1. Apply for an I-20 or DS-2019. Once you have been admitted to a full-time program at New York University, you must apply for a Form I-20 (for F-1 students) from the OISS. J-1 students must apply for a Form DS-2019 from the OISS or from a qualifying Exchange Visitor program (such as Fulbright, LASPAU, or AMIDEAST) that authorizes study at New York University.

In order to apply for an I-20 or DS-2019 from NYU, you must complete an Application for Certificate of Eligibility (AFCOE) sent to you with your admission letter. Complete the AFCOE and submit it to the OISS for proceessing. If you did not receive an AFCOE contact the admissions office to request the form.

2. F-1 Students Only: Complete an F-1 TRANSFER INFORMATION FORM. If you are an F-1 student currently in the United States at another institution, you must have your current international student advisor complete an F-1 TRANSFER FORM (PDF). Arrange to have your current international student advisor send the F-1 Transfer Form directly to the OISS. In order to issue a transfer I-20 form, your former school must release your SEVIS record to New York University. It will take approximately two weeks to issue a transfer I-20 from the date the OISS receives a completed AFCOE and has access to your SEVIS record.

3. J-1 Students Only: If you are currently in the U.S. in J-1 student status, you must discuss your eligibility to transfer to NYU's program sponsorship with your current program sponsor. You must ensure that your new program at NYU is consistent with your original program objective.

4. Once you have received your I-20 or DS-2019, you must activate your form. Activation must be completed by reporting your arrival to NYU at the mandatory check-in workshop. F-1 students and J-1 transfer students must attend the next available check-in workshop as soon as possible upon your arrival. You must attend the check-in workshop BEFORE your program start date. Failure to attend a mandatory check-in workshop may jeopardize your ability to remain legally in the U.S.

J-1 students who received their DS-2019 from a sponsoring J-1 Exchange Visitor program such as Fulbright must report to their sponsoring organization to have their forms activated.

IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY IN THE U.S. NOT IN F-1 OR J-1 STATUS

If you are currently in the U.S. but not in F-1 or J-1 status, you may or may not need to change your status in order to pursue full-time studies at NYU. Please consult with an OISS advisor in order to discuss your individual situation.

• If you are presently in a different nonimmigrant status but wish to obtain F-1 or J-1 status, please read our instructions on "Obtaining F-1 or J-1 Student Status" in the Immigration and Employment section of this web site.

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