Information for New International Students

1. Provide Documentation to Bentley:  Once you have been admitted to Bentley and submitted your deposit, the Graduate or Undergraduate Admission Office or the Cronin Office of International Education will send you information on the documentation you will need to provide to obtain your immigration document and apply for your visa.  This immigration document certifies that you have met the addmissions requirements for Bently University and that you are eligible to apply for a student visa. The Form I-20/DS-2019 will be sent to you as soon as possible to allow you time to apply for an F-1 student or J-1 exchange visitor visa. Please allow up to three weeks to complete this process.
2. Receive Form I-20/DS-2019:  When you receive your immigration document you must print it out, review it for accuracy, and sign and date at the bottom of page one.  You will need to show this document when you enter the U.S. If you find an error on your Form I-20/DS-2019 please contact us at GA-CISS@Bentley.edu so that we can issue you a corrected form. 
3. Pay the SEVIS Fee:  Once you receive your Form I-20/DS-2019, you must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee online using the SEVIS number and school code listed on your Form I-20/DS-2019. Most students can pay the fee by credit card at FMJFee.com. However, if your country of citizenship is Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, or Gambia, you must pay by money order, Western Union Quick Pay, or a certified check from a U.S. financial institution.  You must pay the SEVIS fee at least 3 days before your visa appointment.  After paying the fee, you must print the Form I-901 confirmation page (available immediately if paid by credit card) and bring as proof of payment to your visa appointment.
4. Complete the Online Visa Application (Form DS-160):  Once you have completed the form, print out a copy.  You will need a printed copy of the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview. You will also need to upload your photo to the online form and pay the visa application fee.
5. Schedule an Interview (if required):   Most prospective international students must obtain an F-1 visa at the nearest  U.S. consulate or embassy  to request entry to the U.S. in F-1 status (With the exception of Canadians.) You may also schedule your interview at another U.S. embassy or consulate, although it may be more difficult to qualify for a visa outside of the country where you live. Wait times for appointments may vary by location and time of year.  We recommend scheduling your appointment as soon as possible. New student visas can be issued up to 120 days in advance of the start date of your program.
6. Gather Documentation for Your Appointment:  At your appointment, you will be expected to show the following documentation:
   1. Bentley University Acceptance letter
   2. Form I-20/DS-2019
   3. Form I-901 SEVIS fee receipt
   4. Passport,
   5. Proof of financial support
   6. Proof of English language proficiency
   7. Other evidence as required by the consular post. Evidence may consist of transcripts, diplomas, test scores, financial documentation, or documentation of your ties to your home country or intent to depart the U.S. upon completion of studies. Review the consulate-specific instructions on the website of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you will apply.

7. Attend Your Interview (if required):  If required, a consular officer will interview you to determine whether you meet the requirements for a student visa. You may also be asked to give digital fingerprint scans as a part of the interview or be provided with instructions for how to provide these at a later time. Generally, the consular officer will then approve or deny your visa. 

   In the case of denial, you should ask the consular office for documentation of the reason for your denial, and notify GA_CISS@bentley.edu for assistance. In some cases, a consular officer may not make an immediate decision and may determine that your application requires further administrative processing. Administrative processing may take weeks to months. Before your interview, you may want to practice answering questions in English about your visa application. It is helpful to approach your interview with confidence and clear and concise answers.  your plans to study at Bentley

8. Receive Your Visa: You will need to arrange for the return of your passport (with your visa stamp) to you either by picking up at the consulate or mailing it. *Canadian citizens entering the United States with a valid Canadian passport do not require a visa but still must present a valid Form I-20 at the port of entry and must pay the SEVIS fee.
9. Make Your Travel Plans: Plan to arrive in the United States in time to attend your Orientation Program but no more than 30 days prior to the start date listed on your Form I-20/DS-2019. 

Administrative Processing

The U.S. Consulate/Embassy may request security clearance or additional review of an applicant before issuing a visa. These reviews can take up to several months. Please see here for more information on administrative processing.  Individuals with special skills in the STEM fields may be more likely to undergo administrative processing so please plan accordingly.  

Contact the CISS if you are notified that your visa application must undergo Administrative Processing, as your program dates may need to be adjusted due to the processing delay.

Visa Denial

Sometimes, the visa process does not go as planned. A visa application may be denied if:

• The consular officer does not have all of the information required to determine if the applicant is eligible to receive a visa

• The applicant does not qualify for the visa category

• The applicant is ineligible or inadmissible to the United States due to the applicant's current and/or past actions, such as prior drug or criminal charges

• The applicant does not prove “Non-Immigrant intent”

One of the most common reasons for denial of a non-immigrant visa is failure to establish non-immigrant intent (denial under Section 214b). During the visa interview or as a part of the application process you must present evidence that you do not intend to abandon your home country and that you have significant economic, professional, or personal ties or reasons to return to your home country once the intended program or activity is completed. Consular officers may use their discretion to determine whether non-immigrant intent is evident. You can proactively provide documentation of ties to your home country within your application by demonstrating any property ownership, investments or financial assets, family or social relationships, or future employment offers. These items are not mandatory, and they do not guarantee that your visa will be approved.

