

 

Does anyone know whether you can apply for I-20s at multiple schools (if you haven't decided yet). I'm not sure what the turnaround time is usually like so I want to send in the info as soon as possible.

[a41]

I wouldn't worry about deadlines...just make up your mind before June and you should be ok.

[kalia]

Can this be stickied?

[Guest viscous]

ok what do they mean by "proof of your ties to Canada?" and why do we have to show the proof at the border that we can pay for US medical college studies????

[Monster]

Ack. June? Why do you say June???

 

I have a feeling I'm going to get waitlisted at my Canadian schools since I only got OOP interviews which means I might not know until maybe July where I'm going:( I guess I could just apply for it and then cancel it right???

 

 

And viscous, I think you have to show proof because the U.S. gov doesn't want people coming into their country without the means to pay for their education and then get a job in the U.S. and take jobs away from their citizens...they don't know if you shown proof to the school already so they likely just make you do it at the border to be sure.

 

 

I wouldn't worry about deadlines...just make up your mind before June and you should be ok.

[Guest viscous]

ok so Canadians dont need F1 visa to study in the US but they do need I-20 as the US counsular says. Then at the port we will show our I-20 to enter the US on F-1 status. whaaaat? i thought you dont need f1

 

quote:

To enter the U.S. in F-1 student status, Canadians DO require an I-20 and proof of payment of the SEVIS fee. To pay the SEVIS fee, go to http://www.fmjfee.com and follow the instructions. Be sure to make a copy of the receipt for your own records.

 

BUT then,

 

fficial statement from US Consular:

 

Canadian Citizens do not need visas to study in the U.S. You do need to obtain an I-20 (or DS-2019) Certificate of Eligibility from the university that you plan to attend. At the time you receive the I-20 (or DS-2019) you will be registered with SEVIS, the student tracking system. You will be assigned a SEVIS number, and be required to pay a $100 registration fee.

[token]

I think what matters is that as a Canadian, getting the I-20 is the time consuming process. They should immediately give you the F-1 at the border without any hassle. If you're coming from another country it can take months of interviews, references etc to get an F-1.

 

We may not actually need the F-1 but you'll want it anyway if you're planning on staying in the US for residency (then you can do your internship without a visa).

[silvermen85]

Visa and immigration status are two completely different thing, so becareful not confusing the two. You need a visa to enter a country, but once you are inside that country you need an immigration status to stay/work/study there. Canada is one of the country that do not require a visa for its citizens to enter the US, however, you are given a immigration status at the border/port of entry. For us students, we need our immigration status to be F-1/J-1 student to be able to study in a degree program in US schools. Therefore, although we do not need visa to enter the US, we do need the immigration officer at the port of entry to declare our status. This is what I-94 card does, the official will stamp F-1/DS stamp on the card which is then stapled onto your passport. This I-94 card is an importantly document as it shows you are now legally of F-1 status within the US.

 

In order to obtain that stamp, you need all the documents mentioned before including a SEVIS certified I-20, a SEVIS receipt, and financial documents. Unlike international students from other countries, Canadians don't need to goto the US consulate to book for a visa interview to get F-1 visa, instead just bring all the documents before you board you flight and get the stamp at the boarder.

[kalia]

Visa and immigration status are two completely different thing, so becareful not confusing the two. You need a visa to enter a country, but once you are inside that country you need an immigration status to stay/work/study there. Canada is one of the country that do not require a visa for its citizens to enter the US, however, you are given a immigration status at the border/port of entry. For us students, we need our immigration status to be F-1/J-1 student to be able to study in a degree program in US schools. Therefore, although we do not need visa to enter the US, we do need the immigration officer at the port of entry to declare our status. This is what I-94 card does, the official will stamp F-1/DS stamp on the card which is then stapled onto your passport. This I-94 card is an importantly document as it shows you are now legally of F-1 status within the US.

 

In order to obtain that stamp, you need all the documents mentioned before including a SEVIS certified I-20, a SEVIS receipt, and financial documents. Unlike international students from other countries, Canadians don't need to goto the US consulate to book for a visa interview to get F-1 visa, instead just bring all the documents before you board you flight and get the stamp at the boarder.

 

++++++++++++++++++++

[Dayne67]

The school that I got accepted to (Wayne State) is asking me to submit a copy of my passport and bank account statements so that I can issue my I-20 form.

 

Do I need to show them that I have enough right now to finance all four years? Right now, I have just enough funds to finance 2 1/2 years. I was going to get a loan in 3rd year to finance the rest.

[silvermen85]

The school that I got accepted to (Wayne State) is asking me to submit a copy of my passport and bank account statements so that I can issue my I-20 form.

 

Do I need to show them that I have enough right now to finance all four years? Right now, I have just enough funds to finance 2 1/2 years. I was going to get a loan in 3rd year to finance the rest.

