Visa processing times vary widely by consulate, and by whether or not a security clearance must be requested. The general rule is to apply for the visa as soon as possible. However, the earliest that an F-1 visa can be granted is one hundred and twenty (120) days before the reporting date listed on the Form I-20. Students can enter the U.S. no earlier than thirty (30) days before the I-20 report date. Please contact the US embassy or consulate in your home country for information regarding the U.S. visa application requirements and process before you actually go for the visa interview.

All new F-1 students are required to pay a SEVIS I-901 fee of $200 before the visa interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country. Several payment options are available. The most convenient one is to pay on-line by using a credit card. Please visit the SEVIS I-901 fee payment website at www.fmjfee.com and the SEVP website at www.ice.gov/sevis to learn more about the payment option and other related information regarding the SEVIS I-901 fee. When entering the U.S., you will be required to present to the immigration officer the payment receipt of the SEVIS I-901 fee in addition to your passport and I-20. Therefore, make sure that you carry these three documents with you. Do not pack these documents in your check-in luggage.

After receiving the I-20 A-B form, the student should read through the entire document carefully, and then sign the I-20 on Page 1. By signing the I-20, the student agrees to comply with all the terms and conditions as specified on Page 2 of the I-20. When applying for the visa to the U.S., you need to visit the American consulate or embassy with the following documents:
1.  I-20 A-B
2.  Valid passport
3.  Financial documents
4.  Letter of admission from school
5.  SEVIS I-901 fee receipt
 
When the visa is granted, it is stamped onto the passport, indicating where the visa was issued, the date the visa was issued, the date the visa will expire, the number of entries, the type of visa, and the visa number. When you collect your passport with the visa from the American embassy, you will also be given a sealed envelope containing all pages of the I-20.

Prepare for your visa interview 
To Successfully pass the visa interview and recieve the F-1 visa, it is imperative that you are well prepared. The interview lasts only about 3 to 5 minutes. During this short period of time, you need to clearly demonstrate the following key points:
1.  You have a good understanding of Madonna University, the program you are admitted into, and a
     clear purpose for your study
2.  You have sufficient funding for your study in the United States for at least one Year
3.  You have a strong tie to your home country and you intend to return to your home country after
     completing your study in the United States.
 
To get detailed information about the F-1 visa, visit the following links posted by the U.S. Depatement of States: 
•  General information about studying in the U.S.: StudyInTheStates.dhs.gov
•  General information about visas to the U.S.: travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html
•  Information about F-1 student visa: travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1268.html
•  Information about visa denial: www.travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/denials/denials_1361.html
  
Initial Entry to the U.S.
On the flight to the United States, you will be given an I-94 to complete. It includes three sections: the instructions, the arrival record card, and the departure record card.
At the port of entry, you present to the immigration officer the following documents:
1.  A valid passport with a valid visa
2.  Sealed envelope with I-20 A-B
3.  Completed I-94 (all three sections)
4.  SEVIS I-901 fee receipt
5.  Any other requested information such as financial documents or MU admission letter

After examining all the documents, the immigration officer will enter all relevant data into the SEVIS system and return your valid passport with valid visa and an INS entry stamp. He will also return the departure record card with an entry stamp (usually stapled in the passport).

Upon arriving in the United States, you should report to the International Students Office within 30 days of arriving or prior to the beginning of the semester, whichever date occurs first. The International Students Office is located in Room 1207 in the Academic Building. You should submit several documents to International Students Office. These documents include:
1.  A copy of passport and visa
2.  A copy of I-94
3.  A copy of stamped I-20
4.  Emergency contact information

Undergraduate international students with no residence in the U.S. are required to live on campus during the first semester of the study. Graduate international students are strongly encouraged to live on campus, also, because no public transportation is available in Livonia. For more information about policies and contracts visit the Residence Hall.
 
