The Office of Global Initiatives is responsible for all student and scholar-related immigration documents and advisement on DS-2019's, employment authorization, maintenance of status and international travel.



Under U.S. law, you are fully responsible for abiding by the rules governing your J-1 student status. International Student and Scholar Services will do its best to help you understand these rules, but you are required to follow the rules and responsibilities of student status explained on the Maintenance of Status and Student Employment pages.

Exchange Students

If you are interested in joining NJIT as a J-1 Exchange Student, will need to complete and provide the following documents:

• DS-2019 Eligibility Request Form

• Exchange Program Application

• Supporting Financial Statements

• Current Transcript (minimum GPA 3.0 required)

• Copy of Passport

• Proof of English Proficiency

  • TOEFL IBT (minimum 79) or IELTS (minimum 6.5)

All documents should be emailed to global@njit.edu. We accept electronic copies of all documents, but students are required to submit original transcripts upon arrival at NJIT.

Application Deadlines

• Fall: May 15

• Spring: November 1

Prescribed Study

To be considered for enrollment as a prescribed study student, you must already be pursuing a degree in another institution but wish to come to NJIT for a short-term to participate in joint research. The research conducted at NJIT must be supervised by a specific professor/department and related to your degree in your home institution. You will need to obtain a J-1 visa even though you are not pursuing a degree or are enrolled in any courses at NJIT.



Eligibility Requirements:

• Degree candidate at another institution

• Plan to leave the U.S. upon completion of the term at NJIT

• Good academic standing

• Carry health insurance that meets the standards set by the U.S. Department of State while at NJIT

You must provide a letter from your home institution (in official letterhead) describing your academic program, confirming that an NJIT professor will supervise your work and how this work relates to your academic field.

You must have enough funding to cover your expenses for the term you will be at NJIT.

All applicants who are accepted as prescribed study students will be issued the documents allowing them to apply for a J-1 exchange visitor visa as a non-degree student. Acceptance by and issuance of documents from NJIT does not guarantee that the application will be approved for a visa.



Students wishing to be affiliated with NJIT for the purposes of conducting research with a professor may NOT come to NJIT with a tourist visa or through the visa waiver program.

How To Apply

The academic department at NJIT is responsible for collecting all documents from you and submitting them to the Office of Global Initiatives at least 3 months prior to your intended arrival date.

• Prescribed Study Application - Instructions and form to be filled out by the department
• Prescribed Study Application - Form to be filled out by the student

We recommend that you check with the U.S. embassy or consulate nearest to you to get updated information regarding the documentation you will need to provide in order to apply for a student visa.

Admitted students who require a student visa in order to enter the U.S. and be eligible to enroll in classes at NJIT will be issued the appropriate immigration documentation.

Be sure to bring the following with you to the visa appointment:

• Passport
• Required Photo(s)
• Visa Fee Payment Receipt
• SEVIS I-901 Fee Payment Receipt
• Completed U.S. Non-immigrant Visa Application Forms
• NJIT Acceptance Letter
• Form I-20 or DS2019 Issued by NJIT
• Evidence of ties to your home country
• Any other documents required by the embassy or consulate

Canadian Citizens

Canadian citizens are exempt from visa requirements, but must present the following documents upon entering the United States:

• NJIT Acceptance Letter
• Canadian Passport
• Proof of SEVIS I-901 Fee Payment
• NJIT Form I-20
• Proof of Financial Support Matching the Information on Your Form I-20

Other than the visa requirements for entry into the U.S., all travel documents and regulations for Canadian citizens are the same as for other F-1 visa holders. Since changes in these requirements are possible, it is best to check with the nearest U.S. consulate to learn if any changes have taken place.

By law, international students may travel to the United States no more than 30 days before the start of classes.  



Students Currently in the United States

If you are already an F-1 visa holder because you are attending another institution in the U.S., you will need a new Form I-20 to start your program at NJIT. Your new NJIT Form I-20 will be issued as soon as your current school transfers your SEVIS record to us and your financial documentation has been received.



If you are currently holding another visa type and wish to change it to F-1, please contact the Office of Admissions for assistance.

