Applying
for a Visa
All students who
are not US citizens, or permanent residents, are required to obtain
a visa to enter and stay in the United States while enrolled as a students.
The first step in
applying for a visa is to obtain a certificate of eligibility from the
University's Office of International Affairs (OIA). The office of International
Affairs will need the official transcripts, TOEFL, GRE or GMAT scores
that you submitted as part of the admission process. The Ph.D. Office
will forward these documents to OIA. You need to submit proof of sufficient
financial resources to pursue your study in the US.
Visa Instructions
and Forms
Students need to
submit the Financial Resources Statement, visa category request and
supporting documents to the Booth Ph.D. Program. The Financial Resources
Statement and visa category request forms, as well as additional information
can be found at the Office
of International Affairs website.
Send your completed
form and supporting documentation to:
Ph.D. Program Office
The University of Chicago
Graduate School of Business
1101 East 58th Street
Chicago, IL 60637 USA
Be sure to keep
copies of all submitted information. We recommend that you submit
your package by courier or express mail so that it can be tracked if
it does not reach our office.
Steps after
Mailing Documents
Once we receive
Financial Resource Statement and the supporting documentation from you,
our office forwards these documents to the Office of International Affairs,
which confirms eligibility in compliance with US Immigration laws.
It will take 4-6 weeks from the date of receipt for International Affairs
to process your file. They will start with admitted students from China
first, as it is expected that the visa issuance will take longest in
China.
Once your I-20 is ready, the Ph.D. Program Office will mail the document
to you. While your I-20 is being prepared, check with the US Embassy
or consulate in your country to confirm visa procedures.
New students can
enter the U.S. up to 30 days prior to the reporting start date for their
program. For Booth Ph.D. students starting the program in 2004, the start
date for visa purposes is September 18, 2004 (please note that orientation
activities including math camp will start on September 7). This means
that the earliest date you can enter the US is August 19, 2004. While
the date on your visa might be an earlier date than August 19, 2004,
if you attempt to enter the US on your new status before August 19,
2004, you run the risk of bring turned away at the port of entry and
having to return to your home country at your own expense.
If you were still
completing a degree when you applied to the program, you are required
to obtain an official transcript showing that you received the degree.
You can mail the transcript to the Ph.D. Program Office or you can bring
the transcript with you when you come in the fall.
If you have any
questions, please contact Associate
Director by e-mail or by phone at 773.702.0093.
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