The information contained on this page is for general information purposes only. Due to frequent government updates, NYU OGS may make additions, deletions, or modifications to the contents on this page at any time without prior notice.

Please note, these directions are meant to help you in completing your application but should not be considered legal advice. The US Department of State ultimately provides the decision on your visa application.

Step 1.1
Receive your admission letter (or electronic version) from NYU.

To be eligible for NYU sponsorship of F-1 or J-1 student status, you need to be accepted to a full-time academic program at NYU and have an official admission notice from NYU along with an NYU University ID number. You are not eligible for NYU sponsorship if your program of study consists of only online courses. If you are not yet admitted to NYU and have questions about how to apply or you need to obtain a copy of your admission letter, please visit NYU admissions.

If you are an undergraduate student and need to access your admission letter, you can do so through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions portal.

Step 1.2
Activate your NYU NetID and NYU email. 

  • If you don’t already know your NetID, learn your NYU NetID.
  • If you already know your NetID, go to start.nyu.edu to activate it.
  • Enter your NetID and click the “Start!” button.

Step 1.3
Decide if you will apply for F-1 or J-1 status.

In order to study at NYU, you will need to obtain a student status for the US. NYU sponsors international students for either F-1 or J-1 student status. Read about your options below and decide which status works best for you.

Step 1.4

Prepare your documents for your application.

 

You will need to have ready your admission letter and passport biographical page. Additionally, you will need financial documents that prove you can pay for the estimated expenses at NYU. To see the amount of money you will need to show for one year of your academic program visit this estimated expenses page. You must be able to pay for your tuition, fees, health insurance, and living expenses while at NYU.

  • You need to show proof that you can pay for the first year’s expenses. If your academic program is for less than a year, then provide proof that you can pay for all expenses for the duration of your program.

The kinds of financial documentation we accept at the OGS include:

  • Personal funds: a bank statement dated within the last six months.
  • A Personal loan: a pre-approval letter confirming amount for which the loan is approved. A loan application is not sufficient.
  • An individual sponsor: the OGS Financial Support Agreement plus a bank statement and/or letter from employer confirming annual salary and sponsor's position. We will apply up to 1/3 of your sponsor's yearly salary toward your funding.
  • If you will be staying somewhere where you will receive free room and board: you need to provide a letter from who you are staying with indicating the amount of support they will provide for you and the duration of time you will stay with them. Include your sponsor's utility bill, deed or rental agreement. The value of room and board is estimated to be $21,062 per year.
  • An organizational sponsor: A copy of an award letter from a sponsoring organization specifying the amount of the award, its duration, and the terms of renewal, or NYU funding: a copy of an NYU award letter for an NYU scholarship, assistantship, or fellowship.

 

Next Steps

Step 2

Apply for an I-20 or DS-2019