Newly Admitted

Now that you’ve been accepted to Purdue Fort Wayne, you’ll need to take the following steps to get your visa:

1. Get your I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1) document from Purdue University Fort Wayne. If you are an International Student Exchange Program (ISEP) J-1 student, get your documents from ISEP.
2. Pay the I-901 SEVIS fee—$350 (F-1) or $220 (J-1).
   • F-1 school code: CHI214F10460001
   • J-1 school code: P-1-13823 (only if Purdue Fort Wayne issued your DS-2019)
3. Get a visa—make an appointment at the US embassy or consulate in your home country to apply. Please check the website of the embassy you’ll be going to for your appointment, as there can be slight variations to the required documents.

When you go to get your visa, you’ll need the following documents:

• Valid passport (for at least six months into the future)
• Original letter of acceptance or admission from Purdue Fort Wayne
• Valid SEVIS I-20 or DS-2019 and a copy of the SEVIS I-901 fee receipt
• Original copies of all financial documents (such as bank statements proving funding)
• Proof of ties to your home country (job, ownership of property, etc.)
• Copies of all transcripts
• Copies of your English proficiency results (such as TOEFL, IELTS, or SAT/ACT results)

Ties to Your Home Country
Under US law, all applicants for nonimmigrant visas, such as student visas, are viewed as intending immigrants until they can convince the consular officer that they are not. You must, therefore, be able to show that you have reasons for returning to your home country that are stronger than those for remaining in the United States. Ties to your home country are the things that connect you to your hometown, homeland, or current place of residence, such as job, family, financial prospects that you own or will inherit, or investments.

As a prospective student, the interviewing officer may ask about your specific intentions or promise of future employment, family or other relationships, educational goals, grades, long-range plans, and career prospects in your home country. Each person’s situation is different, of course, and there is no magic explanation or single document, certificate, or letter that can guarantee you a visa. If you have applied for the US green-card lottery, you may be asked if you are hoping to immigrate. A simple answer would be that you applied for the lottery since it was available, but not with a specific intent to immigrate. If you overstayed your authorized stay in the United States previously, be prepared to explain what happened clearly and concisely, with documentation if available.

English
Expect that the interview will be conducted in English and not in your native language. One suggestion is to practice English conversation with a native speaker before the interview, but do not prepare and memorize speeches.

Speak for Yourself
Do not bring parents or family members with you to the interview. The consular officer wants to interview you, not your family. You will make a negative impression if you are not prepared to speak on your own behalf.

Know the Program and How It Fits Your Career Plan
If you are not able to explain clearly the reasons you will study in a particular program in the United States, you may have trouble convincing the consular officer that you are indeed planning to study, rather than to immigrate. You should also be able to explain how studying in the United States relates to your future professional career when you return home. If there is a gap in your education, please be prepared to explain this during your visa interview.

Be Brief and Maintain a Positive Attitude 
Because of the number of applications received, all consular officers are under considerable time pressure to conduct a quick and efficient interview. They must make a decision, for the most part, on the impressions they form during the first minute of the interview. Therefore, what you say first and the initial impression you create are critical to your success. Keep your answers to the officer’s questions short and concise. Do not argue with the consular officer. If you are denied a student visa, ask the officer for a list of documents they would suggest that you bring in order to change the decision, and try to get the reason you were denied in writing.

Additional Documentation
It should be immediately clear to the consular officer what written documents you are presenting and what they mean. Lengthy written explanations cannot be read or evaluated quickly. Remember that you will have two to three minutes of interview time, if you are lucky.

Not All Countries are the Same
Applicants from countries suffering economic problems or from countries where many students have remained in the United States as immigrants will have more difficulty getting visas. Statistically, applicants from those countries are more likely to be intending immigrants. They are also more likely to be asked about job opportunities at home after their study in the United States. Several US consulates around the globe have created YouTube videos that explain the visa process at their specific posts. Always check your specific US embassy or consulate to see if a new YouTube video is available.

Employment
Your main purpose in coming to the United States should be to study, not for the chance to work before or after graduation. While many students do work on campus during their studies, such employment is secondary to their main purpose of completing their US education. You must be able to clearly explain your plan to return home at the end of your program. If your spouse is also applying for an accompanying F-2 visa, be aware that F-2 dependents cannot, under any circumstances, be employed in the United States. If asked, be prepared to tell the officer what your spouse intends to do with their time while in the United States. Volunteer work and attending school part-time are permitted activities.

