International students who attend Ball State typically enter the United States on an
F-1 student visa (using the
form I-20) or a
J-1 exchange visitor visa (using the form
DS-2019).
When Ball State University admits you as an international student, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is notified using the
Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Once ICE approves the university’s request to issue an I-20 or DS-2019, the university produces a bar-coded I-20 or DS-2019 for you.
Then, you visit the U.S. consulate abroad for confirmation through SEVIS that your I-20 or DS-2019 is valid. If everything is in order, the consulate issues you the visa. At the port of entry, an ICE officer records in SEVIS your entry into the United States.
When you arrive on campus, you must report to the
Rinker Center for International Programs, so that we may confirm through SEVIS your arrival and enrollment. We continue to provide regular electronic reports to ICE throughout your academic career at Ball State.
Your departure from the United States will also be documented through SEVIS.