Reserve your room by completing the following steps:

• Complete the Residence Hall Contract.
• Include a deposit of $175, which includes $75 for room reservation and $100 for room damage deposit.
  • The deposit can be made by check, money order, online payment, or wire transfer. (See Payment Method.) Make the check or money order payable to Madonna University. Please note that no room will be reserved until the deposite is received by the Student Accounts Office.
  • The Room deposit will be applied to your room payment and is non-refundable if you do not come to campus after receiving your visa.
• Mail in your contract and payment to:
  Madonna University Student Accounts
  Attn. Ms. Peggy Finnigan-Jessup
  36600 Schoolcraft Road
  Livonia, MI 48150-1176, USA
• Notify the Residence Hall of your expected arrival date and time or if you need to arrive on campus earlier then the scheduled move-in date. Contact Ms. Tanisha McIntosh, Director of Residence Life, at 734-432-5755 or tmcintosh@madonna.edu.
• Review the "What to Bring to the Residence Hall" list at the end of the Welcome Booklet, and bring necessary items with you for comfortable living on campus.

The English placement test is required for students who do not meet the minimum English proficiency requirement (TOEFL, IELTS). The English placement examination tests your ability in grammar, reading, vocabulary, listening, speaking, and writing. It takes approximately 4.5 hours to complete. To get information about the ESL program or to reserve for the test, contact Ms. Hadeel Betti, Coordinator, ESL program, hbetti@madonna.edu or 734-432-5397.

All new international students to Madonna University are required to attend the international student orientation. To reserve your attendence, contact Ms. Amy Dickerson at aldickerson@madonna.edu or 734-432-5763.

Airport pickup service at the Detroit Metro Airport will be provided for international students who are new to Madonna university. This service is available between 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. for two weeks, including the week before the semester starts and the first week of the semester. To reserve for this service, contact Ms. Amy Dickerson at aldickerson@madonna.edu or 734-432-5763.
 
Taxi Service between Detroit Metropolitan Airport and Madonna University
If you prefer not to use the airport pickup service provided by Madonna University or if the pickup service is not available during your arrival time, please follow the instructions listed below to get to Madonna University and the Residence Hall.

• When you arrive at the airport (Detroit Metropolitan Airport, Domestic or International Terminals), follow the sign "Ground Transportation" to the second floor, go across the bridge and then down to the first floor.
• You will find two taxi services:
  Metro Airport Taxi
  Checker Sedan
  
  The cost from the airport to Madonna University is a bout $50 by Metro Airport Taxi and about $65 by Checker Sedan. The taxi Service is available 24 hours a day.


• Tell the Taxi Driver, Madonna University is on I-96 and Levan. The address of Madonna University is 36600 Schoolcraft Rd., Livonia. The address for the Residence Hall is 14221 Levan Rd., Livonia, Michigan, 48154.

If you are arriving within normal business hours, call the Residence Hall at 734-432-5557 to let us know that you are on your way from the airport. Outside normal business hours call Public Safety at 734-432-5442.

You must report to the Universiy within 30 days before the beginning of the semester. Upon arriving on campus, visit the following offices to complete your registration and tuition payment process.

1. International Students Office, Room 1207, 734-432-5791
   Bring your passport, I-20 and I-94 when visiting the office, an appointment is necessary.
   You will receive an International Student Handbook and F-1 student visa guidelines.
2. Office of ESL Program, Room 2427, 734-432-5397
   Required for students who do not meet the minimum English proficiency scores (TOEFL, IELTS, etc) admission status.
   You will take the English Placement Test to determine your English proficiency level, an appointment is necessary. Based on the test result, you may be required to take ESL classes. For English proficiency requirements refer to the ESL Program Specifics.
3. Department of Your Field of Study
   For students who have met the ESL requirements
   You will discuss your plan of study with an advisor in the department, an appointment is necessary.
4. Registration Office, Room 2003, 734-432-2003
   You will register for classes.
5. Student Accounts Office, Room 2005, 734-432-5600
   You will submit tuition payment. Please be sure that sufficient funding is available for such payments upon your arrival on campus.

Tuition and fees are payable in U.S. currency by cash, money order, check, e-check, wire transfer, or credit card.
 
Payment by Check: Make the check Payable to Madonna University and send the check to the following address. Make sure to include the student's name on the check.
Madonna University
Attn: Student Accounts Office
36600 Schoolcraft Road
Livonia, MI 48150-1176, USA

Payment by Wire Transfer: Use the following bank information. Make sure to include the student's name on the wire transfer receipt.

