Request your I-20 or DS-2019 Electronically
Only once accepted and ALL required documents have been received can your I-20 or DS/2019 be created. Students may request/respond through a commonly used email that EKU send their I-20/DS-2019 electronically. This will be the fastest, most reliable, and easiest way for students to receive their documents. The documents will be uploaded to the student portal for retrieval at their convenience.
Pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee
As soon as you receive your I-20 or D-2019, you must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee before applying for a student visa. In order to complete Form I-901, you must have your passport, Form I-20 or DS-2019 and be able to locate your SEVIS ID Number, EKU School Code and Program Number (for J-1 Exchange students).
You can make payment of the SEVIS I-901 fee in several ways:
Proof of Payment: Print a receipt of payment after you have completed your I-901 payment on the FMJFee website. In order to get your student visa, you must present this receipt as proof of your I-901 SEVIS Fee payment at your visa interview.
Apply for a Student Visa
There are several steps involved in applying for a visa. The order of these steps and how you complete them vary depending upon U.S. Embassy or Consulate. For precise procedures, consult the instructions available on the Embassy or Consulate website in the country from which you intend to apply.
Note: Canadian students do not need a visa to enter the United States.
Step 1: Obtain a Digital Photo.
You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. Your photo must be in the format explained in the Photograph Requirements.
Step 2: Complete the Online Non-immigrant Visa Application Form DS-160.
Learn more about completing the DS-160.
Step 3: Print the Confirmation Page.
Once you have electronically filled out the DS-160, please print the confirmation page.
Step 4: Schedule an Interview.
Students must schedule an appointment for a visa interview, generally, at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country where you live. You may schedule your interview at any U.S. Embassy or Consulate, but be aware that it may be difficult to qualify for a visa outside of your place of permanent residence.
Step 5: Pay the Visa Application Fee.
The visa application fee is non-refundable. You may also be required to pay a visa issuance (reciprocity) fee depending on your country of origin. Most embassies or consulates will make you pay the visa application fee at a local bank. Check the specific U.S. embassy or consulate website for the correct fee and payment method from the U.S. Embassy website.
Step 6: Gather documentation for interview:
Apply for On-campus Housing
After obtaining a valid U.S. visa, please apply for campus housing immediately.
All single, full-time, undergraduate students under the age of 21 having fewer than 60 hours, or less than four academic semesters are required to live in university residence hall facilities. For housing, please see EKU Housing for the necessary forms. Note that you need an EKU student account in order to log in. You will receive an EKU student ID number in your acceptance letter. You can use this number to log in to EKU Direct, where you will apply for housing online. You will need to work with housing to make a pre-payment of $200. Any further question regarding campus housing, please contact EKU Housing at housing@eku.edu.
Mandatory Health Insurance
Health insurance coverage is mandatory for every international student on a J or F visa enrolling at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU). All international students will be automatically enrolled in the Eastern Kentucky University’s health insurance plan offered by ISO International Student Insurance at the time of class registration. Therefore, DO NOT purchase health insurance from your country for your studies at EKU. The charge for coverage will appear on your student’s tuition and fee bill each semester. The estimated current cost of health insurance is included in the amount shown on your I-20 or DS-2019.
If you are government-sponsored student, we will waive your health insurance charge after we review your financial guarantee document.
Unlike many other countries, the United States does not provide free health care; individuals are responsible for all costs of their health care by purchasing health insurance. In addition, health care in the United States is very costly. The cost of medical treatment and hospitalization in the U.S. can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars.