Admitted International Students

Step 1 - Complete the Certificate of Eligibility and Check for Accuracy

F-1 students will receive a SEVIS I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for Non-immigrant Student Status. J-1 students will receive a DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status. Please take special care in examining the following:

• Spelling of your Family Name (Surname) and First Name (Given Name) must match your name on your passport
• Date of Birth (month/day/year) must match your passport
• Gender
• Academic Major
• City of Birth
• Country of Birth
• Country of Citizenship

I-20 Request Form

Step 2 - Pay the SEVIS Fee

Before applying for a visa, you are required to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee if you have a new (Initial) I-20 or DS-2019.  
Students who receive a “transfer pending" I-20 or DS-2019 from DSU do not need to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee as long as they begin classes within 5 month of their last enrollment.

Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee at least 3 days before the visa interview (or earlier if you are not paying with a credit card)

FMJFee.com is the ONLY site certified to collect I-901 SEVIS Fee Payment

View a SEVIS Fee payment tutorial here.

Step 3 - Apply for a Visa

Many consulates have high demand and limited appointment availability. To make sure you have your visa in time to travel to the U.S. and begin school, you should apply for your visa as early as possible.

Instructions for Visa Applications

1. Complete the DS-160 visa application
2. Pay the Visa Application fee (MRV)
3. Schedule the visa appointment with the Embassy/Consulate closest to your location.
4. Go to the visa appointment with:

1. 1. your DS-160 bar code receipt
   2. the MRV receipt
   3. the SEVIS fee receipt
   4. original I-20/DS-2019
   5. passport
   6. financial guarantee
   7. photos, and any other information the U.S. Consulate website indicates

You will find more information regarding locations and visa wait times on the individual Embassy websites. Emergency and expedited appointments are sometimes available. Each consulate has its own procedure and availability. DSU’s International Programs does not have any “special” contacts or forms to help schedule visa interviews.

Note: Canadian citizens do not need a visa to enter the U.S. as a student but must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee.

Applying for Housing

Living on campus is an important part of your college career. When you live on campus, you can make connections and build friendships that last a lifetime.

Visit our housing webpage to learn more and for instructions on applying.

Make Financial Arrangements to Pay Fees

You will need to pay fees when you arrive on campus. DSU charges fees on a semester basis. The fall semester fees are due in August, and the spring semester fees are due in January. You can pay fees by bank wire, travelers’ checks, international money order, or by credit card. You must pay your fees to stay enrolled at DSU.

Dickinson State University scholarships and discounts usually only apply to the cost of tuition. Items not covered include school fees, room and board, textbooks, health insurance, and incidental expenses. Please refer to your I-20 or appointment letter for the estimated costs of program participation.

Calculate Spending Money

Other costs to consider include long distance and international telephone calls home, school supplies, and personal expenses like shopping and entertainment. You will get help with opening a U.S. bank account when you get here.

IMPORTANT: Banks in Dickinson do not do instant exchange of foreign currency. We encourage you to leave for the U.S. with American currency or bring a debit card to withdraw cash.

Pack

You will experience four distinct seasons during your studies with us. Fall (August-November) temperatures range from 40 F to 70 F. Winter (December-March) temperatures range from -30 F to 40 F. Spring (April- June) temperatures range from 50 F to 70 F. Summer (July-August) temperatures range from 70 F to 100 F. You will experience rain and snow. Fortunately, you can buy winter clothing inexpensively in the U.S.

Freedom from Tuberculosis

On arrival to campus all students from high-risk countries will be tested for tuberculosis. The required test is free and performed by DSU’s Student Health Services. Any student found to have tuberculosis will be required to seek immediate treatment and meet our requirements to continue their studies at Dickinson State University.

Students from certain countries (click here for the list of countries) MUST test for TB in the U.S.

Medical Insurance

As an international student, you must pay for mandatory student health insurance when you get to DSU. The university will automatically bill you for this health insurance.

Prepare for Living in the U.S.

Education USA (a division of the U.S. Department of State) offers a pre-departure guide for students planning to study in the U.S.

NOTE: The Office of International Programs will be hosting year-round events which celebrate global and cultural diversity. If you have any traditional clothing, souvenirs, photographs, or items from your country that you would like to share with others, please bring them.

Important Dates

To view class start dates and other important deadlines visit the Academic Calendar page. 

Airport Pickup

We look forward to your arrival at Dickinson State University! 

In order to ensure your arrival goes smoothly, you should begin making your travel plans well in advance.

Direct flights are available to Dickinson’s Theodore Roosevelt Regional Airport (airport code DIK).

When you have scheduled your flight into Dickinson or Bismarck, please notify us of the flight number, date, and time of arrival by filing out the Airport Pickup form. We will arrange to have someone pick you up at the airport.

If you are flying to Dickinson, we will provide transportation Tuesday-Thursday of the week before classes begin.

We will provide transportation from Bismarck Regional Airport (BIS) to Dickinson State University for new students who arrive in Bismarck, North Dakota, before 9 p.m. Central Time on the Wednesday before classes start for the fall and spring semesters. Please note that there may be waiting times in Bismarck, as multiple students with different arrival times could be using the service. If you plan to arrive at the Bismarck airport, we cannot guarantee pickup. Please email dsu.hawk@dickinsonstate.edu to check for availability.

Airport pickup is free and available only to new students arriving for their first time at DSU. Please note that this service is subject to availability and requires advance notice.

If you choose to fly into any other airport, it will be up to you to arrange transportation to Dickinson.

DSU has a variety of clubs and organizations to energize students’ interest, offer them leadership experience, and bring opportunities for interaction with their peers and the community in general. These include cultural opportunities including Global Table, the Multicultural Committee, and the International Club. Find out more about our clubs and organizations.