Most foreign visitors are required to obtain a visa before entering the country and all students studying in the United States are required to have a visa.*
Students entering the U.S. on an F-1 visa and I-20 should view our Applying for a Student Visa video series for more information.
Once you are admitted to Western New England University, the International Admissions Office will issue you an initial I-20 or DS-2019 to use to apply for a visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate overseas. Visas can be issued no earlier than 120 days before the program start date shown on the I-20 or DS-2019. You cannot enter the United States more than 30 days before the reporting date on your document.
When you are ready to apply for your visa, you must verify with the local consulate what procedures to follow because documentation requirements and procedures may vary. In-person interviews are required. More information can be found on the Department of State’s websites here.
Generally, students are required to submit the following documents during their visa interview:
- Passport valid for travel to the United States - Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States.
- Non-immigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 confirmation page
- SEVIS fee receipt, if you are required to pay before your interview
- Photo – You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160.
- I-20 or DS-2019--All students, their spouse, and minor children--if they intend to reside in the United States with the student--must be registered in the Student and Exchange Visitor System (SEVIS). Each person receives an individual Form I-20 or DS-2019.
- Western New England Acceptance Letter
- Financial Documents
- Academic Preparation Documents: transcripts, diploma, etc. (may be required)
For more information, please see Study in the States for more information on applying for a visa.
*If you have been accepted and already have an active I-20, you will need to transfer your SEVIS record to Western New England University. To achieve this, give your current school your acceptance letter so they can transfer your record. Please use this form to assist you with this.
All international students are required to attend International Student Orientation (ISO). ISO gives you essential information that assists in your success as a student at Western New England University. In addition to topics on U.S. culture, U.S. academic culture, a campus tour, a library tour, and social events, etc, we will also have sessions by other offices on campus that will help you in your journey. You also get the opportunity to meet other American students on campus that will serve as Peer Advisors. It is vital that you attend ISO. ISO is generally one week before classes begin.
During ISO, you will move into housing, register for classes, complete health form requirements, meet your Peer Advisor, and get your student ID, among many other things. Participation in ISO is required.
Important ISO Dates:
International Orientation/Check-In for Undergraduate/Exchange Students will be on Thursday, August 22 from 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. in the University Commons.
International Orientation/Check-In for Engineering Graduate Students will be on Thursday, August 22 from 1:30–4:30 p.m. in the University Commons.
International Orientation/Check-in for all non-Engineering Graduate Students (College of Arts & Sciences, College of Pharmacy, College of Business, Law) will be on Friday, August 23 from 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. in the University Commons.
If you are unable to attend orientation, please notify IPE immediately at isss@wne.edu.
Curious about what to pack? Review this list to guide you.
There are a variety of methods available to you to ease paying your bill. The University's preferred method for payments from international bank accounts or credit cards is Flywire.
Visit Enrollment Services for questions about your bill, payment options, and payment plans.
You may pay your bill in Self Service or Connect2U.
All new undergraduate students are required to complete the University’s health forms and have health insurance that complies with the university's requirements.
- All new undergraduate students should complete the Freshman or Transfer Student health form and return the form to Health Services at mlaboy@wne.edu BEFORE arriving on campus.
- Students who do not fulfill this requirement will be unenrolled from their classes and withdrawn from the University.
Health Insurance
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts does not consider coverage by insurance carriers outside of the United States or coverage by foreign National Health Service programs as comparable under a qualifying student health insurance program. All Western New England University students are automatically enrolled in the university’s health insurance plan and the cost of the plan is applied to the student’s bill.
- Degree-seeking international undergraduate students: you must have the WNE University health insurance.
- Graduate international students: you must have the WNE University health insurance.
U.S. Healthcare System
The U.S. healthcare system is complex and very expensive. International students and scholars (and their dependent family members) must obtain adequate coverage while in the U.S. IPE recommends that all students, scholars, and dependents have adequate health insurance coverage.
Please go here to learn more about the U.S. healthcare system. This video teaches international students how to prepare for their arrival in the U.S., how the U.S. healthcare system works, and how students should seek medical care appropriately if they become sick or injured. Please visit www.internationalstudentinsurance.com/explained/ for more information.
Questions about housing should be directed to Residence Life.
- Undergraduate students: 1st and 2nd year students are required to live on campus starting in Fall 2019. Students should choose their housing and their roommate by following the New Student Housing Selection. Costs can be found here.
- Exchange students: required to live on-campus while at the University. Students should choose their housing and their roommate by following the New Student Housing Selection. Costs can be found here.
- Graduate students are encouraged to live on-campus for your first year so you can get acclimated to the university. If interested in living on-campus, view the steps and cost at Residence Life's Graduate Housing site.
Students who want to request temporary on-campus housing should contact Residence Life directly at residencelife@wne.edu.
Western New England University provides a variety of on-campus academic resources to ensure student success.
Curious about Springfield? Learn more here!