Prospective Students

We are so excited that you are considering TWU for your academic goals! This page will provide you with some information and steps needed to complete the application process whether you are a new student or a transfer student.

Please note that TWU does not issue Change of Status I-20s for B-1/B-2 visa holders. If you hold a B visa and you wish to attend TWU, you must be accepted to the university and apply for an F-1 visa from your home country. For more information on the F-1 visa and its requirements, please refer to Study in the States.

Prospective students may contact the TWU Admissions office, an academic program director in their department of interest, or the ISSS office to find out if a specific degree program is F-1 eligible. The following lists of degrees are those that have been designated as STEM at TWU, and therefore qualify for a 2-year STEM OPT Extension for F-1 visa holding students.

STEM degrees

Application

The F-1 Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) involves many moving parts. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Study in the States website offers interactive tools to navigate the international student process, including how to apply for an F-1 student visa & pay the required SEVIS fee.

The I-901 SEVIS Fee payment is required before you can obtain an F-1 Student Visa.

• I-901 SEVIS Fee — pay the I-901 fee and check I-901 status
• How to Navigate the U.S. Immigration System — I-901 SEVIS Fee information, instructions, and tutorials

International students have 2 deadlines:

Admissions application deadline

Immigration deadline

Accepted students must submit all required immigration documents by the following dates:

Applications for admission to TWU are processed as they are received, without regard to semester deadlines. If the immigration deadline has passed, students who are out-of-the-country may be accepted to TWU but will need to defer admission to the next available semester.

TWU ISSS will make every effort to process your Form I-20 in time for you to obtain an F-1 visa. However, there is no guarantee you will obtain a visa in time to begin your studies in your preferred semester. You may have to defer to the next available semester.

I-20 Form Issuance Flowchart [PDF]

Acceptance for initial students

Once you have been accepted to TWU, International Student & Scholar Services will receive a copy of your acceptance letter, and email you additional details in order to issue your Form I-20.

Next steps

Gather required documentation:

• A copy of your passport
• The appropriate financial resources
  • Certification of Finances - information for acceptable financial documents.
  • Upload your documents via the International Student Portal. To access your International Student Portal, please click this link: https://international.twu.edu/.
  • Find the login option on the upper righthand corner of the screen when using a PC/Desktop computer.
  • Login as a new student using your TWU student email and password.
  • You will find your Initial I-20 request and International Student Orientation for completion.

Your Initial Attendance I-20 will be emailed to you. Please print and sign it on page 1. You may use this as your original to request an F-1 visa.

Acceptance for transfer students

Our office will be in contact with you regarding the documents you need to submit in order to receive your Transfer I-20. Please upload your documents via the International Student Portal. To access your International Student Portal, please visit: https://international.twu.edu.

• Find the login option on the upper righthand corner of the screen when using a PC/Desktop computer.
• Login as a new student using your TWU student email and password. You will find your Transfer In I-20 request and International Student Orientation for completion.

Once you have been accepted to TWU, International Student & Scholar Services will receive a copy of your acceptance letter, and email you additional details in order to issue your Transfer Form I-20.

Next steps

Gather required documentation:

• A copy of your passport
• A copy of your visa
• Your most current I-94 Record
• Current Form I-20
• Certification of Finances - information for acceptable financial documents.

See the application and immigration deadlines stated above. 

Applications for admission to TWU are processed as they are received, without regard to semester deadlines. If the immigration deadline has passed, students who are out-of-the-country may be accepted to TWU but will need to defer admission to the next available semester.

TWU ISSS will make every effort to process your Form I-20 in time for you to obtain an F-1 visa. However, there is no guarantee you will obtain a visa in time to begin your studies in your preferred semester. You may have to defer to the next available semester.

Your Transfer I-20 will be emailed to you. Please print and sign it, and keep it as your original. When your attendance has been verified by our office, we will issue your Continued Attendance I-20. It will be emailed to you.

Page last updated 3:03 PM, October 11, 2024