Newly Admitted International Students | International Student Resources

Welcome, New International Mammoths!

Congratulations on your admission to Amherst College! The coming months will be a busy and exciting time as you make plans for your new academic adventure. The information in this section will help guide you through the visa application process and provide key information to help you get started with your planning.

Getting to Amherst in 5 Steps: An Overview

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Before the OIS can issue the immigration document that you will need to apply for your student visa, there are steps that you need to complete. The first step is to be admitted to Amherst College and to confirm your attendance.

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Before the OIS can issue the immigration document that you will need to apply for your student visa, there are steps that you need to complete. The second step is to provide a copy of your passport biographical page and submit all required documents to the Office of Financial Aid.

Close Caption Receive your I-20/DS-2019
Before you can apply for your student visa, there are steps that you need to complete. The third step is to receive your I-20 or DS-2019 from Amherst College.

Zero — Close Caption F-1 or J-1?
The OIS will provide guidance regarding the appropriate visa status for your time at Amherst College. While parts of the visa application process are similar for F-1 and J-1 status, there are some critical distinctions between the two.

Close Caption Obtain Your Visa
Now that you have received your I-20 or DS-2019 from Amherst College, you are ready to schedule your student visa appointment! Use your Amherst College I-20 or DS-2019 to apply for your F-1 or J-1 visa.

Close Caption Travel to Amherst!
Travel to Amherst! Once you arrive at Amherst, you will participate in New International Student Pre-Orientation and New Student Orientation, and you will complete a "check-in" process with the OIS.

Steps to Navigate Your F-1/J-1 Visa Process

Click here to for a full, step-by-step breakdown of how to complete your visa process and travel to Amherst College.

Visa steps

New International Mammoth Timeline

Important steps	Timeframe
Whether early- or regular-decision, receive your admission to Amherst College	January - March
Get your F-1/J-1 visa (the earlier you apply for your visa, the better!)	April - July
Connect with International Student Leaders and articipate in virtual, monthly pre-arrival meetings hosted by the CISE and OIS	June - August
Receive your campus mailing address and, if you’d like, begin shipping packages to yourself to collect upon your arrival	Mid-August
Travel to Amherst and participate in New International Student Pre-Orientation!	Late August