Summer@Brown: Information for International Students

For International Students

Welcome to Brown!

Each year, Summer@Brown welcomes students from around the world who seek an American university experience.  Our students experience college life, meet new friends, and challenge themselves with academics and new ways of living and learning.

The instructions below are designed to help you complete the necessary application and Visa requirements for study in the United States.

Application Instructions for International Students

  1. Complete your application
    This includes your application, a teacher recommendation, a transcript from your current school, and may include an essay requirement. For specific application requirements, see the "How to Apply" page for your program. Note: your application fee will be temporarily waived until you are admitted to the program.*
  2. Await an admissions decision
    We make every effort to inform you via email of your admissions status within 10 business days.
  3. Confirm your attendance, make full payment, return important documents
    Your admissions packet will include an invoice and payment instructions. At this time, you should make full payment of fees, return the completed I-20 / Certificate of Eligibility Form, the Program Acceptance Form, and a copy of the "biographical" page of your passport. (Fees include: the courses selected, room & board, any materials / lab fees, the application fee, and the health insurance fee.)
  4. Await receipt of your I-20 from Brown
    We will send the I-20 to you via international courier. If the forms have complete, correct information, and there are no problems, you should receive your I-20 within 2 weeks following our receipt of full payment and forms listed in step #3 above.
  5. Apply for an F-1 Visa
    See below for Visa application instructions.

F-1 Visa Application Instructions

All nonimmigrant students are required to obtain the appropriate lawful immigration status (F-1 Visa) prior to enrolling in a full-time program. Brown considers each of its Pre-College programs a full-time program.

To Obtain an F-1 Visa:

  1. Complete your application and confirm your attendance (see steps 1-3 above)
    Once we receive your I-20 / Certificate of Eligibility form, and the "biographical" page of your passport and full program payment we will issue and send to you a Certificate of Eligibility (I-20).
  2. Pay the SEVIS fee to the US Government, and obtain a receipt
    In order to apply for the F-1 Visa, you will need to provide receipt of payment of a $200 SEVIS fee to the Embassy or Consulate.
    The US government SEVIS fee requirement became effective September 1, 2004 for students and exchange visitors who use the I-20 form to gain initial F or J status. For guidance on making the $200 payment, please go to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) Form I-901 Online Completion website at www.fmjfee.com. Use this site to pay the SEVIS fee required for F and J non-immigrants. For more detailed information go to the SEVP website at www.ice.gov/sevis and review the I-901 Fee Frequently Asked Questions. That site also contains a link to the PDF version of Form I-901.
  3. Set up an F-1 Visa request appointment with a U.S. Embassy or Consulate
    Once you receive your I-20 from Brown University and have paid your SEVIS fee, you will be able to set up an appointment at the U.S. Consulate or Embassy nearest you. Please follow the guidelines of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate for requesting your F-1 Visa. The appropriate visa application fee will be assessed at the time of your appointment.

Remember - At your Visa Appointment, you must present:

  • SEVIS Form I-20
  • I-901 SEVIS Fee Receipt
  • Brown University Admissions Letter
  • Official proof of funding or receipt of full payment for program
  • Valid Passport

A listing of U.S. consulates: http://usembassy.state.gov/
Information about wait times: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/wait/tempvisitors_wait.php

If you have general questions about student visas, please consult the U.S. Department of State visa page where you will find links to specific consular locations and other helpful information at http://travel.state.gov. At http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1268.html you will find a description of the F-1 student visa. Please plan ahead as processing times vary at U.S. Embassies and Consulates.

IMPORTANT: Please refrain from entering the U.S. as a tourist (e.g. visa waiver program or tourist visa). The program you will be attending is designated as full-time and your immigration status must allow you to engage in a full course of study. If you have any questions relating to immigration/visa matters, please contact our office.

NOTE: F-1 students in initial status may enter the United States no earlier than 30 days prior to the program begin date listed on the I-20 (Item #5). Please make your flight arrangements accordingly!

CANADIAN RESIDENTS: Although you do not need an F-1 visa to enter the United States in F-1 status, you will need an I-20, and should follow the instructions above for obtaining that document. You must also pay the SEVIS fee and present your SEVIS receipt and I-20 at the U.S.—Canada land border or at the airport for lawful entry to the U.S. as an F-1 student. Please make sure at the Port of Entry that you receive an I-94 arrival/departure record (small white card) stamped “F-1 D/S” (D/S – Duration of Status).

Arriving at Brown

When you enter the United States, you must present to the Port of Entry Officer:

  • SEVIS Form I-20
  • I-901 SEVIS Fee Receipt
  • Brown University Admissions Letter
  • Official proof of funding or receipt of full payment for program
  • Valid Passport
  • I-94 arrival / departure card (received from the airline during the flight)

Students should make every effort to plan their travel to Brown based on a Sunday arrival and check-in time between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Students who arrive after 1 p.m. must check-in at the Office of Residential Life (South Wayland House, 27 Brown Street). Students who arrive after 9 p.m. will be housed in a temporary room for Sunday night and will receive their permanent residence hall assignment the next morning at Residential Life.

When you arrive at Brown University, you will need the following to complete your registration:

  1. Your Passport
  2. Your I-94 stamped F-1 D/S – Duration of Status
  3. Your Original Certificate of Eligibility (I-20) from Brown University

Please bring these items with you to the Orientation session on the Sunday your program begins.

Students who are arriving from distances greater than 350 miles from Brown University may request to arrive early on the Saturday before their program begins. Permission for early arrival must be requested and approved in advance of the program via the online request form. There is a $150 early arrival fee for students arriving on Saturday.

Refund Policy

Please note: If you must withdraw from the program at any point, the application fee ($100) and program deposit ($300) will not be refunded. For more information on our refund policy, please see the Policies section of our website.