Admitted F-1 and J-1 Students

Students admitted for full-time, in-person study at Georgetown are eligible for F-1 or J-1 nonimmigrant student status. Most Georgetown international students use F-1 status. This F-1/J-1 Comparison Chart (PDF) details the requirements, restrictions, and benefits of F-1 student status and the J-1 Exchange Visitor program.

To study in the United States in F-1 or J-1 status, each student must obtain:

1. A Form I-20 (F-1) or Form DS-2019 (J-1): Students must submit a Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 Application to the Office of Global Services (OGS). OGS recommends applying for the Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 immediately after accepting admission and at least 60 days before the mandatory arrival date (PDF) for their program. The final deadline to submit a complete application is 30 days before the academic program’s mandatory arrival date (PDF). Students applying close to the final deadline have a reduced chance of completing all procedures in time to study for their intended semester.
   
   Applications are placed in queue to be reviewed once all required sections are completed. OGS’s processing time is three weeks after receiving the complete application. Students should not seek an update on the status of their application during the normal processing window.
   
   Please note: Students who will transfer their active F-1 or J-1 status to Georgetown from another school must apply for a Georgetown Form I-20 or Form DS-2019, even if they do not need a new F-1 or J-1 visa in their passport.
2. An F-1 or J-1 visa (if applicable): After receiving the Georgetown Form I-20 or Form DS-2019, students can apply at a U.S. embassy or consulate for an F-1 or J-1 student visa.

Students who receive a Form DS-2019 from a non-Georgetown sponsor (e.g. Fulbright, IIE, AMIDEAST, etc.) must report their information to the J-1 Report as an International Student Form.

Students with a non-student status (anything other than F-1 or J-1) do not have OGS reporting requirements.