Admitted Student Portal
Information for International Students
Congratulations on your admissions to the Gabelli School of Business!
See below for specific information by category. You can also watch our recent
Town Hall for All Admitted Students, as well as our
Town Hall for Students from Greater China.
Getting a Student Visa
International students applying for an F-1 student visa, transferring your current F-1 student visa to Fordham University, or changing your visa status, will need to submit several documents to the Office of Admissions in order to receive an I-20/DS-2019. The I-20 turnaround takes approximately two to three weeks once your completed documents are received by the Office of International Services. To avoid delays, you should submit required documents in a timely manner but no later than the following term due dates:
Spring 2023
December 21
Summer 2023
May 5
Fall 2023
June 30
The information below outlines the next steps in the student visa and I-20 process.
1. Accept your offer of admissions and pay the non-refundable enrollment by the date outlined on your admissions letter.
2. Review email instructions sent by the Office of Admissions on how to submit the required documents to begin your I-20 process. Fordham University will require the following documents to issue you an I-20:
• Completed Application for Certificate of Eligibility (AFCOE)
• Documents verifying that you have adequate financial resources to meet the tuition, fees, and living expenses of your full-time program in English (bank statement, bank letter, scholarship award, etc.). Financial documents must indicate that funds are readily available.
• Copy of the biographical data page of your current passport.
• Letter of Admission to the Gabelli School of Business
Transfer Students: If you are currently in the U.S for your studies or have an active U.S visa and plan to transfer your SEVIS Record to Fordham University, you will also be required to provide the following:
• F-1 Transfer form signed by former institution
• If applicable, copies of previous immigration documents
• Current I-20/DS-2019
• I-94 document (“Get most Recent I-94”, follow instructions here)
• If applicable, EAD (OPT card)
3. Log in to your Applicant Status Page and upload all required documents under “Application and Affidavit of Support Documents for I-20 or DS2019”.
4. If required documents are correct the Office of Admissions will forward your documents to the Office of International Services (OIS). A confirmation email will be sent to you when your AFCOE documents have been forwarded to the Office of International Services (OIS).
The review of your AFCOE and issuance of your I-20 will take approximately two to three weeks from the date the Office of Admissions has reviewed and forwarded your documents to the Office of International Services.
Transfer Students: please note that the OIS cannot begin processing your documents until your SEVIS release date has passed and they have received your F-1 transfer form.
5. Once your I-20 is issued, OIS will send an email with shipping options.
New International Student FAQ
When should I start submitting required documents for processing?
We strongly recommend you submit required documents as soon as you have accepted your offer of admissions and have received our student visa instruction email. All required documents must be submitted no later than the term due dates.
When will I receive my Fordham University Form I-20?
The issuance of your I-20 will take approximately
2 to 3 weeks from the date the Office of Admissions has reviewed your documents and has forwarded your documents to the Office of International Services(OIS).
Transfer Students: please note that the OIS cannot begin processing your documents until your SEVIS release date has passed and they have received your F-1 transfer form.
What should I do if it’s been more than 3 weeks and I have not received my I-20?
If it’s been more than 3 weeks, please email the Office of Admissions at
admissionsgb@fordham.edu. The Office of Admissions will follow up with OIS on the status of your I-20.
Please be sure that you are checking all of your folders including spam and junk. The Office of International Services will send you an email with shipping instructions once your I-20 is ready.
Can I request for my I-20 to be expedited?
We understand there is a lot of concern regarding visa appointments. We encourage students to submit in a timely manner to accommodate for various processing times. The Office of International Services works with various graduate programs and students and cannot expedite the issuance of the I-20.
Can I request for a digital electronic copy of my I-20?
The Office of International Services will email you once your I-20 is ready with shipping instructions. A copy of your digital electronic I-20 will not be sent unless Office of International Services (OIS) deems it necessary. OIS works continuously to mail original I-20 documents.
How do I schedule a visa interview appointment?
Find the
U.S. consulate or embassy where you will apply for a visa, then follow the links on that embassy’s website to learn more about scheduling a visa appointment and relevant requirements. Some U.S. consulates are beginning to accept visa appointments. See the
Visa Appointment Wait Times page of the
Travel.State.Gov website.
What are some issues students face during the I-20 process?
• Not submitting all materials (Submit all materials together and ensure you have all required documents. This will save time and prevent you from searching for missing materials.)
• Not showing sufficient funds.
How is my F-1 status/CPT/OPT eligibility affected if I cannot make it to campus?
International work authorizations (student visa, CPT, OPT) remain unchanged. Students must be in active F-1 student status for at least two full semesters before they are eligible for CPT and/or OPT.
Our Office of International Services is in regular contact with
Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the
Department of Homeland Security. If any changes are made in response to the current pandemic, we will communicate those to you in a timely manner. Please visit the
Office of International Services website for more information.
If for some reason I must do the entire master’s program online/remote, am I still able to apply and get OPT?
Students completing the entirety of their degree online/remote are not eligible for OPT. Additional guidance from OIS related to the impact of COVID-19 on visas and OPT are available on
Office of International Services website.
Can I defer my admission if I cannot obtain an F-1/J-1 visa to attend in-person this fall?
Yes, admitted students who wish to defer their start date to a later term may request an admission deferment. Requests to defer enrollment will be considered on an individual basis, and admitted students are encouraged to carefully weigh all options before submitting deferral requests.
Click here to review more information about our admissions deferral request process.
Additional Resources and Information
Office of International Services Homepage
Office for International Services COVID-19 Updates
Immigration and Visa Information
Fordham University COVID-19 Updates
Information on Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Information on STEM Optional Practical Training Extension (STEM OPT)
US Department of State (DOS) website
English Language Programs
The Communication Exchange Program
The Conversation Exchange Program (CXP) provides an interactive and authentic way to connect with American native speakers to build confidence, improve conversational skills, and adapt to American culture. Through this semester-long program, students are paired with a native English speaker for 1 hour a week to enhance their cross-cultural skills and expand their professional and social network. For more information, please visit our webpage.
Gabelli TALK
Gabelli TALK is a five-week online pre-graduate summer program to help you prepare for graduate studies in business in the US. The program is designed to enhance your communication skills so that you become more successful in the classroom, in your career, and in a social setting. It is also designed to provide you with a broader and deeper understanding of America through a variety of corporate virtual visits and cultural excursions around New York City. For more information, click here.
