Readmitted International Students

Welcome back to Gallaudet University, and greetings from International Affairs! On this page, you will find information for your contact person, who will assist you with the application process for readmission to Gallaudet University.

Please read through and follow the steps for readmission below. Included are instructions on how to complete your application and forms. It is important that you read all the directions carefully.

Undergraduate Readmission Information

• Your contact person: Elice Patterson, Registrar
• Email:Contact

International Transfer Information

• Your contact person: Laura Willey-Saunders, Transfer/Articulation Coordinator
• Email: https://gallaudet.edu/emailto/?laura.willey-saunders
• Website: Transfer Credits

Step One: Application and Readmission

To apply for Gallaudet as an undergraduate readmitted student, read this information from the Registrar’s Office.

Step Two: Certification of Finances Form

Upon acceptance to Gallaudet University as a readmitted international student, you are required to complete one of these forms:

• 2020-2021 Certification of Finances Form – Undergraduate Program – PDF
• 2020-2021 Certification of Finances Form – Graduate School – PDF

The Certification of Finances Form helps the University obtain complete and accurate information about the funds available to readmitted international students who want to study in the United States.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations require that all international applicants or readmitted international students provide evidence of adequate financial support before they may obtain a Form I-20. You are required to submit both the complete Certification of Finances Form and original, official financial document(s) that show you have sufficient funds to pay for University expenses, including tuition, books, fees, supplies, insurance, and living expenses. If your Certificate of Finances Form is not completed or received, you will not receive the Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 Form for F1).

Step Three: Form I-20

Once your Certification of Finances Form is completed and approved, International Student Services will send you a Form I-20, which will be needed for you to obtain a visa.

This immigration document form tells the U.S. government that you are eligible for F-1 Student visa status. It certifies that:

• You are or expect to be a “bona fide” student.
• You meet the admissions requirements.
• You will pursue a full course of study.
• You have shown that you have sufficient funds to pay for university expenses, including tuition, books, fees, supplies, insurance, and living expenses, without working illegally or suffering from poverty.

Some international students do not need an I-20:

• J-1 students need Form DS-2019 and should contact International Student Services.
• B Visitors and F-2 dependents must obtain an I-20 Form and apply for a change of status to F-1 student to pursue a course of study that is not vocational or recreational in nature.
• If you are in another non-immigrant status in the United States, you don’t need a Form I-20. Send photocopies of your current visa, passport, both sides of the I-94, and your immigration status with your application.
• Dependent children in E, H, I, J, L, M, N, O, P, R or S status need to change that status after their 21st birthday or if they marry.
• If you are a permanent resident, refugee or person with political asylum status, send copies of your immigration documents with your application.
• If you are transferring from a U.S. college or university, send photocopies of your current visa, passport, both sides of the I-94, and the Form I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (F-1) status with your application.

Step Four: SEVIS Fee

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security requires payment of $200 as a one-time fee, covering operational costs of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).

Students or exchange visitors who are issued an initial Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 must pay this fee before going to the U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate in your country.

Step Five: Student Visa

After receiving your acceptance letter from Gallaudet, you must apply at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your country for the student visa. You will be responsible for making an appointment with a consulate or embassy nearest your place of residence after receiving the I-20 with the SEVIS so you can receive the F-1 student visa.

The F-1 visa is the most often used visa by international students to study at an accredited U.S. college, university, or English-language institute. Students on F-1 visas come to the United States for a full degree program.

It is important to remember that acceptance to Gallaudet University does not guarantee issuance of the student visa. The U.S. Consulate or Embassy will have the final decision on whether to grant the student visa. When meeting with a U.S. consular official abroad, you will be expected to present the Form I-20 with your SEVIS Fee receipt, your Gallaudet letter of acceptance, and proof of financial support.

Canadian students: A Canadian citizen does not need a visa for entering the United States as a student. At the border-crossing point, you will have to present to the U.S. Immigration Officer your passport, the Form I-20, your SEVIS Fee receipt, your admission letter from Gallaudet, and financial support documents.

Please note that, if you have a valid student visa and have left school before, please check with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your country before you depart for the United States. The U.S. Department of State has more information regarding validity of student visas subsequent to a break in studies.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas.html immigration direct.

Please note that this information is provided as a guide only and is not considered a binding contract by the University. We hope you will soon join our proud and strong community again. Best of luck!