If you are denied a visa, you should obtain documentation of the reason for the denial and contact the CISS for further assistance. In most cases, visa re-application is possible. Please see here for more information on visa denial.

If you are coming to Bentley from another U.S. high school or university and are transferring your immigration record to Bentley, you are considered a SEVIS transfer student and may not need to obtain a new F-1 visa. You may be a SEVIS transfer student if you:

• Are currently in the United States and studying at a U.S. institution and are planning on changing schools.
• Have completed a program at a U.S. institution and will begin a new program at Bentley in the spring, summer, or fall semesters.
• Have attended a U.S. institution or completed a program in the United States and are currently outside the country, but plan on re-entering to attend Bentley.
• Have completed a program and are currently pursuing Optional Practical Training (OPT) in the United States, but will start a new degree program at Bentley.

In order to be eligible for a SEVIS transfer, your new program must start within five months.

How do I transfer my SEVIS record?

• The SEVIS transfer process must be initiated while your SEVIS record is active or within the 60-day grace period following completion of your program or Optional Practical Training.
• During the admissions process, you will fill out a transfer form with an advisor at the school listed on your current Form I-20.
• Once the transfer date has passed, the Center for International Students and Scholars will receive the transfer and create a "transfer pending" Form I-20 for you, which you will use between programs. You do not need to obtain a new visa unless your current visa is expired, and you need to re-enter the U.S. You are permitted to either remain in the U.S. between programs, OR travel and re-enter before your new program.
• Before your new program begins, you will receive information about orientation. New students should plan to attend orientation. During orientation, the CISS will provide an information session on your visa status, rules and regulations. We will also provide you with resources for adjusting to life at Bentley and the U.S. This session is mandatory. You will also be expected to complete a virtual immigration registration process to notify the CISS that you have arrived in the U.S., and to provide us with some general information so that we can register your immigration record within 30 days of your program start date, as required by the Student & Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). SEVIS transfer students will also receive a new I-20 once this process is complete to indicate that the transfer has been finalized.  Please contact GA_CISS@bentley.edu if your arrival is delayed for any reason.

Certain non-immigrant categories other than F-1 allow for part or full time study in the U.S. However, if you are currently in the U.S. in a nonimmigrant status (B-1/B-2, F-2, H-1B or H-4), and would like to change to F-1 or J-1 status, you have two options: Consular Processing (obtaining a visa from outside of the U.S. and re-entering in a new status) or Change of Status (via Form I-539 from within the U.S). For more information on change of status procedures, contact GA_CISS@bentley.edu. We encourage students to carefully review the Change of Status Process & Acknowledgement Form prior to making a decision about which process to pursue. 

Consular Processing

Travel outside of the U.S. and follow all of the above listed steps to obtain an F-1 or J-1 visa at a U.S. Embassy abroad. You will re-enter the U.S. using your new visa and Form I-20/DS-2019.

Change of Status from Within the U.S.

You may apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to change your status without leaving the U.S. by completing a Form I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status and sending supporting documents. This process can take up to 6+ months. Approval is not guaranteed, and changing from certain visa types (specifically tourist visas) has a high denial rate.

If your application is approved, you will be in your new status and can remain in the U.S. in this status. However, once you travel outside the U.S., you will need to apply for a new visa stamp in order to re-enter.

1. Before arriving at a U.S. airport or border facility, be sure to have your passport, F-1/J-1 visa, and your original Form I-20/DS-2019 with you. You may also want to carry additional documents such as a copy of your acceptance letter.  Carry these documents on your person and NOT in your checked luggage. You will show your documents at the port of entry. An immigration officer will review these documents to determine if you are eligible to enter the U.S. as a student. 
2. It is recommended to have copies of these documents stored electonically in case originals are lost or inaccessible.
3. Upon entry to the U.S. a Form I-94 will be generated for you electronically.  This form will show your entry date and status.  We recommend that you print out a copy of this form each time your travel outside of the U.S. and re-enter to verify that you have entered the U.S. in the approriate status. 

Please contact GA_CISS@bentley.edu if your arrival will be delayed, or if you will not be attending Bentley University. 

Orientation

Orientation is an opportunity for new students to learn about student immigration regulations and important resources on campus and in the community.  There is an Undergraduate Student Orientation, a Graduate Student Orientation and an International Student Orientation.  Attendance is mandatory for new students.  Information about undergraduate or graduate orientation will be provided to you prior to arrival. 

International Student Orientation is a 2-3 day program that requires registration and allows international students to arrive early to get settled and attend the orientation. 

