Steps To Apply For A Visa

• Find out how to obtain an F-1 student visa by visiting the U.S. Department of State.
• Review the Form I-20 (also known as the “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant, F-1, Student”.
  • For accuracy, check your name, date of birth, and all other personal information. If there are any errors, let us know immediately.
  • Sign and date the form.
• Make an appointment at your nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
  • The embassy experiences high traffic around the holidays.
  • Citizens of Canada and Bermuda can enter the U.S. with an I-20 form and do not need to apply for an F-1 visa.
• Pay the SEVIS fee. Foreign citizens applying to become students must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee. A parent or sponsor may pay this fee.  Print a copy of the receipt for your records and bring a second copy to the visa interview.
• Complete the DS-160: Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application.
• Attend your appointment with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Make sure that you have the following items ready to take with you:

• • • • I-20 signed and dated
      • Florida Gateway College acceptance letter
      • A valid passport (valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date)
      • Financial Support documentation
      • Any proof that you are planning to return to your country after you complete your studies.

Change Of Status Information

Individuals in the United States with a nonimmigrant visa status other than “F-1 Student” may be eligible to apply for a “Change of Status” from within the U.S. and start courses at Florida Gateway College. 

Required documents will vary depending on your current status. General instructions are on the USCIS I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status website.

Note: USCIS can take several months to process change-of-status requests. Applicants must maintain their status while waiting for the change of status to be processed.

Housing

It is the student’s responsibility to make housing arrangements upon acceptance to the college.

Florida Gateway College offers a limited number of Residence Life rooms. Please click here for more information about Residence Life at FGC. Students are responsible for housing when the Residence Life Hall is not open for occupancy.

Florida Gateway College is a beautiful campus located approximately five (5) miles outside of the city limits of Lake City in north-central Florida. Students may choose to obtain off-campus housing. Students residing off-campus will also need to secure transportation.

For more information about Lake City, please visit the websites below:

• http://www.columbiacountyfla.com/
• http://www.lakecitychamber.com/
• http://www.visitflorida.com/en-us/cities/lake-city.html

Travel And Arrival Information

You will need many essential things to prepare for your trip to the U.S. As with any international travel, you will need a passport.

Make sure your passport is up-to-date before leaving home. (It must be valid six months after the first day of classes for the term you are attending; suggested one year)

**Arriving in the U.S. up to 30 days before the start date on your I-20 form is highly beneficial.**

This early arrival allows you to complete all your enrollment steps and get familiar with the area, enhancing your overall experience.

Students are responsible for transportation to/from the airport/port of entry. Additionally, students in the Residence Life Hall are responsible for obtaining housing and transportation before the established move-in date.

Immigration Inspection Upon Arrival:

If you arrive by flight, you will be provided the "CF-6059 Customs Declaration Form". If you do not understand the form, ask a flight attendant for assistance.

**It is essential to notify the Customs and Border Protection Officer that you are attending school as an F-1 student.**

Once your inspection is complete, the officer will stamp your I-20 form for the duration of status (D/S). Your entry record, called the I-94, will be electronically recorded and can be accessed online. Always keep the I-94 with your passport, Form I-20, and F1 visa. You must always have these documents with you and be prepared to present them to officials if and when asked. The Designated School Official at Florida Gateway College must make copies of all these documents upon arrival.

If your admission to the U.S. must be verified at the port of entry, be sure to have the name and telephone number of the FGC Designated School Official on hand.
All nonimmigrant visa holders must go through the US-VISIT registration. A scan will be made of two index fingerprints and a digital photograph. Some individuals may be asked to provide additional information under the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System. Follow all instructions given by the Customs and Border Protection Officer. Going through customs can add up to an hour or more to your arrival time, so be prepared. After you go through customs, you must pass through another security and baggage checkpoint.

Steps To Enroll

Below is a list of enrollment steps you will need to complete before attending classes.

Meet with Designated School Official (Check-In):

International students should arrive in the U.S. by the suggested date on your acceptance letter. Once you have arrived, make an appointment to visit the Designated School Official (DSO) in Enrollment Services. Bring copies of all of your immigration documents and proof of health insurance to this meeting. You will complete the remainder of your enrollment process with the assistance of the DSO. This includes placement testing, academic advising, course registration, and fee payment. Each semester, the DSO and academic advisor will work together to assist you with your enrollment.

Schedule Placement Testing:

All students are required to take the Postsecondary Education Readiness Test (PERT) for placement prior to registration for classes at Florida Gateway College. Learn more about the Test Center.

NOTE:  Students who do not place into college-level classes on the PERT test will be required to take developmental courses which will not apply towards the degree and may lengthen the time required to complete your program.

Meet with an Advisor/Attend Orientation:

New students are required to participate in an orientation session which includes information about college services and academic advising. During your advising meeting, your advisor will help you choose the classes needed for your program of study.

Important Notes:

• International students must complete a paper registration form. This form must be provided to the Designated School Official in Enrollment Services; the DSO will register you for classes.
• International students must be registered for 12 or more credit hours each term.
• International students are not permitted to take more than one (1) online or hybrid course per semester.
• Change of degree requests must be approved by the DSO prior to processing.

Information About Health Insurance

International students on an F-1 visa are required to provide proof of health insurance for the duration of their studies at Florida Gateway College. 

Insurance Must Meet The Following Requirements:

• Must include (but is not limited to) illness, accidental injury, repatriation, and medical evacuation.
• Coverage must remain in effect for the duration of the student’s stay in the U.S.

Insurance coverage must be purchased and proof of insurance must be provided to the Designated School Official in Enrollment Services before the student will be allowed to register for classes. The cost of insurance is not included in the amount listed on the Certificate of Financial Responsibility.

Tuition And Fees

Tuition and fees must be paid in full by the posted fee deadline. Florida Gateway College accepts cash, checks, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and PayPal accounts. All funds must be in U.S. currency. Tuition and fees are subject to change without prior notice.

Students on an F-1 visa are NOT eligible for Florida in-state tuition rates.