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Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS): Overview

Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) Travel Requirements

The rules and regulations of the U.S. Department of State require all non-U.S. students attending Walden residencies/skills labs/pre-practicum/BAYR events in the United States to obtain a Form 1-20 from Walden University for entry into the United States.

Students who are citizens of Visa Exempt countries, Canada and Bermuda, do not have to apply for a separate visa; however, these students must obtain an I-20 and pay the SEVIS fee. Students from all other countries, including visa waiver countries, must also obtain an F-1 student visa for entry into the United States to attend Walden residencies/skills labs/pre-practicum/BAYR events.

Important: B-visa and ESTA visa waivers do not permit academic study. Students who enter the U.S. on the B-visa/ESTA visitor and business class will not be allowed to attend the residency. There are no exceptions to this policy.

 

Exception for Optional Capstone Intensive Retreats: The F-1 student visa can only be used to enter the United States for a required Walden academic residency. To enter the U.S. for any other reason, including to attend an optional Walden capstone intensive retreat, a different visa type must be used.

 

To enter the United States on student status for your required academic residency(ies) as you pass through U.S. Immigration and Customs, please be sure to have your:

  • Current passport
  • F-1 visa (not required for citizens of Canada or Bermuda)
  • Form I-20                                   
  • Receipt from your SEVIS fee payment

Walden International Student Travel to the United States for Required Program Residencies/Skills Labs/Pre-Practicum/BAYR Events

Walden University is not authorized to grant student visas for study in the United States. However, international students may apply for individual visas for attendance at required program residencies/skills labs/pre-practicum/BAYR events in the United States. The recently issued Executive Order entitled “Protecting the Nation from Terrorist Entry into the United States" addresses standards for immigrant, nonimmigrant, and refugee entry into the United States from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Yemen, Chad, North Korea and Venezuela (certain government officials). The U.S. Supreme Court has allowed this version of the Executive Order to go into effect immediately which could impact a student traveling from these countries to a Walden residencies/skills labs/pre-practicum/BAYR events in the United States. With the exception of nationals of North Korea and Syria, students entering the United States on F Visas may be exempt from the ban. As such, Walden has closed enrollment to prospective students from North Korea and Syria into programs requiring residencies/skills labs/pre-practicum/BAYR events or face-to-face components. As the requirements of the Executive Order are subject to change, there is no guarantee that students from any of the banned countries will be able to enter the United States for residencies/skills labs/pre-practicum/BAYR events.

Walden Student Success Advisors can provide information regarding the scheduling and locations of program residencies/skills labs/pre-practicum/BAYR events. Affected students are advised to contact immigration resources in their area for specific information on how the Executive Order may apply to their individual situation.