F-1 Newly Admitted Students
Learn what you need to know to secure a visa, travel to the US and set yourself up for life at RISD.
F-1 visa instructions
If you are not a US citizen or permanent resident and wish to study at RISD, you will need an F-1 (student) visa. In order to obtain an F-1 visa, you will be issued a Form I-20 by RISD’s Admissions Office. The Form I-20 will allow you to request a visa interview at your local US consulate.
Canadian F-1 students: You will not need to apply for an F-1 visa at a US consulate. Instead, you will enter the US with the following documents:
Form I-20, printed and signed
Valid passport
RISD acceptance letter
Copies of your financial documents
Questions about your Form I-20? Email admissions@risd.edu.
Uncertain what visa type you need to study at RISD? Email issa@risd.edu
Seeking a J-1 visa? In more limited circumstances you may need to study or work in the US on a J-1 visa. If you believe this applies to you, email issa@risd.edu.
Applying for an F-1 visa
01
Form I-20
Receive your Form I-20 from Admissions. You must first be accepted to RISD, provide Admissions with required documents and pay your enrollment deposit.
Instructions will be provided to you by Admissions throughout the process. If you have questions, please email admissions@risd.edu.
02
SEVIS fee
After you receive your I-20, you must pay the I-901 Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVIS) fee.
You will receive instructions along with your I-20. The fee is to be paid electronically. After you make your I-901 payment, be sure to keep your receipt. You will need it for your visa appointment.
03
Visa appointment
You may only apply for an F-1 visa at a US embassy or consulate outside of the US, preferably one in your home country.
At your appointment, you must present the following:
- RISD Form I-20
- a valid passport
- your RISD acceptance letter
- a declaration of finances form and financial statement(s)
- I-901 payment receipt
Be sure to check your local embassy/consulate’s website to see if you need to present additional documents at your appointment, as well as to view processing times.
Arrival logistics
Packing
- Clothing: You should bring clothing for all weather. Temperatures in RI range from 18–37 degrees celsius in summer (June–September) to -3–6 degrees celsius with snow in winter (December–March). To help prepare, you can view monthly weather projections on weather.com.
- Art supplies: Wait until you arrive to buy art materials. You will receive very specific supply lists for each class you take here.
- Housing supplies and bedding: Buy these when you arrive or order ahead and schedule delivery to RISD.
Arriving in the US
Upon landing in the US, be ready to present all important documents to Customs and Border Protection (CBP). These include:
- original I-20 (bring any previous I-20s you have as well)
- passport (must be valid for at least six months after arrival)
- F-1 student visa (Canadian citizens do not require a visa before entry)
- declaration of finances form and supporting bank statements (same as those that you brought to your visa interview)
- RISD acceptance letter
- any other official forms of personal identification
Your airline will give you a form to complete and then give to the CBP officer as you go through Customs. The information you provide will be entered into the automated I-94 system and become your arrival/departure document.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
- Provide all necessary documents to the CBP officer (see “Arriving in the US” above) for the CBP inspection process.
- Upon review, the CBP officer will stamp your I-20 and F-1 student visa. Make sure to enter the US with the F-1 student visa and that the CBP does not record you as a tourist.
- If the officer determines that they need to search your electronic device(s)—these are subject to search—you may need to complete a supplemental questions for visa applicants form.
- If you experience trouble making it through Customs, call RISD Public Safety at +1 401 454–6376. They will put you in touch with us for advice.
- Direct any complaints you have about CBP to either a CBP supervisor or commander. If you need to discuss your complaint further, speak with your international student advisor when you arrive on campus.
After arrival
Once you arrive, CBP records your information electronically. This will become your I-94 record. To retrieve your electronic I-94*, do as follows:
- Get your most recent I-94 from the Department of Homeland Security’s official I-94 website. (You will read the notification and select “Consent and Continue” to proceed.)
- Provide the required information and select “Next” to access to your current I-94.
