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Admissions Office International Students - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Click here to get tips on obtaining your F-1 visa.
Click here to learn what can you do to avoid being denied by the U.S. Embassy for your F-1 visa.
Admission Questions:
Q. Can you issue my I-20 before you receive my original documents?
A. We need original or certified copies of your bank statement, academic transcript, and diploma before we can issue your I-20.
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Q. How will I know if I have been accepted by Virginia International University?
A. You can check the status of your application online at any time. If you have been accepted, your status will either be "application accepted" or "I-20 sent."
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Q. If my F-1 visa is denied, can I get a refund of the $50 postage and $100 application fee?
A. The $50 postage fee and $100 application fee is nonrefundable.
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Q. Will my diploma be accepted by Virginia International University?
A. Please submit a notarized copy of your diploma and transcripts accompanied by a certified translation. Our transcript analyst will review your diploma. In the case that VIU has some questions regarding your diploma or transcript, we will ask you to submit your diploma and transcripts to WES (World Education Services). You can access the website here: http://www.wes.org/ca/licensing/foreign.asp. Then ask WES send VIU a copy of their evaluation.
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Visa Questions: - top
Q. What can I do to ensure that I will be granted an F-1 visa?
A. The best thing you can do is be honest and sincere. Consular officers want to know that you intend to study in the U.S. and plan to return to your country after you complete your studies. Make sure these are your intentions. Provide evidence that you have a job in your home country or that you have “strong ties” that ensure you intend to return home and improve the conditions of your home country.
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Q. Can I work while I am a student at Virginia International University on an F-1 visa?
A. F-1 students are not legally allowed to work off-campus while on an F-1 visa. Please do not accept any type of employment while on an F-1 visa unless you have approval from your international student advisor. VIU provides limited opportunities for students to work on-campus. If you are interested in working on campus, please take your resume to the HR department. Other opportunities for work include Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Curricular Practical Training (CPT).
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Q. What is a Social Security Number?
A. It is an identification number used to track income of legally employed individuals for tax purposes. When F-1 students are eligible for off-campus employment, such as OPT and CPT, or on-campus work, they may obtain a social security number. After your international student advisor approves your on-campus work or off-campus work, please take your updated I-20 and your employment letter to the social security office and apply for a number.
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Q. What is CPT and OPT?
A. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is training considered an integral part of the curriculum or academic program or a required elective course taken for credit. According to immigration regulations, this employment may be an internship, cooperative education job, a practicum, or any other work experience that is either required for your degree or for which academic credit is awarded. If you would like to apply for CPT, please talk to your academic advisor.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment authorization that gives F-1 students an opportunity to apply knowledge gained in the classroom in practical work experience off campus. Authorization for optional practical training is granted by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) after the student has graduated from an academic program.
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Q. What are the Eligibility Requirements for F-1 Optional Practical Training?
A. To be eligible to apply for optional practical training, you must:
· be recent a graduate from a degree or diploma program
· maintain valid F-1 status for at least one year, and
· intend to work in a position directly related to your major field of study.
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General Questions: - top
Q. Does VIU offer Health Insurance?
A. As of Fall 2007, Virginia International University offers health insurance and all the international students are required to be covered. The cost of the insurance is $240.00 per semester, which is $2.00 dollars a day, and will be automatically added to your Bursar’s account. If you already have insurance from your country or another source, please bring proof of insurance and we will waiver the insurance fee.
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Q. Does VIU provide housing for students?
A. Virginia International University has limited housing available for students who apply early. Also, our housing and accommodation office would be more than happy to assist students in finding housing. For more information, please contact
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Q. I have my F-1 visa and my plane ticket. What should I bring to the U.S.?
A. The key to traveling internationally is to pack light! Make sure that you bring pictures of your family and loved ones for comfort. Carry pocket money on you for emergencies. Please do not carry large sums of cash while traveling. If you have prescription medication, bring the prescription translated into English and be sure to bring it in your carry-on luggage. For a list of items that are prohibited to carry on flights to the U.S., please visit the Transportation Security Administration website: http://www.tsa.gov .
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