Visa deadlines approach for University’s international students

Daily Emerald (Oregon)

For most students, applying for enrollment to the University was nothing more than a little bit of paperwork. Questionnaires, FAFSA forms and essays culminated into what would eventually be acceptance and full-student status.

For others, the process does not stop there.

According to the University Office of Admissions, 2,017 students, both undergraduate and graduate, are international students — 8 percent of the total student body.

After being accepted and invited to study at the University, a prospective international student must apply for a student visa, which allows a foreign citizen to reside in the U.S. for academic purposes.

University sophomore Stephen Casey, a native of Vancouver, British Columbia, said the notion that visas are difficult for everyone to attain is a common misconception.

“For me, the process was just paperwork and time,” Casey said. “I really had no problem getting my visa in order. My parents did most of the paperwork and I did the interview.”

The U.S. Department of State requests that students apply for visas prior to 120 days from the beginning of the students’ respective registration dates. For many international students who want to attend the University, this places a deadline on the first week in May.