Columbia University in the City of New York International Affairs Office 630 litest 1686 Street, Box 578 Telephone: (212) 305-5455 New York, NY 10032 Far: (212) 305-5208 USA *(courier address below) [email protected] APPLICATION FOR VISA CERTIFICATE If you plan to enroll at Columbia University as a full-time international student you need a student visa. Upon satisfactory completion and submission of the Application for Visa Certificate, AVC (and supporting documentation), the 1AO will prepare and mail the Form 1.20 to you. You will need the Form 1-20 to apply at a U.S. Consulate for the F-I student visa. You may fax your application and supporting documents, or send the application by courier (please use the courier-only address below). Your accompanying spouse and children may apply for F-2 entry visas, as dependents of the F-I visa holder, if funding to meet additional expenses is documented. If you are requesting a J-1 student visa please contact the IAO for additional information. J-I student visas require funding from the student's home country government, the U.S. government, or an international organization. If you are currently in the U.S. and you need to apply for a transfer or a change of status please contact the IAO. Please call, or email the IAO for specific time limitations and instructions related to transfer, or change of status applications. If you are transferring to CU, your current visa sponsor (university) must complete a transfer form before you submit the AVC. Please contact the IAO to obtain the transfer form. The AVC begins with an introduction of terms relevant to the student visa and focuses on matters of particular concern to incoming students such as: requirements and procedures necessary to qualify for the Form I-20, obtaining an F-I entry visa, restrictions on foreign exchange transactions, guidance on what to expect when you apply for an entry visa, and information particular to Canadian Nationals. Please rea