Apply for admission to graduate school at Delta State online or through the mail with a paper application and submit proof of acceptable funding. See the Admissions Requirements page for a list of all required documents. Once you are accepted to the program of your choice, the International Student Office (ISO) will review your application and issue you a Form I-20 in the mail. You must have a Form I-20 in order to apply for a visa. Once you receive your I-20, check it against your passport to ensure that your name and date of birth are correctly spelled and listed. If the form is not correct please contact our office.

Once you have a Form I-20 you are ready to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee. This fee is required of all F and M students as well as J exchange visitors. You can be pay the fee on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security website at https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/. Without paying this fee, you will not be eligible to apply for a visa. For more information about the SEVIS I-901 fee see the following links:

• I-901 SEVIS fee for F, M, and J Nonimmigrant Students and Exchange Visitors
• I-901 SEVIS Fee for Visa Exempt Students and Exchange Visitors from Canada and Selected British Subject Residents
• I-901 SEVIS Fee Payment Options for Exchange Visitors and Exchange Visitors Program Sponsors

After paying the SEVIS I-901 fee and receiving a receipt, you can apply for a visa at any American embassy or consulate before leaving the United States. Generally, students who finance their studies through personal or family funds should enter the United States on an F-1 visa. When you receive your visa, check to make sure it is the right type and that your name and date of birth are correctly listed and spelled. The following links can assist you in the process of applying for a visa.

• Student Visas
• Department of State Visas (For F students visas)

Once steps one through three have been completed, you are ready to make preparations to enter the United States. You may be refused entry if you attempt to arrive more than 30 days before the start date on your Form I-20. However, you must report to Delta State by the program start date or you are not maintaining your status. If you cannot enter the United States for the term listed, or if you will be a few days late, please contact our office immediately so we can accurately reflect this information in your SEVIS record. The following information will give you a good outline of the arrival processes and the exceptions.

• Arriving at a U.S. Port of Entry: What a Student Can Expect 
• Arrival Procedures