New Students

Immigration

The U.S. immigration regulations might seem daunting — we’re here to help! We have some helpful guidelines for visiting the U.S. embassy to apply for your visa. For even more information, refer to the U.S. Department of State.

SEVIS I-901 Fee

Students seeking a F-1 Visa from an embassy or a consulate abroad for initial attendance to Hope College are required to pay a $350 application fee. Exchange visitors seeking a J-1 Visa are required to pay a $220 application fee. It is critical that each visa applicant pay the fee prior to interviewing at the U.S. embassy or consulate. You will be required to show a receipt (proof of payment) at the time of your interview.

Payment methods can be found on the SEVIS website. When paying for the I-901, you will be asked for the school code for Hope College:

F Visa Applicants: DET214F00329000
J Visa Applicants: P-1-04386

INTERVIEW TIPS

In addition to gathering the necessary documents and forms, we encourage you to prepare for your interview with the U.S. embassy/consulate. You may want to give some special thought to your:

Foreign residence and ties to a community
Intention to return to the place of foreign residence
Ability to financially support yourself (and family if included) while in the U.S.
10 Tips for a Successful Visa Interview F-1 & J-1 visas

ARRIVAL & PORT OF ENTRY

Please visit the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement website for arrival information.

Transfer Students

You must transfer your SEVIS record to Hope College if any of the following apply:

You are currently enrolled in a college, university or high school in the U.S.
You have recently graduated from a college, university or high school in the U.S.
You have completed or are completing a period of Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Academic Training (AT)
You are currently in valid F-1 or J-1 status, even if you are outside the U.S.

You do not need to pay the SEVIS fee again!

Instructions for transferring SEVIS record

Ask your current (or previous) institution's International Student Advisor to complete the SEVIS Transfer-In Form. It is also included in the I-20 or DS-2019 Request Form.
Submit your SEVIS Transfer-In Form with your I-20 or DS-2019 Request Form.

SEVIS transfer deadlines

F-1 students: within 60 days of the program end date on the I-20 or within 60 days of the OPT end date.
J-1 students: by the program end date on the DS-2019.

Complete the SEVIS Transfer Form here by typing in all the information: SEVIS Transfer Form

Please note: You may no longer work on your current campus after the release date.

To complete the transfer process, you are required to contact the Hope College Center for Global Engagement within 15 days of the program start date listed on your SEVIS I-20. This obligation is fulfilled by attending the mandatory International Student & TCK Pre-Orientation program provided by the Center for Global Engagement.

Pre-Arrival — What's next?

We’re so excited that you will be joining the Hope College community! As part of Hope’s student population, you’ll need to complete a few forms before arriving in beautiful Holland, Michigan.

Arrival Form

This will come as a separate email link to your 1Hope email account and it will request your travel and arrival information. Please make sure to fill out the Arrival Form we send to you once your deposit is paid.

Host Family Application

Our host families are an important part of some of our international students’ experiences. By connecting with a host family, you’re able to experience American life in a different way than you would on-campus.

The Host Family Program at Hope College allows you an opportunity to interact with local families and a chance to experience ‘typical’ American life away from a college campus. We encourage all of our international and TCK students to participate in this non-residential program. You’ll be matched with a host family based on similar interests.
Are you interested in connecting with a host family? Complete this application form.

Health Insurance

Hope College has an agreement with a health provider, and all students must have health insurance that meets the same standards. See a full explanation of these standards on our Hope College Student Health Insurance page.

Orientation

The 2025 International and TCK Student Orientation begins on Friday, August 15, and is mandatory for all incoming international and exchange students. Third-culture kids are welcome to join, too. All students should plan to arrive at Hope College's campus on Wednesday, August 13, or Thursday, August 14. During your orientation, we’ll address the academic culture at Hope College, health and safety, immigration, campus services, student activities and more.

Explore MichiganSaturday, August 16–Monday, August 18, 2025

Our International and TCK Student Orientation includes a trip to Northern Michigan, where our new students can experience all the beauty that our state has to offer! We’ll hike Sleeping Bear Dunes on Lake Michigan and tour Mackinac Island, where we’ll use bikes to get around. Expect challenge courses, s’more roasting, kayaking, rock climbing, swimming and more. This trip is required for all new international students and any TCK students attending orientation. The cost (transportation, lodging and meals) is covered by the college.

International and TCK Student Orientation ScheduleAugust 15–21, 2025

The 2025 International and TCK Student Orientation Schedule will be available here, closer to the start of the 2025–26 school year.

International and TCK Student Handbook

Check out our handbook for additional information to help you navigate life at Hope College and locate resources in West Michigan, including international cuisine restaurants, grocery stores, etc.

International & TCK Student Handbook