A list of all U.S. embassies and consulates can be found at www.usembassy.gov.

Students are required to provide their visa application form (with the appropriate, non-refundable fee), their passport, an I-901 SEVIS fee receipt, the Certificate of Eligibility (Forms I-20 or DS-2019), along with your acceptance letter issued by NJIT, and support original documents from financial sponsors (family, friends, organizations, etc.).

What to Bring With You to the Visa Interview

Be sure to bring the following with you to the visa appointment:

• Passport
• Required photo(s)
• Proof of visa fee payment
• SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
• U.S. non-immigrant visa application forms
• NJIT acceptance letter
• Form I-20 or DS2019 issued by NJIT
• Test scores and academic records
• Proof of financial support
• Evidence of ties to your home country
• Any other documents required by the embassy or consulate

What you need to know

Financial certification

The consulate officer will require evidence of strong ties to your home country such as family, business, or financial support in your country. You must demonstrate that you have a residence abroad that you do not intend to leave behind following your completion of studies.

Educational goals

You should be able to explain why you chose NJIT and why you want to study in the United States, instead of studying in your country. Be very clear about your educational goals and career plans back in your country after graduation.

Be clear

Your interview will likely be only a few minutes long; make sure you respond to questions in a clear and concise way, to give a leave a good impression on the visa officer. 

Leaving family behind

Be prepared to explain how your family will be financially supported while you are NJIT if they will remain in your country while you are pursuing your degree in the United States.

English proficiency

Your interview will likely be conducted in English.

Visa denials and visa delays

The most common reasons for visa denials are:

• Lack of evidence to prove financial capability to study in the United States
• Lack of evidence to prove strong ties to the home country

If your visa application is denied, you will be able to reapply for a visa; however, please contact the Office of Global Initiatives immediately at global@njit.edu  so we can assist you.

Visa delays can happen due to many different factors, including but not limited to: holidays, request for additional information, security clearance, etc. We recommend that you apply for your visa as early as possible. Students can apply for their visas up to 120 prior to the start of their program (see your I-20 or DS2019 for your program start date).

F or J Visa

Most students come to the United States on an F-1 student visa. This visa type will be used for students coming to NJIT to pursue their degrees. NJIT will issue a Form I-20 for students who are applying for an F-1 visa.

If you are participating in the exchange visitor program, you need to obtain a J-1 visa. Generally, a J-1 visa is required for students who are sponsored by a government agency or are a participant in a formal exchange program with NJIT and an institution abroad. In some cases, J-1 students may have requirements that prevent them from remaining in the U.S. upon completion of studies.

Early Arrivals and Tourist Visas

DO NOT enter the U.S. as a tourist with a B-1, B-2 visa stamp or with a WT (waiver tourist) if you are a citizen of a country that is eligible for the Visa Waiver Program.

If you enter as a tourist, you must apply for a change of status to F-1 or J-1, in order to enroll as a full-time student. Unfortunately, the change may take several months to process and you cannot begin your program until your new status has been approved. Waiver tourists are not eligible to change to any other non-immigrant status. Therefore, if you plan to come to the U.S. to study, it is very important that you enter with an F-1 or J-1 visa.

You can enter the U.S. up to 30 days before the date indicated on your Form I-20 or DS2019.

Canadian Citizens

Canadian citizens are exempt from visa requirements, but must present the following documents upon entering the United States:

• NJIT acceptance letter
• Canadian passport
• Proof of SEVIS I-901 Fee Payment
• NJIT Form I-20
• Proof of financial support matching the information on your Form I-20

Other than the visa requirements for entry into the U.S., all travel documents and regulations for Canadian citizens are the same as for other F-1 visa holders. Since changes in these requirements are possible, it is best to check with the nearest U.S. consulate to learn if any changes have taken place.

By law, international students may travel to the United States no more than 30 days before the start of classes.  

Students Currently in the United States

If you are already an F-1 visa holder because you are attending another institution in the U.S., you will need a new Form I-20 to start your program at NJIT. Your new NJIT Form I-20 will be issued as soon as your current school transfers your SEVIS record to us and your financial documentation has been received.

If you are currently holding another visa type and wishes to change it to F-1, please contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@njit.edu for assistance.