- Check your I-94 to confirm your name, all personal information, visa category and expiration date of authorized stay. Your expiration date should read “D/S” (Duration of Stay). The name on your I-94 should match that on your passport.
- If you find errors, contact CBP as soon as possible. You can contact us for help reaching CBP.
- If you don’t find errors, print your I-94. Keep it with your I-20 and passport.
- When you arrive in the U.S., you will need to complete an online Arrival Form via the Terra Dotta student portal. The Arrival Form must be completed within 15 days of the Program Start Date listed on your Form I-20. Please review this guide before starting the check-in process.
- You will not receive a paper I-94 unless you enter the US by car or boat.
For questions about move-in or living on campus, please see Residence Life.
Banks and phones
We have prepared some considerations for you when choosing your bank or phone service provider. Please note that we cannot endorse any specific bank or phone service provider, but may suggest local providers for you.
Banks
To decide what bank is best for you, you may consider asking yourself:
- What are your international wire transfer fees?
- What are your ATM fees?
- How many ATMs are locally nearby?
- Are your checking and savings accounts free?
- Do you offer discounted student accounts?
Bank of America
215 Atwells Avenue
Providence, RI 02903
401 228-0172
Chase
234 Thayer Street
Providence, RI 02906
401 824-0706
Citizens Bank
30 Kennedy Plaza, Suite 101
Providence, RI 02903
401 456-7010
Santander
One Financial Plaza
Providence, RI 02903
401 752-1900
TD Bank
180 Westminster Street, Suite 7
Providence, RI 02903
401 455-2900
Phones
To decide which phone company is best for you, you may consider asking yourself:
- Can I keep my current phone by equipping it with a SIM card?
- Is there an upfront fee to start a plan?
- What price/minutes options are available to me?
- Do I need to sign a contract? What is the charge if I break the contract?The following phone and service providers are located in the Providence Place Mall at 1 Providence Place, Providence, RI 02903
AT&T (passport required)
401 270-4903
Schedule an appointment
T-Mobile (ID required for postpaid accounts; no documents required for prepaid services)
401 383-3112
Verizon
401 270-4330
Schedule an appointment (schedule before going to the store)
Adjusting to a new culture
It can be exciting to go to a new place that is culturally different from your home. However, living in a new country for a long period of time can take some getting used to.
Here are some tips as you adjust to life in the US and at RISD:
- Learn about Providence before you travel. Knowing more about the history, social norms, customs, politics and geography of the US, Rhode Island, Providence and RISD will help you to understand your experiences while living here.
- Expect to make mistakes. Even after learning about a new culture, living there can present some challenges. Don’t be afraid to take risks and learn from them.
- Keep in touch with your family and friends at home.
- Tell people about how you are feeling. You are not alone in your discomfort. RISD’s student body is comprised of 37% international students from around the world.
- Do not isolate yourself. Meeting new people can be scary sometimes, but well worth the risk.
- Keep a journal so you can reflect on your experiences.
- Take care of yourself. Eat healthy, familiar foods, stay hydrated, get adequate sleep and exercise regularly.
- Make a routine and stay with it.
- Get involved on campus. The more you take part in campus life, the more RISD will feel like home—and you’ll make new friends.
- Know your resources. In addition to our office, we have many campus partners (listed below) with staff members ready to help you.
CSI enhances your student experience outside the studio and classroom by connecting you with clubs and organizations, events, campus initiatives and other forms of community engagement covering a wide range of interests.
As a resource for students across a wide spectrum of identities, ISE promotes cultural awareness, dialogue and interaction throughout the RISD community.
The team of mental health professionals in CAPS offers various forms of support throughout your time at RISD that is available at no additional cost for all registered students.
With nurse practitioners trained in a wide range of clinical areas, Health Services connects you with caring, informed medical advice and hands-on care at no cost to full-time students.
Contact Us
If you need have questions about navigating your F-1 or J-1 status, please email us at issa@risd.edu or call 401 277-4957.