Students who applied to an undergraduate program should contact Undergraduate Admissions.
Email: admissions@ohio.edu
Phone Number: 740.593.4100
Certificate of Eligibility Information
To join a university in the U.S. you need a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). You can join a university as a student in F-1 status using an I-20 or in J-1 status using a DS-2019.
You will need the COE to apply for the visa stamp at your consular office and to complete several important steps in the arrival process.
Obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility
Once you have been admitted to the University and complete all of the necessary requirements, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, Graduate College or the Ohio Program of Intensive English (OPIE) will provide you with one of the following documents:
- Form I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student (F-1) Status
- Form DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status
Financial Documentation
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program requires F-1 students to provide financial documentation demonstrating sufficient funding for at least one academic year.
The program also requires J-1 students to demonstrate that they have sufficient funding to support themselves, and any dependents, for the duration of their program.
Financial documentation examples include, but are not limited to:
- Funding offer letter from the university
- Scholarship award letter
- Bank statement
Financial Documentation Criteria
- Must be in English
- Document must be dated within the last 6 months
- Funds must be considered liquid assets*
- Funds must be in your name OR include a sponsorship letter
*Liquid assets refer to cash or cash equivalents, such as a savings or checking account. Stocks, bonds, and other investments are not liquid assets.
Still Awaiting Immigration Documents?
The ISSS team does not create initial immigration documents. Contact the office that applies to your admission type for assistance with your document status.
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Graduate College
Students who applied to a graduate program should contact the Graduate College.
Email: graduate@ohio.edu
Phone Number: 740.593.2800
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Ohio Program of Intensive English (OPIE)
Applicants who need help with English should contact OPIE.
Email: opie@ohio.edu
Phone Number: 740.593.4575
What's Next?
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Obtain a Visa
Once you have obtained your COE, you can begin the process of acquiring a visa. Learn more about the process and next steps on the Visa Information page.
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Traveling to Campus
After you acquire your COE and Visa, you can begin preparing to make your journey to campus. Learn more about preparing for departure and making travel arrangements, what to pack in your luggage and the U.S. Port of Entry process on the Traveling to Campus page.