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Next steps for admitted international students

Congratulations on your acceptance to Metro State! Now that you have been admitted to our university you will need to prepare for your educational journey in the U.S.

After you receive your letter of admission from Metro State, please complete the following steps:

  • Your admission letter included a link so that you may submit your I-20 Request and upload your financial documentation.
  • This request may only be completed AFTER you have been admitted to Metro State. Forms submitted prior to admission will not be processed.
  • To log into the site you will use your StarID and password
  • International students are responsible for all educational and personal expenses for the duration of their F-1 status at Metro State. To issue an I-20, which is needed to obtain an F-1 student visa, Metro State is required by the U.S. government to maintain records that you have the funds necessary to cover your tuition, fees, and living expenses for at least your first year of study. If you bring your spouse or other dependents with you to the U.S. you must also demonstrate that you have the funds necessary to cover those costs.
  • Proof of Financial Responsibility
  • Source of Funds
    • Bank statements must be originals, photocopies, scanned copies or faxed documents printed on bank letterhead and certified with the bank’s stamp or seal. We reserve the right to verify authenticity.
    • Bank statements must be dated within 6 months from the application date.
    • If English is not the language in which the bank documents are issued, the bank documents must be accompanied by a certified, literal English translation.
  • Financial Letter of Support
    • Use this template for non-U.S. citizen/permanent resident, written in English, indicating their willingness to support your financial obligations.
  • Affidavit of Support
  • Complete this form if your financial sponsor is a U.S. citizen/permanent resident.
  • Take a photo of your passport ID page that clearly shows your full name, birth date and photo. If there is glare on your photo, please retake the photo until all information is legible.
  • Save the photo as a .jpg and upload it.
  • Once you receive your I-20, please review the spelling and order of your name and confirm that is matches exactly how your name is written at the bottom of the identity page in your passport.
  • If everything is correct, sign and date your name on the bottom of your I-20.
  • New students are required to pay the I-901 Fee that is charged by the Department of Homeland Security before you can apply for your F-1 visa or enter the U.S.
    • Please print out a copy of your receipt and keep with your I-20.
  • In order to schedule a visa appointment, your will need to complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (DS-160)
  • When completing your visa application, write your legal name exactly as it is printed in your passport and provide complete and truthful information throughout your application. If you do not have housing yet in the U.S. you can use ISS’s address (700 East Seventh Street, Saint Paul, MN 55106).
  • You should plan to apply for a visa at the U.S. embassy/consulate that is closest to where you live. This website also includes specific instructions for scheduling an appointment.
  • We recommend scheduling your appointment as soon as possible after you receive your I-20. You will need to determine the estimated wait time for obtaining a visa at your local embassy or consulate.
    • If you are not able to schedule a visa appointment before the beginning of the semester, you will need to speak to ISS about deferring your program to the next semester.
  • For your visa interview, you will need to prepare the following:
    • Valid passport
    • I-20
    • Admission Letter
    • Proof of Financial Support (same as you used to obtain your I-20)
    • Receipt of SEVIS I-901 Fee payment
    • Visa application form (available from the U.S. embassy/consulate
    • Any documents requested by the embassy/consulate
  • The visa interview will be a very brief meeting with a consular officer. Be prepared to explain why you want to study at Metro State, how you are planning to pay for your stay, and what your plans might be after you graduate. Always answer truthfully!
  • If you have questions or concerns before the visa interview, we recommend that you contact the EducationUSA office closest to you.
  • Once you receive your F-1 visa, check the accuracy of the information on it. Contact the U.S. embassy or consulate if you find a mistake.
  • Some visa applicants are subject to additional screening that will delay the issuance of the visa. The is NOT always a final denial. Most applicants who are subject to administrative processing or a security clearance check will receive their visa within a few months. There is nothing you nor ISS can do to prevent nor speed up the process.
  • You may enter the U.S. no more than 30 days before the program start date listed on the first page of your I-20.
  • The closest airport to our campus is the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport.
  • Plan and pack your luggage early. Check your airline's luggage restrictions to make sure your bags are not overweight and that you have the correct amount of luggage pieces.
  • For your carry-on bag we recommend you pack your I-20, passport with visa, boarding pass(es), a change of clothing, something to read, snacks, headphones, toothbrush/toothpaste, and important medications.
  • Keep with you at all times:
    • Passport (keep a photo copy in your carry-on luggage)
    • I-20 (keep an additional photo copy in your carry-on luggage)
    • Acceptance Letter
    • Airline boarding pass(es)
    • Emergency contact information (your family, Metro State emergency phone numbers, etc.)
    • Prescriptions
    • U.S. Currency to pay for initial expenses; bank draft account information and/or credit card for tuition, fees, housing payments, etc.
      • If you choose to bring large amounts of money with you, we recommend that you carry traveler's checks rather than cash. Do not carry money in your luggage; keep it on your person at all times. 
  • Check in with your airline 72 hours prior to departure, 24 hours prior to departure, and just before leaving for your airport.
  • There are a variety of transportation options from the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport to campus.
  • Buses: City bus service is provided by Metro Transit. For bus fare and route information, call the 24-hour automated system at 612.341.4287.
  • Taxis: Taxi service is available for approximately $40-$50. A $6.25 fare will be displayed on the Taxicab meter when you start your trip. This fee includes a $2.50 "flag drop" fee and a $3.75 airport access fee. Use taxis and shuttle services that have the name of the company clearly marked.
  • App-based Ride Services: Uber, Lyft, or other app-based ride services pick up on Level 2 of the Green Parking Ramp, above the Ground Transportation Center.
    • Lyft and Uber cost around $20 on average from MSP to campus, but fares increase when there is high demand. Get an estimate for your trip from Uber or Lyft.
  • Learn more about Minnesota!
  • Meet Minneapolis
  • Visit St. Paul
  • Although Metro State does not offer traditional on-campus housing, our Resource Center can get students connected to community agencies that can help with locating affordable housing options.
  • Housing Link: offers information regarding affordable and public housing options. Also provides free resources, tips, and handouts to help renters when searching for affordable housing.  
  • Housing Benefits 101: not sure where to start in your housing search, try this website and use the many tools available to help you find a safe and affordable housing option.