1.6 Visa Requirements for Registered Students

To register as students, those who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents must obtain and maintain appropriate visa status for their stay in the United States. The types of student visas include the following outlined below. Certificates of Eligibility (I-20 or DS-2019) are issued to admitted international students after receipt of certifications of adequate financial support.

Student Visa (F-1)

The F-1 visa is obtained with an I-20 Certificate of Eligibility issued by Stanford University. The graduate student on an F-1 visa must enroll in a full course of study. An F-1 student transferring from another U.S. school must obtain a new I-20 from Stanford and complete a transfer process at the Bechtel International Center no later than 15 days after the effective date of the transfer.

The accompanying spouse or child enters on an F-2 visa. F-2 visa holders may not hold employment or engage in business under any circumstances. The F-2 spouse of an F-1 student may not engage in full-time study, and the F-2 child may only engage if the study is in an elementary or secondary school (kindergarten through twelfth grade). The F-2 spouse and child may, however, engage in study that is avocational or recreational in nature.

Exchange Visitor Visa (J-1)

The J-1 visa is obtained with a DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility issued by Stanford University or a sponsoring agency. This visa is often required for graduate students sponsored by certain agencies, foundations, and governments. In some cases, exchange visitors must leave the United States at the conclusion of their programs, and may not change to non-student visa status, and/or may not apply for permanent residency in the United States until they have returned to their home countries for at least two years. A J-1 student or scholar transferring from another U.S. school must obtain a new DS-2019 from Stanford and complete a transfer process at the Bechtel International Center no later than 15 days after the effective date of the transfer.

The accompanying spouse or child of an exchange visitor may obtain a J-2 visa and may, in some cases, obtain authorization to work by applying for an Employment Authorization Document from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to be employed in the U.S. There is no regulatory restriction on study for J-2 dependents.

Initial Registration

After an international applicant has accepted an offer of admission to Stanford University, the Bechtel International Center will invite them to access their portal to request an I-20 or DS-2019. Bechtel will review the student’s financial documents before issuing and mailing the initial immigration paperwork (the I-20/DS-2019 and, if applicable, the I-20/DS-2019 for the student’s dependent(s)).

An incoming international student for whom Bechtel has created an I-20 or DS-2019 will have an enrollment hold until the student arrives on the Stanford campus. To have the enrollment hold released, the new international student must go in person to the Bechtel International Center to verify physical presence at Stanford. The student must also:

• attend a “Maintaining Your Legal Status” workshop offered by the Bechtel International Center (normally during Orientation Week) and,

• enter their local residence address into the “Student Directory (local) address” field of Axess.

Upon completing these requirements, Bechtel International Center staff will release the enrollment hold and the new student will be able to register for classes.

The Bechtel International Center maintains information for new international students opens in a new tab, including the schedule of mandatory workshops.

English Placement Examination for Graduate Students and Enrolling in Summer Quarter Courses

Based on performance on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), Graduate Admissions will notify some newly admitted international students of a requirement to complete the English Placement Test as a condition of admission.

The English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program administers the English Placement Test for new international students before the start of each autumn quarter. The examination may result in a list of courses that the student is required or recommended (or both) to complete for their degree. The student’s degree may not be conferred until the required courses are completed or the student subsequently meets the requirement through additional examinations.

In rare cases, Graduate Admissions may determine that an incoming student is required to complete an intensive English language program prior to taking the English Placement Test. The program may be offered in the student’s home country or in the United States and must be approved by Graduate Admissions in advance. The student should submit proof of enrollment and successful completion of the program to Graduate Admissions.

Incoming international students should indicate their desire to enroll in Summer Session opens in a new tab courses on their request for an I-20 form before the start of their graduate degree program at Stanford and complete the corresponding program application. Incoming international students planning to enroll in any Summer Session courses must provide evidence of adequate financial support for the summer (including the payment of summer quarter tuition), in addition to that required for the academic year.

NOTE: Language requirements for international graduate students who are appointed to teaching assistantship positions during their graduate program at Stanford are in addition to those described here for incoming students

1. Obtaining F-1 or J-1 Visas for Degree-Seeking Graduate Students

The following steps must take place as soon as possible after the student has accepted the offer of admission.

2. Initial Registration

3. Summer Session Enrollment

The following steps are for graduate students who intend to take summer courses at Stanford in advance of commencing their degree program at Stanford.  This does not apply to enrollment in subsequent summer quarters. 

4. English Placement Examination for Graduate Students