Steps for Applying for Student Visas
International Hub Portal
This portal is used to manage immigration-related requests, documents, and communication during your time at the university.
You should have received an invitation email to access the 911±¬ÁÏ International Hub.
If you have a GMU email address:
Click on the key icon (highlighted below) to access the portal and log in using your Mason Single Sign-On (SSO) credentials
If you do NOT have a GMU email address yet:
Enter your personal email address and click ' Next' to create your password
After logging in, you will be directed to your My Launchpad, which serves as your main dashboard.
How to Request Your I-20:
- Initial I-20 Request ( New Students) can be found in Action Required from My Launchpad
- Click Start Request
- Choose the following option: Initial I-20 Request (New Students)
- Complete all required fields
- Upload required documents
- Copy of your passport: Students are required to provide a photocopy of their identification page in their passport. This ensures the accuracy of the name and date of birth listed on your I-20. The name and birth date on your application for admission must match those that are listed on the identification page of your passport. Please do not use nicknames or western names that are not your formal given name. If the names on your admission letters, I-20 form, and passport do match, you may have difficulty during your students visa interview or when you try to enter the U.S.
- Certificate of Financial Responsibility (CFR): The provides important information needed to prepare the I-20 document for your student visa. The form must be filled out completely and signed by both you and your sponsor(s). Applicants need to indicate the source(s) of the funds on the CFR form.
- Bank Statement or financial support documents: individuals ( parents, brothers, uncles, etc.) listed on the Certificate of Financial responsibility, as the source of funding for the student, should provide original bank statements. Bank statements should be dated within the past twelve months, be from an individual account, and show funds that are immediately accessible and transferable. Credit card statements, business accounts, property value documents, solvency statements, statements of income, and insurance policies may not be submitted as sources of financial verification. Photocopies, faxes, and scanned documents are accepted. Please refer to this website for more information on
- Transfer Students: If you are transferring your SEVIS record from another U.S. institution to 911±¬ÁÏ, you must also submit the following documents:
- Completed signed by both you and your current Designated School Official (DSO).
- Copies of the pages 1, 2, and 3 of previous I-20s. If you have dependents, please also submit a copy of their I-20s.
- Copy of visa page. If you have dependents, please also submit a copy of their visa page.
- Copy of arrival stamp/I-94, which is available on the .
- Submit your request for review
After you submit the Initial I-20 Request and all required documents, processing may take up to 10 business days.
How to view requests & Check Status
To access your requests, go to My Launchpad then Requests. From there, you can view all active and past requests.
Request Status Meanings
Draft- The request has been started but not submitted
Submitted- The request has been submitted successfully
In Review- The request is currently being reviewed
Edits Required- Updates or corrections are needed before processing can continue
Approved- The request has been approved
Completed- The request has been fully processed
Dismissed- The request has been closed or not approved
I-20 Issued
Once your I-20 is issued, you will be notified via email to log into your International Hub account and retrieve the I-20 document.
- Click to open your I-20 under the Documents tab in your portal.
- Pricing out your I-20 and sign it in ink. Students are required to have a printed copy of their I-20 with their name signed by hand in ink.
- Read SEVP Guidance on electronic I-20 signatures.
- If you are submitting your I-20 to U.S. government agency ( USCIS, Department of State, etc.) or another organization, check directly with the government agency or organization regarding signature requirements.
After you Receive Your I-20
Carefully review your document to ensure all information is correct, once verified, follow the instructions in our visa guides to apply for student visa.
After you receive your visa, be sure to review as you prepare to begin your studies at 911±¬ÁÏ.
I-20 Deadlines for International Applicants:
Fall semester
| First day to issue I-20 for fall semester admits | February 15 |
| Final day to issue I-20 (sent outside the U.S. by first class or international express mail paid by students, to accommodate visa processing time) | July 31 |
| MANDATORY SEVIS check-in with OIPS (international transfer students in the U.S. and change of academic level students) | July 1 - September 1 |
| MANDATORY SEVIS check-in with OIPS (for international students with initial entry into the U.S.) | July 18 - August 28 |
| DEFERRAL REQUEST deadline to defer your admission and/or I-20 start date to another semester | September 1 |
| Final day to issue I-20 (international transfer students currently in the U.S.) | August 28 |
Spring semester
| First day to issue I-20 for spring semester admits | October 1 |
| Final day to issue I-20 (for students outside the U.S. to accommodate visa processing time) | December 15 |
| MANDATORY SEVIS check-in with OIPS (international transfer students in the U.S. and change of academic level students) | December 1 – January 30 |
| MANDATORY SEVIS check-in with OIPS (for international students with initial entry into the U.S.) | December 12 – January 17 |
| DEFERRAL REQUEST deadline to defer your admission and/or I-20 start date to another semester | January 31 |
| Final day to issue I-20 (international transfer students currently in the U.S.) | January 30 |
Late Arrival
If you are a new undergraduate or graduate student arriving after the Program Start Date on your I-20, there are additional steps you must take.