You will need to get a copy of your Form I-94 to complete the Immigration Check-In. 

Retrieving Your Form I-94

• Go to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Form I-94 web page
• Click on "Get Most Recent I-94"
• Click "Consent & Continue"
• Enter Your Traveler Information
• Document Number=Passport Number
• Save and print the most recent Form I-94 (NOT THE TRAVEL HISTORY)

Having Trouble Retrieving Your Form I-94?

If you receive a “Not Found” message, it is possible that the Form I-94 does not exist because of a system error.  I may also be that the Form I-94 is in the system, but the data is formatted differently than you entered it. 

If so, here are a few tips:

• Enter your name as it is written on your visa or your boarding pass.
• Enter the first and middle name in the First Name field.
• Switch the order of the names.
• If you have multiple names, try writing without spaces or omitting the last few letters.
  Example of multiple names: Type the multiple first names “ Julie Anne” as “Julieanne”
• The search is case sensitive. Try all lower case letters
• If you have two passports with the valid visa in the old passport, try using the old
  passport number, and then try using the new passport number.
• If you have a Mexican passport, try eliminating the first two digits of the passport
  number (used to indicate year). This will not work for all Mexican passports.

Still having problems retrieving your I-94 number?
If you came through immigration at Boston Logan Airport. Contact Boston Logan Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) at 617-568-1810.

For those who did their immigration at another port of entry, you can call the CBP Deferred Inspection Office and explain the problem. Contact information can be found on CBP’s website http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/contacts/deferred_inspection/

Find the contact information for the port of entry where you did your immigration process.
Remember, you will receive a new Form I-94 each time you enter the U.S.
 

Immigration Check-In

New students will have to complete a mandatory virtual immigration registration check-in process to notify the CISS that they have arrived in the U.S. in valid status and to provide us with address and contact information.  This Immigration Registration Check-In is required so that we can register your SEVIS immigration record within 30 days of your program start date, as required by the Student & Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). We will provide you with more information about how to complete this process before the start of orientation. You will need to upload a copy of your Form I-94 and verify your U.S. and home country address and phone number.

• F-1 Immigration Registration Form-Complete this form if you are in F-1 status only AFTER your arrival to the U.S. 
• J-1 Immigration Registration Form-Complete this form if you are in J-1 status only AFTER your arrival in the U.S.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Public Health requires full-time students (students taking 9 or more credits) to complete and submit the following before arriving at Bentley University:

1. Health History Questionnaire
2. TB Risk Assessment Questionnaire
3. Immunization Record

To access forms, upload documents, enter immunizations and submit this information, log into the Online Student Health Portal. Log on using your Bentley short name (everything to the left of the @ in your email address).

For further information and details please go to Bentley University Health Center. Our website contains details about the requirements, downloadable forms, allowable waivers, and Zoom video instruction for navigating the portal. You will not be able to move into housing or begin classes until you have submitted the required information. You will also be charged a $50 nonrefundable fee if you remain non-compliant.

On-Campus Housing is available to undergraduate students. The Residential Center will inform you of the day on which you may move into your residence hall. You must complete all of the required paperwork indicated in your MyBentley account. Residential Center staff are available to answer any questions. Please note: first-year resident students are not allowed to register automobiles on campus during their first year of study.

Email GA_Housing@bentley.edu with questions related to on-campus housing.

Waltham is a beautiful town just west of Boston. Waltham has a number of popular apartment complexes and privately owned apartments and housing throughout town. It's also surrounded by the towns of Belmont, Newton, Arlington and Watertown, which are also options for living.

Visit the Bentley University Off-Campus Housing Website  to search for off-campus housing options. 

Popular apartment complexes close to campus include:

Windsor Village
976 Lexington Street
Waltham, MA 02451
(781) 349-5627

Cronin Landing Apartments
25 Crescent Street
Waltham, MA 02453
(844) 283-9094

Finding a place to live off-campus can be very challenging for any new student. Make sure to be a smart consumer!  When renting a room or apartment, we recommend you:

• Let landlords and real estate agents know what type of rental units you are looking for (such as studio or one-bedroom; furnished or unfurnished).
• Do not rent a place that you have not seen.
• Have any repairs or maintenance work agreed to in writing by the landlord before you sign a lease.
• Be prepared to sign a lease (binding rental agreement) for one year.
• Be prepared to pay first month’s rent, last month’s rent and a security deposit for your room or apartment before you are permitted to move in.

Students are advised to use all resources available to them when choosing a place to live. Please contact an advisor in CISS if you have further questions about finding a place to live. 

Bentley University is not responsible or liable for any off-campus student housing arrangements. Furthermore, neither Bentley University nor the CISS staff endorse the above apartment complexes or apartment-finder websites. Bentley University does not inspect the premises of any off-campus housing locations nor does it assume responsibility for contracts/leases or other housing arrangements between individuals.