How to Get a Student Visa

Before the University of Indianapolis issues you an I-20 student visa document, you must:

• Apply for and be accepted to the University of Indianapolis
• Pay the $50 application fee
• Upload a copy of your passport ID page to your student portal  
• Upload adequate financial documentation to your student portal 

To qualify for an I-20 for the 2026-2027 academic year, you should submit documentation showing the equivalent of $56,000US in savings, minus the amount of any scholarship you receive from UIndy. This amount is to cover tuition, fees, room, food, books, supplies, medical insurance, personal expenses, and any emergencies for one year.

Tip: It is important to note that your actual cost to attend UIndy will be lower because the I-20 figure includes funding for personal expenses and any emergencies.

Anyone, including yourself, may serve as your financial sponsor, and you may have more than one sponsor.  Each sponsor should submit:

1. Statement of Financial Support form
2. One or more bank statements or letters.  Bank documents should show a closing balance no older than five months. Funds may be in any currency; however, bank documents must be in English or accompanied by an English translation. 

Remember, you should upload your passport copy, the completed support form and bank documents to your student portal.

No. It is not necessary to submit financial documents before we consider you for admission or for an academic scholarship.

When your I-20 is ready, we will post it to your application portal and notify you via email. You may use your electronically issued I-20 to both apply for a visa and enter the US.

Follow our emailed instructions to check, print and use your I-20 to apply for a student visa and enter the U.S.

The first step is to pay the U.S. government’s I-901 SEVIS fee.  For this, you will need your SEVIS ID number, which is located on the top left of your I-20.

Students from most countries need to work with a U.S. Embassy or Consulate to apply for a student visa.

From Canada or Bermuda? Just pay the I-901 SEVIS fee and follow your special instructions for entering the U.S. in student-visa status. Citizens of Canada and Bermuda do not need to apply for a student visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

• Practice succinct responses but do not plan on memorizing and reciting your answers.
• Dress neatly, be honest, speak naturally and confidently, smile, and look the consular officer in the eye.
• Present yourself as the professional you are training to be.

Under U.S. law, people who apply for non-immigrant visas, such as an F-1 student visa, are viewed as immigrants (who want to live permanently in the U.S.) until they convince the consular officer they intend to stay only temporarily in the U.S. You must be able to show you have reasons for returning to your residence abroad that are stronger than reasons for remaining in the United States and that you intend to depart the United States at the conclusion of your studies. Ties to your home country are the things that connect you to your hometown or current place of residence: job, family, property,  investments, etc. The interviewing officer may ask about your family or other relationships, educational objectives, grades, long-range plans, and career prospects in your home country. If you have close relatives living in the U.S., it may be harder for you to demonstrate that you are not planning to stay in the U.S. long term. Still, you should be truthful if asked about relatives living in the U.S.

If you are not able to explain the reasons you will study your major at UIndy, you may not convince the consular officer you are planning to study in the United States rather than work or stay indefinitely. You should be able to explain how studying at the University of Indianapolis relates to your career goals and employment prospects when you return home. You should also be prepared to explain why you have chosen UIndy. Please review the university website, note which features are most important to you personally, and prepare to speak about why you want to attend UIndy. We cannot tell you what to say. If your reasons are genuine to you, this will come through in the interview and increase your chance of being awarded a visa.

Plan how you will pay for your studies and discuss this with your sponsor. Be prepared to explain your financial plan and carry supporting documentation in case you are asked to show it. The financial information indicated on your I-20 should match the evidence you provide to the consular officer. If you honestly don’t know how you will pay for your studies in a timely manner, you should not come to the U.S. In this case, you probably won’t get a visa, and if you do, you won’t be able to remain in the U.S. legally without making payment.

The written documents you present should be brief and clear. Supporting documentation will depend on your situation, so it is best to review the Consulate’s website to find out what to bring. At a minimum, be prepared to show your passport, I-20, admission/scholarship letter, financial documents, academic transcripts, standardized exam results (such as TOEFL), proof of SEVIS fee payment (Form I-901), and DS-106 confirmation page. Make sure your documents are well-organized and easily accessible.

Due to the large number of applications they receive, consular officers are expected to conduct quick interviews. Your interview may last only two minutes, so the first impression you create is critical to your success. Keep your answers short and to the point, responding precisely to the officer’s questions and statements. Do not plead or argue with the officer. If you are denied a visa, request a written explanation and a list of documents you should prepare if you reapply.