Application for Visa Certificate - GSAS

Processing Time

  1. In general, your I-20 will be ready to send to you about three weeks after we have a COMPLETE application.
  2. If you choose Fedex service (or DHL service for certain locations), your I-20 will arrive 2 to 6 business days later, depending upon your location. If you choose first class mail delivery, it can take anywhere from 15 to 30 business days to arrive.
  3. We understand that waiting for your I-20 to arrive can be stressful. However, we DO NOT reply to inquiries requesting confirmation of receipt of either your online submission of the Application for Visa Certificate form or your fax of your supporting documentation. If 20 days after you have submitted a COMPLETE application, you have not received any email from the ISSO about your I-20, you may contact us by email at newintlstudent@columbia.edu or telephone at 212-854-3587.
  4. If your I-20 is late in arriving, contact your school to find out the last day that you can arrive and register for the semester. Do NOT enter the United States in Visitor status (B-1, B-2, WT, or WB). Those in B-1/B-2/WT/WB status are not allowed to attend class and are in violation of their Visitor status if they do so. Therefore, you must wait to obtain the F-1 visa before coming to the United States to study at Columbia.