Visa Process & US Port Of Entry

Prospective international students who reside abroad are required to obtain an F-1 visa from a U.S Embassy or Consulate General's Office to enter the U.S. Once the student has received their admission letter and I-20, the student may proceed with scheduling the visa appointment. A visa appointment should not be scheduled until after receiving the I-20.  If an appointment is scheduled too early, the student may need to cancel or reschedule the appointment if the I-20 is not received on time. If an appointment needs to be rescheduled, the request must be made prior to the date of the interview with good cause for rescheduling. The U.S. embassies or consulates will generally begin issuing visas up to 120 days in advance of the program's start date on the I-20. Although consulates may allow the applicant to submit the visa application prior to the 120 days, they may not issue the visa until the 120-day timeframe occurs. The student should schedule an appointment to obtain the visa as soon as they have all required documents for the application and are eligible to apply.

• There are two fees involved with obtaining a visa. One is the I-901 SEVIS Fee and the other is the DS-160 Visa Application fee. These are separate fees and the student will need to pay both of them prior to applying for the visa.

• Form DS-160; This form is only accessible for 30 days from the date of completion/submission to the U.S. Consulate abroad. Please save a copy of the Form DS-160 in PDF format and upload it as part of your check-in requirements.

  • New Students coming from abroad: 
    Students in this group are typically abroad and must apply for the F-1 visa for the first time. Be sure to save a copy of the Form DS-160 for the mandatory UFIC online check-in.
  • New Students to UF, already in the U.S. with an F-1 visa:
    Students in this group are typically already in the U.S. with an F-1 visa attending another school and are seeking a SEVIS transfer from their current school to UF. If the current F-1 visa is valid, the student may use the same visa; if the current F-1 visa expired, the student will need to renew the visa the next time they travel internationally.
    • If you are currently in the U.S. and do not need to renew the F-1 visa, you may not have a copy of your most recent Form DS-160 to upload. That is fine; you will still be able to complete the mandatory UFIC online check-in.
    • If you will depart the U.S. to renew your F-1 visa abroad, be sure to save a copy of the Form DS-160 for the mandatory UFIC online check-in.
  • New or Current Students changing from another visa category to the F-1 visa category:
    Students in this group are typically in the U.S. with another type of visa and will either be applying with USCIS for a change of status seeking F-1 status, or will be departing the U.S. to apply for the F-1 visa at a U.S. consulate abroad.
    • If applying for a Change of Status with USCIS within the US, you will not have a Form DS-160 to upload. That is fine; you will still be able to complete the mandatory UFIC online check-in.
      • NOTE: The USCIS Change of Status application processing time varies, often taking about 12-18 months for adjudication. If you decide to depart the U.S. to apply for the F-1 visa abroad:
        1. you must first contact your F-1 Advisor to request the appropriate I-20 since it will be different than the one you initially received, and
        2. save a copy of the Form DS-160 which you will complete for the F-1 visa application abroad for the mandatory UFIC online check-in.
    • If traveling abroad to apply for the F-1 visa at a U.S. Consulate abroad, be sure to save a copy of the Form DS-160 for the mandatory UFIC online check-in.

The I-901 SEVIS Fee can be paid using one of three methods. Payment of this fee will activate the student's SEVIS record that was created by the school when the I-20 was issued. After payment, the applicant will receive a receipt to have for the visa interview. In the event the applicant pays the fee using the I-20 from one school but later decides to attend a different school, a transfer of the payment can be requested. To transfer a payment made on one SEVIS ID to another SEVIS ID click here.

I-901 SEVIS fee payment options:

1. Online with a credit card
2. By mail with a check or money order
3. At a Western Union

Following is a general list of the documentation needed for the application:

• valid passport for the applicant and any accompanying dependents
• proof of funds to support studies for at least the first year in the U.S.
• admission letter and I-20 from the school the student will attend
• receipt for the I-901 (SEVIS Fee)
• DS-160 Visa Application form and applicable fees. Please save a copy of the Form DS-160 in PDF format and upload it as part of your check-in requirements. This form is only accessible for 30 days from the date of completion/submission to the US Embassy or Consulate.

The above is not an all-inclusive list. Different embassies and consulates may have slightly different requirements. It is important to check directly with the embassy or consulate where the student will apply to make sure the applicant has all required documentation prior to attending the visa interview. The applicant should be prepared to prove that he/she does not intend to immigrate to the U.S. and has ties to his/her home country. Evidence that may be helpful to prove ties to the home country includes: letters of intent to continue employment upon return, documentation of economic, social and/or family ties to the homeland, post-graduation plans for the future in the homeland, etc.

Canadian students: are not required to obtain an F-1. The F-1 status should be indicated on the I-94. Contact the local United States Embassy or Consulate for details.

For additional questions directly related to the F-1 visa application, the applicant should contact the United States Embassy or Consulate where he or she will apply. 

Even after obtaining a visa, entry to the U.S. is not guaranteed. Applicants seeking entry should be aware that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials have authority to permit or deny entry into the U.S. To mitigate the risk, we encourage the traveler to review guidance provided by CBP regarding admission into the U.S.  When entering the United States with an initial I-20, the student may only enter the United States within 30 days before the program start date listed on the I-20. Students must be sure to carry their immigration documents with them. Documents must NOT be packed in checked luggage. At the U.S. Port of Entry, students may have to prove again their intent to return home upon completion of their program.

Travelers should make a full declaration using the Customs Declaration Form (obtained during the flight). When carrying more than $10,000 in cash, the traveler must fill out a report with the customs official. Since certain articles are forbidden or restricted, visit the Transportation Security Agency's (TSA) website for a list of prohibited items and current travel regulations.

All students should have available the passport (valid for at least 6 months) with the F-1 visa, the I-20, the I-901 SEVIS fee receipt, and proof of funds. It would also be useful to have names and contacts for the University of Florida International Center and the academic department. An electronic I-94 Entry record will be generated and can be retrieved on the I-94 Official Website, usually within 10 days after entering the US. The electronic I-94 Entry record is required for certain processes in the U.S. such as Driver's License and SSN applications. If a student has difficulty retrieving the electronic I-94. Additional information about these processes will be provided in the mandatory Online Check-in instructions.