Dependents at Home
If your spouse and children are remaining behind in your country, be prepared to explain how they will support themselves while you are gone. This can be an especially tricky area if you are the primary source of income for your family. If the consular officer gets the impression that your family will need you to send money from the United States in order to support themselves, your student visa application will almost certainly be denied. If your family does decide to join you at a later time, it’s helpful to have them apply at the same post where you applied for your visa.

REQUIRED IMMUNIZATIONS

All new students are required to meet the immunization requirements by no later than the end of the first semester.

TRAVEL TIPS

Make your traveling easy by reviewing the following tips:

• Please purchase your airline ticket and make your travel arrangement after your F-1 visa is secured.
• Please arrange your plane to arrive in Fort Wayne before 3 p.m. in order to be able to arrive at the International Education before the end of the business day (5 p.m.).
• Never leave your luggage unattended at the airport and do not allow strangers to carry your bags.
• Do not carry bags belonging to others.
• Always observe signs and regulations in public places.
• Always carry a valid credit card and cash in the amount of $100 in American currency in case of an emergency.
• Do not accept rides from strangers; take only official taxis from the airport to your final destination.
• Be careful who you give personal information to, for example, your name or address.
• Be aware of your surroundings; if you become lost, ask a police officer, security guard, airline personnel, or workers in the airport for assistance.
• In case of an emergency, call 911 from any telephone.

WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING

We recommend you bring the following items for your room at Purdue Fort Wayne. If you cannot bring them, make sure to have extra money to purchase them in the United States.

Our categorization is general. There may be some items that you may see as more important than others, but we strongly suggest that you bring or purchase the items in the Must Bring category. The third category represents items that make life comfortable, but they are not necessities. During international-student orientation, there will be opportunities for you to go shopping for what you need in the second and third categories.

All the Must Bring items are very necessary for all new international students coming to Purdue Fort Wayne. Please make sure to include them in your bags. For more helpful information on your preparation before coming to the United States, please visit eduPASS.

Must Bring

• Device Charging Cords
• Pajamas
• Blankets
• Eyeglasses or contact lenses (if needed)
• Medicine and prescriptions
• Towel, soap, and lotion
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Slippers or flip-flops
• Backpack
• US currency

WINTER

• Sweaters
• Hats and gloves
• Coats
• Insulated and waterproof boots 

SUMMER

• Shorts
• T-shirts

Important
(can purchase here)

• Alarm clock
• Study lamp
• Pillow and pillowcases
• Bedspread and sheets
• Clothes (jackets, dress shoes, formal attire)
• Umbrella
• Hair dryer

Other

• Music from your home country
• Camera
• Mattress pad
• Items to decorate your room
• Personal computer
• Laundry bag or basket
• Throw rugs
• Athletic shoes
• Traditional dress or outfit for cultural events
• Bathrobe
• Photos (family and friends)
• Hangers
• First-aid kit

Many students use either a taxi, Uber, or Lyft to get from the Fort Wayne Airport to campus.  

To use Uber or Lyft, you will need to have the app downloaded on your phone and have a credit card connected to the app.

You can view Fort Wayne Airport Parking and Transportation information here.

If you are staying in Purdue Fort Wayne student housing the address is:

4010 West Housing Drive
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46815

You must check-in at the student clubhouse upon arrival.

If you are a new international student at Purdue Fort Wayne, you will be required to attend the International Student Orientation session to complete your check-in. These meetings are held at the beginning of every fall and spring semester the week before the beginning of classes. The orientation date is listed as the start date on your I-20. You must attend the orientation whether you are an undergraduate, transfer, exchange, or graduate student.

Note: International Student Orientation is separate from New Student Orientation (NSO). If you are an undergraduate student, you will need to attend both New Student Orientation (NSO) and International Student Orientation.  

During the international orientation session, you will receive important information about campus resources, immigration regulations, health insurance requirements, and other key aspects of student life at Purdue Fort Wayne. This is also a great opportunity to meet fellow international students, ask questions, and get acclimated to your new academic environment. Remember to bring all necessary documents such as your passport, visa, I-20, and any other relevant paperwork to ensure a smooth check-in process. The international education team is here to support you every step of the way, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any concerns or need assistance. We are excited to welcome you to our diverse and vibrant campus community, and we look forward to helping you thrive during your time at Purdue Fort Wayne!

If you have questions or concerns, contact the Office of International Education at [email protected] or 260-481-6034.