F-1 Student Visa

As of September 15, 2026, F-1 Students are admitted for a fixed period (up to 4 years) instead of the open-ended Duration of Status. Students now have an Admit Until Date (AUD), which can be found on your I-94 Form, and marks when your authorized stay ends.

If students need more time, they must apply for an Extension of Stay directly with the United States Citzenship and Immigration Services.

Please contact the Director of International Admissions at 734-432-5791 / internationaladmissions@madonna.edu. 

Canadian F-1

Non-Canadian F-1

F-1 Transfer Student

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.

Canadian F-1
All new F-1 students from Canada are required to pay a SEVIS I-901 fee of $350 before the visa interview at the U.S. embassy in Canada or at the port of entry in the United States. Several payment options are available; the most convenient one is to pay online by using a credit card. Visit the SEVIS I-901 fee payment website and the SEVP website to learn more about the payment option and other related information. When entering the U.S., you are 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 luggage.

Non-Canadian F-1
All new F-1 students are required to pay a SEVIS I-901 fee of $350 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 and the SEVP website 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.

F-1 Transfer Student
After receiving confirmation of your acceptance to Madonna University, contact the International Students Office at your current school to request a SEVIS data release to Madonna University. You need to present to your current school (transfer-out school) a copy of your admission letter from Madonna University and a copy of the Transfer Release Form. After the Transfer Release Form is completed by your current school, mail or fax (734-432-5393) the completed form to the International Students Office at Madonna University (transfer-in school). A new I-20 from Madonna University will be issued for you after we receive your SEVIS data from the transfer-out school.

Download the Transfer Release Form.

Canadian F-1
After receiving the I-20 A-B form, students should read through the entire document carefully and then sign the I-20 on Page 1. By signing the I-20, students agree to comply with all the terms and documents as specified on Page 2 of the I-20.

Present Canadian identification (birth certificate, driver's license, picture identification or passport) and I-20 at the port of entry. No U.S. visa is necessary. You are required to pay SEVIS I-901 fee of $350 or show proof of payment. After processing, an I-94 card (entry or exit card) will be issued for you. You can enter the U.S. no more than 30 days before the I-20 report date. A valid passport and an F-1 student visa is required for permanent residents of Canada to enter the U.S.

Non-Canadian F-1
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 receive 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. Department of States: 

• General information about studying in the U.S.:
  • https://StudyInTheStates.dhs.gov 
• General information about visas to the U.S.:
  • https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en.html 
• Information about F-1 student visa:
  
  • https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study.html 
  • https://visaguide.world/us-visa/nonimmigrant/study-exchange-visas/f1/ 
• Information about visa denial:
  • https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/general/denials.html 

Initial Entry to the U.S.
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. SEVIS I-901 fee receipt
4. 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. As of September 15, 2026, you will also be issued a fixed Admit Until Date (AUD) at this time, rather than open ended Duration of Status. 

Upon arriving in the United States, you should report to the Admission Office at Madonna University within 30 days of arriving or prior to the beginning of the semester, whichever date occurs first. You should submit several documents to Admission Office. These documents include:

1. A copy of passport and visa
2. A copy of stamped I-20
3. Emergency contact information
4. F-1 Student Responsibility Checklist
5. Change of address form

International students in the undergraduate programs and in the ESL program are required to live on campus during the first year of the study. Graduate international students are strongly encouraged to live on campus, also, because no public transportation is available in Livonia. The information about the Residence Hall, its policies and contract, can be found at Living on Campus Information

Reserve a room in the Residence Hall by completing the following steps:

• Complete the Residence Hall Contract. A link to the residence hall contract can be found on the Residence Hall page.
• Include a deposit of $175.00, which includes $75.00 for room reservation and $100 for room damage deposit.
  • The deposit can be made by check, money order, pay online, or wire transfer (see Payment Method).
  • Make the check or money order payable to "Madonna University." 
    Please note that no room is reserved until the deposit 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.
  • Should your visa be denied, the room deposit will be reimbursed in full. (Please contact the International Students Office)
• Mail your contract and payment to:
  Madonna University
  Student Accounts
  36600 Schoolcraft Road
  Livonia, Michigan 48150-1176
  USA
• Notify the Residence Hall of your expected arrival date and time, or if you need to arrive on campus earlier than the scheduled move-in date. Tel: (734) 432-5755 Email: reslife@madonna.edu. 
• Review the "What to Bring to the Residence Hall" list at the end of this 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 reserve a seat for the English Placement Test (EPT), please complete the International Student Arrival Form. For more information about the ESL program or placement test, please contact Ms. Hadeel Betti, Coordinator, ESL Program at 734-432-5397 or hbetti@madonna.edu.

All new international students to Madonna University are required to attend the international student orientation. To reserve your attendance please fill out the Orientation RSVP form. For more information, please contact International Admissions at internationaladmissions@madonna.edu or 734-432-5791.

Airport Pick-up Service
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., starting the Residence Hall early move-in date through the orientation week. To reserve this service, please complete the International Student Arrival Form. For more information, please contact International Admissions at internationaladmissions@madonna.edu or 734-432-5791.

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
  Check Sedan
• The cost from the airport to Madonna University is about $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 University 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. Admission Office, Room 1001B, 734-432-5791
   Bring your passport and I-20 when visiting the office, an appointment is necessary. You will receive 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, MELAB, 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. Registrars 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.

All international students are required to remit payment according to the payment schedule indicated in the class schedule book. New international students should be prepared to submit full payment for tuition and room and board (if applicable) at the time of registration. If a $2,500 deposit is submitted, students may participate in a multiple payment plan.

All international students at Madonna University are required to carry catastrophic health insurance that is purchased in the United States during their entire stay in the United States, including OPT period. Contact International Admissions at internationaladmissions@madonna.edu, for detailed information of medical insurance requirements and to submit the proof of medical insurance upon arrival on campus.

The medical insurance coverage needs to have the following minimum benefits:

• Medical benefit of at least $100,000 per accident or illness;
• Repatriation of remains in the amount of $25,000;
• Expenses associated with the medical evacuation of the international student to his or her home country in the amount of $50,000;
• A deductible not exceed $500 per accident or illness.

International students may apply for any company of their choosing that meets the minimum coverage requirements by Madonna University. They may also purchase insurance from the following companies:

Student Secure Insurance (There are three options: Elite, Select, or Budget.)
https://www.internationalstudentinsurance.com/student-health-insurance/

International Student Insurance  https://www.internationalstudentinsurance.com/

ISOA - https://www.isoa.org/

PSI Service - https://www.psiservice.com/

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.

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).
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).
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.
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.
International Driver’s License: You must possess a valid driver’s license, either international or American, in order to drive in the United States.
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.