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Pre-Departure Information

A graduate student writes on a whiteboard.

For Spring 2027

Pay the SEVIS fee

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security requires that all F-1 visa applicants pay a nonrefundable US$350 SEVIS fee at least three days before they apply for a visa. You can find more information about the SEVIS Fee by visiting wichita.edu/SEVIS.

Apply for a visa

Most students will need to obtain an F-1 (student) visa at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate before coming to Wichita. Depending on the country, obtaining a visa can range from being quite easy to very difficult. To apply for a student visa, you must submit the following to the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate: (Please note: these details are subject to change. Please check with your embassy for the most up to date procedures.)

  1. Form DS-160 (completed online)
  2. Non-refundable $185 visa application fee
  3. Visa Integrity Fee of $250 (after visa is approved)
  4. Receipt* that you paid the $350 nonrefundable SEVIS fee
    (*Keep the receipt and bring it with you to the U.S.)
  5. A Passport valid for at least 6 months (plus any old passports you may have.)
  6. A current Form I-20 from Wichita State University
  7. A photo (Visit: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/photos.html for details)
  8. Evidence of sufficient funds to study in the U.S. including a bank statement
  9. U.S. visa requirements differ from country to country, find visa information for your country by visiting: https://www.usembassy.gov/

Book your travel

After you receive your visa, you will need to book your travel to the U.S. Make sure you book a ticket to arrive no later than the start date on your i-20. WSU does not permit late arrivals. You will want to make sure your final destination is Dwight D. Eisenhower Airport (ICT). You will need to bring all of your immigration documents that pertain to your status and keep these documents with you at all times during your travel. Do not leave these documents in your luggage as you will need to present them for inspection at the U.S. port of entry before you can pick up your luggage in the U.S.

Arrival at U.S. port of entry (airport)

When you arrive, you will apply for official "admission" to the U.S. in a particular immigration classification at a U.S. port of entry. A U.S. custom and Border Protection officer will examine the following documents:

  • Passport
  • Valid visa that reflects your intended academic activities in the US
  • Immigration documents (I-20)

You may also need to present some or all of the documents required to apply for your visa:

  • Letter of admission
  • Proof of F1 SEVIS fee payment
  • Original financial documents

A USCBP officer will ask you a few questions about why you're traveling to the U.S. Provided that you present the proper documents and the officer is satisfied with your answers, the office will "admit" you to the U.S. in a particular visa classification. The officer will update your U.S. Department of Homeland Security entry record electronically and will stamp your passport to reflect the day you entered the U.S., your immigration status, and expiration date of this status.

When you leave the inspection area, make sure you have all of your immigration documents in your possession.

Wichita Airport Arrival Information

Our free airport pickup service is available for incoming students. Please note that there is limited availability for the free airport pickup service and the submission of a pickup request cannot guarantee availability. Airport pickup requests must be submitted at least 48 hours in advance of your requested pickup time. If free airport pickup cannot be arranged, there are many options of ground transportation at the Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport. You may choose to take a taxi or Uber/Lyft to the University, taxi fare is approximately US$30. For details of airport amenities and ground transportation options, please visit flywichita.com.

If you arrive late in the day and did not arrange airport pickup, you may have to stay in a hotel for one night at your own expense. There are many hotels near the airport that cost approximately $65-$125 per night.

Graduate Assistant Arrival Dates

Those students who are starting a graduate assistantship, and do not currently have a social security number, should plan to arrive at least 21 days prior to the start of term, at minimum. The process for receiving a social security number and card takes time, and earlier arrival will assist in ensuring you are able to begin the assistantship on the appointment start date.

Description Dates
Recommended Dates of Arrival to Wichita January 11-12, 2027
Earliest date allowed to enter U.S. Monday, December 14, 2026
Last date allowed to enter U.S. (I-20 start date)
The Graduate School does not permit late arrivals		 Wednesday, January 13, 2027
First day of classes Tuesday, January 19, 2027

Please note: The University is closed for the last two weeks in December for the Holiday Break and Martin Luther King Day in January.

Arriving past the start date on your I-20

The WSU Graduate School does not permit late arrivals. You are required to be here by the start date on your I-20. Please plan your travel accordingly.

Requesting readmission / deferral for a different semester

TO REQUEST READMISSION* / DEFERRAL FOR A DIFFERENT SEMESTER: Deferral requests will be available starting December 1st.

If you would like to request readmission for a different semester, please complete the online form to request readmission in your application portal. You may discard your old I-20 since it will automatically be cancelled in SEVIS. If you are accepted for readmission to a future term, we will send you a new I-20 to apply for a visa. Students who HAVE NOT previously requested readmission will general be granted readmission if all documents are still current. If you have previously been readmitted, it is likely you will be asked to reapply so that your documents can be re-evaluated by the department. * Readmission to all programs is by permission of the admitting program. Not all programs permit deferral of your admission.

Please note: Deferral fee must be paid in order to have your request processed and new I-20 sent. The fee is $75.

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