How long will it take to process my application?

Your application will be reviewed as soon as all required documents are received by the Admissions Office.



Will NJIT accept unofficial copies of my transcripts or documents?

NJIT will accept unofficial copies of any required documents needed to complete your application. Admitted students are expected to submit official documents prior to enrolling.



Can I apply to several degree programs at the same time?

No, applicants can apply to one degree program only.



How can I find out the status of my application?

Students are able to check the status of their application online via the application portal. Go to connect.njit.edu/apply/.



Can you tell me if I have been accepted over the phone?

Admission decisions cannot be released over the phone because we cannot verify the identity of the caller. All admission decisions are provided directly to the applicant via email and online through the application portal.



What are the policies on changing from one program to another?

Students can apply for a department transfer after completing one full year in their enrolled program by submitting a formal application and fee. The new academic department will then review the application.



Can I take courses before being admitted into a graduate program?

Students are permitted to register for up to 9 credits of non-matriculated coursework with the written approval of the academic department. International students on F-1 or J-1 visas are not permitted to register as non-matriculated students.



Can I authorize a friend to be responsible for my application process?

You can have a friend inquire about missing documentation. However, admission decisions are provided directly to the applicant in writing.

Test Scores

What are the TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, PTE, GRE and GMAT requirements?

The minimum TOEFL score requirement is 79 (Internet-Based), 550 (Paper-Based) or 213 (Computer-Based). The minimum IELTS score is 6.5. The minimum Duolingo score is 120. The minimum PTE score is 57.

The individual academic departments determine the required GRE and GMAT scores. You can learn more here.

We encourage those students who have taken the test to submit scores.



How can I receive more information about the TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, PTE, GRE and GMAT exams?

GRE Information - www.gre.org

GMAT Information - www.gmat.com

TOEFL Information - www.toefl.org

IELTS information - www.ielts.org

Duolingo - www.duolingo.com

PTE - www.pearsonpte.com

Financial Aid

How do I apply for financial aid?

All applicants are automatically considered for financial support by the academic department at the time of admission. There is no separate form required.



What are other forms of financial assistantships available at NJIT?

Limited graduate assistantships are available through the Office of Graduate Studies annually to enrolled students. Please feel free to view the financial support and graduate awards web page

International Students

When will I receive my I-20?

Visa eligibility forms are released once a student has been formally admitted to NJIT and has submitted appropriate financial documentation.



Can I receive my I-20 electronically?

Yes, your I-20 will be e-mailed to you after you have been admitted to NJIT and your appropriate financial documentation has been approved.

Our six specialized colleges offer you the opportunity to be a part of a top-tier public research university and learning community in the most desirable areas of study.

NJIT At-A-Glance

• 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio
• 12,600+ students call NJIT their home
• 120+ degree programs
• 150+ student clubs and organizations
• 19 NCAA Division I Sports
• 150+ research centers and specialized laboratories
• $155M awarded in financial assistance each year
• $65,135 average starting salary after graduation

Profile of NJIT’s First-Year Class

• Average SAT score: 1295
• Average ACT Score: 30
• Average GPA: 3.6
• Most Popular Majors: Computer Science, Biology, Mechanical Engineering, Business
• First-Generation Students: 34%
• Geographic Representation:  9 States and 23 Countries

Applying to NJIT

NJIT is a member of the Common Application.  

NJIT has rolling admissions, but we recommend students apply early. NJIT accepts electronic transcripts via Naviance/Docufide.

Application Deadlines

• November 1: Accelerated Pre-Health and Pre-Law Programs
• November 15:  Early Action I
• December 15: Early Action II
• February 1: Honors College
• March 1: Rolling Admission Deadline
• May 1:  Submit Tuition Deposit and Housing Application
• June and July: New Student Orientation NSO 1.0
• July 15:  Health Forms Due
• August: New Student Orientation NSO 2.0

Additional Programs for First-Year Students

• Albert Dorman Honors College
• Educational Opportunity Program
• Advanced Placement Credit
• Guttenberg Scholarship

Visiting the Campus

We encourage you and your students to visit us! Register at njit.edu/visit.