 

You probably need 4 years of funding to get your I-20. However, the best answer is to ask your school directly. Also keep in mind that the immigration officer will also be looking at if you have sufficient financial support for the duration of your study. So if you come up short, it might give you problems at the border.

[ED527]

Hi Dayne,

 

You only need to show that you have enough resources (funds, LoC) to finance the first year cost of attendance which is something like USD 81,780. I got my bank to write me a letter stating my financial situation. I faxed that letter along with a copy of my passport and the lady on the phone said that it should be okay.

[silvermen85]

General rule of thumb, as a canadian the process of issuing I-20 is much smoother than other countries. It is fairly straight forward verification process for the sponsoring institution. So there really isn't anything to worry about.

[Classic]

Bump.

 

How's everyone doing with their I-20's, etc?

 

I just paid my SEVIS fee today $200

www.fmjfee.com/index.jhtml

 

Good times

[token]

Hey Classic

 

Yeah I received my I-20 a few weeks ago, but I don't know what else we're supposed to do...

 

edit: oops nevermind. You have to pay at least 3 days before you leave right?

[Classic]

At least 3 days so they can "process the paperwork"

 

If you file the I-901 online then you can pay by credit card and print the receipt right away, but I think they still want 3 days to "process"

[ED527]

I just want to make sure I understand all this correctly:

 

At the airport, we show the US immigration folks the I-20, the receipt that says we paid the $200 SEVIS fee, financial statement from banks stating we can pay first year funds and maybe the acceptance letter from the school?

 

At this point, the US immigration should issue the F-1 Visa? Am I missing something? We don't need to go to a US consulate do we?

 

Also, my passport expires in 2012 and as such will I only be issued the F-1 till 2012 and then I'd have to reapply for the F-1 for one more year?

[Classic]

I just want to make sure I understand all this correctly:

 

At the airport, we show the US immigration folks the I-20, the receipt that says we paid the $200 SEVIS fee, financial statement from banks stating we can pay first year funds and maybe the acceptance letter from the school?

 

At this point, the US immigration should issue the F-1 Visa? Am I missing something? We don't need to go to a US consulate do we?

 

Also, my passport expires in 2012 and as such will I only be issued the F-1 till 2012 and then I'd have to reapply for the F-1 for one more year?

 

Correct.

 

At the "port of entry" the immigration official will issue you an I-94 card (which I think they staple into your passport). They will mark on both your I-94 card and Form I-20 with the notation "D/S" (Duration of F-1 Status) and the date.

 

Then when you arrive at the university you have to "check in" with the International Office.

[Classic]

At this point, the US immigration should issue the F-1 Visa? Am I missing something? We don't need to go to a US consulate do we?

 

Also, my passport expires in 2012 and as such will I only be issued the F-1 till 2012 and then I'd have to reapply for the F-1 for one more year?

 

As Canadians we don't have to go to the US consultate, it can all be done at the point of entry.

 

I believe the passport-expiration issue has been discussed in another thread on this board and I believe the answer was that when you get a new passport, bring both passports with you to the border and have the immigration official switch out the I-94 card. Someone correct me if I'm wrong ...

[kalia]

on the first post of the thread:

 

"FOR THOSE WHO HAVE A VALID VISA IN AN EXPIRED PASSPORT, DO THE FOLLOWING:

 

I have a valid U.S. visa in my expired passport. How can I use it or do I need an appointment to transfer it to my new passport?

 

You may travel to the U.S. with both your new and expired passport, that contains your valid U.S. visa, if:

 

* both passports are in your hands when you travel;

* your name and nationality in your old and new passports, and your visa, are an exact match;

* your visa is unmutilated and unmarked.

 

U.S. law has no provision to “transfer” visas. If your old passport is no longer in your hands or your U.S. visa was mutilated, marked, whole punched or removed from your old passport, then you must apply for a new visa in the normal manner by appointment, paying any visa fees and qualifying anew. Do not physically remove your visa from your old passport and attempt to travel with it. Removing a visa from a passport renders it invalid."

 

short version: bring both your old and new passport with you, show them your visa in your old passport, don't attempt to remove the visa from the old passport into the new passport, just bring along both.

[Classic]

See, I knew that thread was around here somewhere

 

Thanks kalia

[ED527]

I guess it's worth it to read the first post on the first page of a thread. :p

[kalia]

how long did it take for you guys to receive the I-797 receipt (hardcopy) from SEVIS?

 

Should it still say "In Process" once you check your status after a week or so?

[Classic]

how long did it take for you guys to receive the I-797 receipt (hardcopy) from SEVIS?

 

Should it still say "In Process" once you check your status after a week or so?

 

Do we need the hardcopy as proof of payment when we go to the border or can we just use the web printout?

 

... I'm slightly panicking right now because I was counting on just using the web printout