• Go to CASHNet
• From the list of optional payments, click Real-Time Balance or Tuition Payment for current tuition payments, click the Select button on the right side of the line. If choosing the Real-Time Balance and you do not want to pay the full amount listed with that option, the amount can be changed on the next page prior to entering your payment information.
• After you choose your item/s to pay, you will be prompted for an ID and password or you can create a user ID and Password.
• Students can then follow the directions from there to enter the amount, account information,etc.

All international students at Madonna University are required to carry catastrophic health insurance that is valid in the United States. If you would like to use a plan from your home country to meet the medical insurance coverage requirement, please send proof of coverage, in English, via fax
734-432-5344 to the University's Student Accounts Office and send an email to sa@madonna.edu to confirm that the fax has been sent. Such proof and notice must reach the Students Account Office no later than Friday of the first week of classes. Without such proof, you must purchase student insurance through Madonna University (2012-2013 cost: $992 per year for students under age 26, $1,348 per year for students 26 years of age and over).
 
Your account will be charged automatically for the insurance cost if no proof of medical insurance is received by the Student Accounts Office by the deadline. After the deadline, no credit for health insurance may be processed.

Employment

According to Immigration rules, students may seek employment only on campus. On-campus employment is limited and not all students can find a job. Without employment, you cannot obtain a social security number (SSN). You may find it difficult to obtain a car or apartment without a SSN. Madonna University is not able to provide assistance for those seeking off-campus housing.

Please bring all the items which are listed below. Be sure your official papers are in order, organized, and filed together in a secure place, such as a small folder or carry-on luggage. Do not place these in your check-in luggage.

1. Passport: It must be valid for six months beyond your intended stay in the United States. It can be revalidated at your Consulate in the United States, if necessary (the passport should be carried with you).
2. Form I-20 AB: This is the Certificate for Non-Immigrant (F-1) Student Status you received from the Admission Office. You will present this at your Port-of-Entry. You should also have proof of sufficient funds (one year’s expenses).
3. Medical Records: You must be properly immunized before you leave; bring your history of immunization (immunization record), medical records, and documentation of special conditions with you. Also bring a second pair of eye glasses and any necessary prescription medication.
4. Health Insurance: There are two options to purchase health insurance. You may purchase a policy from a health insurance company in your native country and show proof at orientation. Otherwise, you may purchase the university student policy at orientation.
5. Transcripts: If you are bringing final academic transcripts, make sure you have an English translation of notarized and authentic copies. We recommend you also bring course descriptions or syllabi, if possible.
6. International Driver’s License: You must possess a valid driver’s license, either international or American, in order to drive in the United States.
7. Second Identification: Bring a second document which identifies who you are, if possible. The driver’s license noted above is a good example, a photo ID would be recommended.

Bring or Purchase in the U.S.:

• Pillow, blanket, bedspread, sheets, pillowcase (extra long twin bed)
• Towels, toiletries
• Desk lamp, desk organizer
• Wastebasket
• Drawer liner
• Personal items (pictures, posters, etc)
• White putty (sticky tack) to hang items on wall
• Surge protector
• Sewing kit
• Umbrella, raincoat
• Cleaning supplies
• Broom or small vacuum
• Laundry basket, detergent, starch, iron
• Clothes hangers
• Refrigerator (must fit our guidelines)
• Dishes, food storage containers, can opener
• Flip Flops for shower
• Fan
• Flashlight
• Personal radio, stereo with headphones
• TV and cable cord
• Alarm clock
• Small first aid kit (bandages, aspirin, cotton balls, etc)
• An open mind and sense of adventure

Do NOT Bring:

• Microwaves
• Appliances with exposed heating elements
• Large stereo systems
• Halogen lamps
• Candles or incense
• Firearms or any other weapons
• Double-sided tape to hang items on surface
• Alcoholic beverage (We are a dry campus.)
• Alcoholic beverage containers used as decoration

For more information about rules and regulations visit the Residence Hall.