Office of International Students and Scholars

You can learn about getting a student visa here. Please note that many US Embassies and Consulates continue to offer limited appointments and/or may have COVID-related backlogs.  You should schedule the earliest possible visa appointment at the US Embassy/Consulate that serves you.  If you are unable to schedule an appointment prior to the start of the Spring semester, you should follow the process to request an emergency appointment.  This is typically done through the same system you used to schedule your initial appointment. Approval of emergency appointments is solely at the discretion of the US Embassy/Consulate.

You should log in to iHome and complete all steps in your Pre-Arrival Checklist.  Graduate students should note the Graduate Housing information on Lehigh’s Housing Services website.  Graduate students are responsible for securing their own housing and should make every effort to do this prior to their arrival at Lehigh.

Graduate student International orientation will begin on Thursday, August 17.  We recommend that new graduate students arrive by August 15 and 16.

Undergraduate student International Orientation will begin on  Monday, August 21.  Students should plan to arrive over the weekend to check into their residence hall (August 19 and 20).

International Orientation is mandatory for all new international students. Please check your e-mail regularly for updates on Orientation.

Students can enter the United States up to 30 days prior to the start date listed on the I-20/DS-2019.  Students should plan to arrive in time to attend the appropriate International Student Orientation (beginning August 17 for grad students, August 21 for undergraduate students).  All new students must arrive no later than the 10th day of classes, and students who are not arriving by the start of classes (August 28) should notify their College and OISS.  We understand that travel may be challenging, so we encourage students to arrive earlier in the 30 day arrival window in case of delays.

The placement essay test will not be given this year. However, you may have English testing during international orientation. 

You will need your SEVIS ID and Lehigh’s school code PHI214F00005000 to complete the DS-160 form. Your SEVIS ID number can be found at the top of your Form I-20, which was sent to you via e-mail once it was issued.  If you have questions about your I-20, contact intnl@lehigh.edu.

You can list OISS (school official) as your contact information in the United States on the DS-160.

Your OISS Advisor's Name as listed on your I-20 (Stephen Deduck, S. Nichole Hunley, or Olga Scarpero)
intnl@lehigh.edu
32 Sayre Drive, Bethlehem, PA 18015
610-758-4859

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program has allowed OISS to send your I-20 electronically during the COVID-19 pandemic, and has extended this permission permanently.  OISS will send your I-20 to you electronically, and you must print all three pages, sign at the bottom of P. 1 and bring the printed I-20 to your visa appointment.  If you have submitted all of your documents into the New Student Checklist in iHome, please allow OISS 10 business days to review.  If you have not heard from us after 10 business days, please contact intnl@lehigh.edu to inquire about your I-20.

If you already have a valid visa and you are coming to the U.S. for the first time, you will need an updated I-20 from OISS with a new program start date. You can email intnl@lehigh.edu if you need an updated I-20 

If you already have a valid visa and you are returning to the U.S., you will need a travel signature on your I-20 from OISS that is not more than one year old. You can request a travel signature through iHome using the “I-20/DS-2019 Change or Reprint Request” e-form found under General Services.

Your SEVIS I-901 fee is valid for one year. However, fee transfers are available for students who already paid the fee if you reapply for a visa within 12 months from the date of your initial SEVIS fee payment. To check the status of your SEVIS fee, print your payment confirmation, or transfer your fee, visit this page. You can also check the SEVIS I-901 fee FAQ page for more information.We recommend that you pay the SEVIS I-901 fee only if you are certain that your visa appointment will take place. You can pay for it up to the day before your appointment so long as you take the payment receipt with you to your interview. If OISS handled your SEVIS I-901 fee and you need assistance, contact intnl@lehigh.edu.

No. We are not mailing I-20s at this time. We will issue your I-20 electronically and send it to your Lehigh e-mail via iHome.

If you are a new student joining Lehigh in Summer or Fall 2022, you should make sure that the New Student Checklist is up to date. You may need to complete some e-forms again. Closer to your arrival date, you should complete the Pre-Arrival and Orientation sections.

In order to receive your updated I-20 for Summer or all 2022, you will need to provide a recent bank statement within six months. The amount should cover the projected cost of attendance for the upcoming academic year. If your source of funding has changed since last year, you will also need to complete an updated Certification of Finances form (pdf). Please note that the bank account holder on the statement should match the name on the COF form. If you are a graduate student who deferred to Summer or Fall 2022, you will also need to provide an updated admissions letter with funding details.

Yes, please tell us your visa appointment date by e-mailing intnl@lehigh.edu. If the appointment is cancelled, let us know as well. If you are able to successfully obtain your visa, please upload a copy of your visa stamp to iHome in the New Student Checklist.

Yes! OISS will use this information to help with airport pick-up options.  We suggest that students fly into Newark or JFK (New York) International Airports.  Once you book your flight, please enter your flight infomration in the New Student Checklist in the Visa Stamp and Travel Plans e-form.

Lehigh will require all undergraduate and graduate students to receive a COVID-19 vaccine as part of their required immunizations. Lehigh continues to review national and state guidance in order to make plans for the fall semester. If you would like to stay updated on Lehigh’s COVID information, please visit the Lehigh COVID-19 Information Center. The Lehigh COVID Dashboard provides a comprehensive list of frequently asked questions as well as information about the current campus status. Additionally, you can find information about Pennsylvania’s current infection and vaccination rates here.

With the changes to the travel restrictions, we anticipate that most students will be fully vaccinated upon arrival at Lehigh.  If you qualify for an exemption to the COVID-19 vaccination travel restrictions, the exemption will require that you become fully vaccinated within a limited period of time after you arrive in the U.S.  At this time, all people in the U.S. aged 6 and above are eligible to be vaccinated, regardless of their immigration status.  Please visit the Health and Wellness Center’s COVID-19 Vaccination Resources page for more info

Students who have received an authorized vaccine do not need to quarantine upon arrival. Fully vaccinated students should plan get tested three to five days after arrival. 

Students who qualify for an exemption to the COVID-19 vaccination travel restrictions must quarantine for 7 days upon arrival in the U.S. These students should be tested for COVID-19 based on the requirements of their quarantine and travel exemption. Students requiring quarantine should work independently to identify accommodations where they can complete quarantine before arriving on campus. OISS staff will be available as a resource to provide recommendations for hotels or local accommodations, if needed, and we are providing notice now to allow you as much time as possible to make arrangements.

Students with individual questions about their personal situation should send the Health and Wellness Center a secure message through the Health Center Portal. This is the best way to get a quick response.

We understand that all vaccinations (non COVID-19 related) may not be available prior to your arrival. If you are unable to receive ALL required vaccinations, please email the Health and Wellness Center through the Health Center Portal to notify the staff of which vaccinations you will require upon your arrival to campus.

All international students must be enrolled in Lehigh’s Student Health Insurance program.  Students beginning in Spring 2022 should e-mail the Bursar’s Office to request an enrollment form.

If you believe that you qualify for a waiver, you must request a health insurance waiver by emailing intnl@lehigh.edu for approval. OISS will work with the Bursar's Office and there is nothing you need to do further. You can learn more about health insurance enrollment here.