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International Student Information

Process to Apply for I-20 or DS-2019 Document

If you have accepted our offer of admission by completing Step 1 and you are an international student required to attain a J-1 or F-1 student visa, you will need to submit additional documentation to the Office of Admission. Please refer to the Office of International Education’s website for further details on whether or not you are required to attain a J-1 or F-1 student visa for studying at Carnegie Mellon: http://www.studentaffairs.cmu.edu/oie/forstu/coming.cfm#apply

Carefully review all of the information provided below. Many laws regarding international students studying in the U.S. have changed. It is very important that you are aware of the particular immigration laws that affect your country. Please allow sufficient time (a minimum of six weeks) for the University to process your paperwork and issue the Certificate of Eligibility (I-20) document.

Forms and information needed to process the I-20 document:

All international students that require a student visa must submit the international student information form below with supporting financial documents and a photocopy of your passport identification page(s) in order to begin the I-20 document processing. Download the international student information form and return it to the admissions office via postal or express mail. Please note that all of the required forms and documents must be received and verified by the admissions office before the I-20 can be processed.

We will begin processing documents in March. Once processing begins, your I-20 document will be sent within 6 weeks of receipt of all necessary documents (International Student Information Form, Affidavit of Support for Financial Sponsor Form and supporting financial documents, and a photocopy of your passport identification page(s)) and the required enrollment deposit. Packages containing incomplete or insufficient funding information will not be processed. Due to international mailing times, you should expect to wait at least 6 weeks from the date you send this information until you receive your Certificate of Eligibility.

International Student Information Form and Affidavit of Support for Financial Sponsor Form

Please click on the appropriate link below to download a copy of the required forms for international students. Please print a copy and submit a completed version to the Office of Admissions as soon as possible:

International Students enrolling in the January 2009 semester- please contact the Office of Admissions to request this form (+1-412-268-2164 or hnzadmit@andrew.cmu.edu)

International Students enrolling in the May 2009 semester, please click here.

International Students enrolling in the Master of Science in Health Care Policy and Management (MSHCPM) program in the August 2009 semester, please click here.

International Students enrolling in MSPPM, MISM, MSISPM, MEIM, MPM, MSBTM or MAM programs in the August 2009 semester, please click here.

International Students enrolling in MISM program in the August 2009 semester, please click here.

International Exchange Students enrolling in August 2009 are required to download and complete the Exchange Student Information Form and the Exchange Student Affidavit of Support Form.

Original documents showing financial support to cover all tuition and living expenses must be submitted with the International Student Information Form and the Affidavit of Support for Financial Sponsor Form to the Office of Admissions. Once you have completed and mailed these forms along with the supporting documents, please wait at least three weeks before contacting our office to confirm their arrival. Actual student expenses vary. Please select your program below for more information on your estimated cost of attendance:

Receiving the I-20 document

The I-20 document will be sent to you after all forms and financial information have been received from you and verified. Again, you should allow sufficient time for the processing of all required information (up to six weeks from the time you mail the forms to the office of admission). After you receive the I-20 document, you will need to pay your $100 SEVIS Fee (more instructions will be included with your I-20 document) and then you must make an appointment with the U.S. consulate for an interview to receive your VISA. VISA processing in some countries may require an additional 3 weeks. Consider your country's immigration regulations and allow sufficient time for processing your VISA well in advance of your expected arrival date.

Important Information

Global Pittsburgh, a regional collaborative initiative, hosts a website intended to introduce you to the international character of the Pittsburgh region. Their website provides visitors with links to:

  • International Communities in Pittsburgh
  • Events Calendar
  • News of interest to people moving to Pittsburgh

The Office of International Education has extensive information on their website to help you complete the enrollment process at Carnegie Mellon, such as:

  • How to receive the Certificate of Eligibility (I-20) document.
  • Health Insurance
  • International Student Orientation

The OIE's Settling in Guide contains information about:

  • Getting to Carnegie Mellon
  • Tax Obligations for International Students
  • Housing Resources

Sending Packages To CMU

Until you know your new address, you may have your letters and packages sent directly to your department or addressed to:

Your Name
Carnegie Mellon University, International Students
HOLD AT: 6555 Penn Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15206

You must pick up your mail as soon as possible after arriving on campus. To do this you can go to the Carnegie Mellon Post Office and inquire if your mail has arrived at the address above. If it has, your package will be delivered to the campus post office or to your campus department by the following day. Alternatively, you can go directly to the Penn Ave. address to pick up your mail (3 miles from campus).

Additional questions? Email the Office of International Education: newinter@andrew.cmu.edu.