Admitted International Students

Congratulations on your acceptance to Asbury Seminary! We look forward to you joining our community! If you will be entering the United States on a student visa (F-1 or J-1) your initial point of contact will be the Manager of International Services for visa related matters. Please carefully review the checklist below to make sure you have taken the appropriate steps to complete your enrollment.

Before Your Arrival to Campus

Complete Financial Certification

Before you can begin to make plans for your travel to Asbury, you must obtain an F-1 or J-1 student visa from the US Embassy in your home country. To make the visa appointment, you must have documentation from Asbury called a Certificate of Eligibility. For F-1 students, this document is called an I-20; for J-1 students, this document is called a DS-2019.

An I-20 or DS-2019 can only be issued by Asbury once you have completed the financial certification process with the seminary. In this process, you will explain how you intend to fund your studies. The necessary forms and instructions will be emailed to you by the Manager of International Services after your admission to Asbury. (The financial certification packet is normally available in March each year; it is updated according to tuition and fee estimates.) You can also find the forms online at AsburyConnect. (requires login).

You must complete the Financial Certification Form and submit additional supporting documentation to facilitate the issuance of the Certificate of Eligibility. All submitted documentation must be in English. Please note that all students must pay an advance deposit of $300 during the financial certification process. This deposit will be used to pay the required SEVIS fee of $200 to the US government on your behalf and ship the I-20 and other documents to you. For more information about the SEVIS fee, please visit http://www.fmjfee.com.

If you are currently studying in the United States on a F-1 or J-1 visa you will need to have your SEVIS record transferred from your current institution. Please take Asbury’s transfer form, available from the Manager of International Services, to the DSO at your current institution, who will complete the form and release your SEVIS record to Asbury.

To avoid delays in the processing of your travel documents please send the required documentation by the following dates:

Financial Certification Deadlines

Semester Deadlines

Once all of your documents have been received, they will be carefully reviewed. If everything is in order, your I-20 or DS-2019 will be shipped to you along with a copy of your admission letter, your SEVIS receipt, and helpful information for your arrival in Wilmore or Orlando.

Schedule Visa Appointment

Once you have paid your SEVIS fee you will need to schedule an appointment with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. To locate the nearest embassy to you, please visit the following site: http://www.usembassy.gov/

For more information about applying for a visa, please visit the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs website: https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en.html   The US Department of Homeland Security also has a very helpful resource at Study in the States: https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students.

When you go to the embassy for your interview, remember to bring the following items:

• Letter of admission to Asbury Theological Seminary
• Certificate of Eligibility – Form I-20 or DS-2019
• Documentation showing your sources of funding
• Passport valid for at least six months beyond the date of your travel
• Proof of your intent to return to your home country after the completion of your program.
• Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 confirmation page
• Application fee payment receipt, if you are required to pay before your interview
• Photo, if required

Please Note: Canadian citizens are not required to interview at an U.S. Embassy or consulate for a student visa. Your visa will be issued at the port of entry. Please be sure to care the documents above to the port of entry.

Apply for On-Campus Housing

Learn more about campus housing and to submit your housing application. You will not be eligible for placement in student housing until your I-20 or DS-2019 has been issued.

Register for Classes

After your I-20 has been issued, your academic advisor will contact you by email to discuss your educational goals and course schedule. Please arrange with your advisor to register for classes prior to your arrival in the United States.

Schedule Airport Pick Up

Asbury Theological Seminary offers a free shuttle service from the Blue Grass Airport in Lexington, Ky. If you wish to be picked up from the airport please book your flight to arrive in Lexington (Airport code: LEX) and send your itinerary to the Manager of International Services at least two weeks in advance of your arrival.

After Your Arrival to Campus

Check In and SEVIS Registration

Once you arrive to campus please meet with the Manager of International Services to register your SEVIS record.  Please bring your family’s travel documents (passport, I-20) .

Have Student ID Made

Your student ID can be made in the B.L. Fisher Library at the Information Commons desk. Your student ID is more than a library card that will allow you to check out books in the library. It will also allow you into the Student Center and, if applicable, your residence hall and the dining hall.

Pay your Tuition

Bills are handled through the Seminary’s Business Office. Charges will be posted to your student account after the start of classes; you will be able to you’re your bill on the student portal. There are a variety of payment options available; please contact the Business Office for more details.

Buy your Books

Once you have registered for your courses with your academic advisor, the syllabi for your courses will be available to you via the student portal. We recommend that you consider purchasing or renting textbooks early so that you do not fall behind in the reading requirements!

Attend International Student Orientation

Every new student is required to attend both International New Student Orientation for international students and New Student Orientation for all new incoming students. Both events are held several days before the start of the semester. Please check your arrival packet for more detailed information.