Urgent need: The number of students turning to the Purple Apron Food Pantry has doubled this semester—and demand is expected to double again. Help ensure no Hunter student goes hungry while pursuing their goals. Give to the Purple Apron Food Pantry.

Visas

photo of visa passport book

Application Deadlines for SEVIS I-20 & DS-2019

SEVIS I-20
Filling For I-20   Application Filing Period  Application Deadline 
Fall students applying for an F-1 Visa  January 15 – June 29  June 30 
Spring students applying for an F-1 Visa  September 15 – November 29 November 30 
Transferring Fall students with active F-1 status  January 15 – August 14 August 15 
Transferring Spring students with active F-1 status  September 15 – January 14 January 15 
Students requesting a Change of Status to F-1
* Change of status applications must be submitted prior to the expiration date of your current status.		 Anytime  

Anytime

 
Reinstatement
*Only for students who have fallen out of F-1 status for 5 months or less 		 Anytime Anytime 
DS-2019
Filing for DS-2019   Application Filing Period  Application Deadline 
Fall J-1 & Academic Year (AY) students February 15 – April 30   May 1 

 
Spring J-1 Students September 15 – October 31 November 1 

* To ensure processing, all I-20 and DS-2019 requests must be submitted by the application deadline. Any requests received after the deadline are considered late and are not guaranteed for review or approval.

Visa Renewal Comparison Chart

Travel Documents Required
While on OPT
F-1 Visa Renewal
F-1 Status Students Applying for Visa
Explanation
Current Passport
✓
✓
✓
Must be valid for at least 6 months or more after the date of your entry.
Bank Statements
✓
✓
✓
Bank statements from the most recent three months (savings and/or checking accounts).

*The most current statement must clearly show the total account balance in U.S. dollars (USD).
I-20 signed by DSO for travel
✓
✓
✓
Located on page 2 of your FORM ISSUE REASON - CONTINUED ATTENDANCE I-20. Signatures are valid for multiple entries up to 12 months from the issued date on page 2 of the I-20. Based on that information, let us know if you need a new signature.
I-797 Receipt
✓
Carry your I-797 notice of action receipt for OPT.
College TranscriptRecommended
✓
✓
You can download a copy of your unofficial transcript in CUNYfirst located in the Graduation and Transcript tile in your Student Center.
EAD Card
✓
You need to carry your physical EAD card with you.
Employment Letter
✓
Employment letter. If you are already employed and recent pay stubs.

Transfering Schools

F-1 students transferring from a U.S. SEVIS-approved school to Hunter College must submit their Hunter College acceptance letter and page 10 of the Transfer of SEVIS I-20 Recommendation Form to their current DSO, after completing and signing the student portion of the form. In the body of the email to your DSO, you must also indicate the date you would like your SEVIS I-20 released to Hunter. Please note that all transfer students are required to provide financial documents every time they transfer from one school to another—even if the transfer is between two CUNY schools.

Hunter College SEVIS School Code: NYC214F00812008

Additional information about transferring your SEVIS I-20 can be found in the Certificate of Eligibility for Admitted Undergraduate Students and for Admitted Graduate Students.

How to Notify ISO of Your Transfer

To notify the International Students Office (ISO) of your F-1 transfer to Hunter College, you must upload all required documents directly to the ISO I-20 form. You must also complete the U.S. Contact Information Form. 

Be sure to include the following attachments: 

  • Passport biographical page (with expiration date) 
  • Commitment deposit fee receipt or waiver 
  • F-1 visa page or F-1 status approval sheet 
  • All previous I-20s (pages 1 and 2) 

Transferring While On OPT

You must contact your current DSO, attach your Hunter College acceptance letter, and specify in your email the exact date you want your I-20 released to Hunter College. Hunter College cannot provide a timeline for when you will receive your I-20 until all financial documents (from you and/or your sponsor) and the required documents listed below have been submitted and reviewed.

If you wish to defer your admission until after your OPT has ended, you must transfer your I-20 to Hunter College within 60 days of your OPT expiration date. Please note, this transfer must be completed no later than 60 days after your OPT has expired. 

To notify the ISO of your transfer to Hunter College, you must upload all required documents directly to the ISO I-20 form. You must also complete the U.S. Contact Information Form.

Be sure to include the following attachments:

  • Hunter College acceptance letter
  • Passport biographical page (with expiration date)
  • Commitment deposit fee receipt or waiver
  • F-1 visa page or F-1 status approval sheet
  • All previous I-20s (pages 1 and 2)
  • Copies of the Front & Back of Your EAD card

*If your EAD card for OPT is not yet expired, you must stop working on the release date that you provided to your DSO to transfer your SEVIS information electronically to Hunter. Failure to stop working on the day of your release date is a violation of your F-1 status.

Frequently Asked Questions

For general questions about F-1 and J-1 Visas, please review the International Students FAQ page.

Visit International Students FAQ