F-1 Visa Checklist

Eligibility

  • Be admitted to the University of Oregon
  • Seek to enter the U.S. temporarily and solely for the purpose of pursuing a degree
  • Have a foreign residence, which you have no intention of abandoning
  • Receive a Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status (Form I-20) issued to you by International Student & Scholar Services
  • Have sufficient funds to cover tuition, fees and living expenses
  • Provide proof that you have paid the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee on Form I-901. 

If your plans change and you do not plan to attend the University of Oregon, please send an email to International Student & Scholar Services at intl@uoregon.edu.

1

Receive I-20 from ISSS

An I-20 is issued by International Student & Scholar Services based on your admission to the University of Oregon and submitted evidence of financial support. The I-20 is required to apply for an F-1 student visa and for entry to the U.S.

You will receive your I-20 as a PDF file via email. You must print, sign and date the I-20 copy and keep it with your passport for your visa interview and carry it with you for admission to the U.S. 

  • Review your I-20 for accuracy. Your name and birthdate should match your passport. If corrections are necessary, email a copy of your passport to International Student & Scholar Services at intl@uoregon.edu.
  • The I-20 Program Start Date coincides with the start of classes. You must enter the U.S. before the I-20 program start date but not earlier than 30 days before the program start date. If your arrival is delayed, please contact International Student & Scholar Services at intl@uoregon.edu.
  • The I-20 Program End Date is an estimate and may not reflect the actual completion date of your degree program. We can adjust your program end date at any time during your program.
  • The I-20 Estimated Average Costs are based on non-resident tuition and fees, and estimated living and school expenses. Actual costs may be higher or lower depending on specific program costs and individual needs.

2

Pay I-901 SEVIS Fee

The $350 SEVIS Fee (Form I-901) is a required payment to the U.S. government based on your I-20 SEVIS ID number. You are required to pay the SEVIS Fee before you apply for your F-1 visa. To pay the SEVIS Fee go to FMJfee.com, click on Pay I-901 Fee and complete the form using the information from your I-20. Print payment confirmation and keep it with your I-20.

Graduate Employees (GEs): If you have been offered a GE, the university will reimburse the SEVIS fee and visa fee. For more information and instructions on how to request reimbursement of the SEVIS fee and visa fee, refer to the Division of Graduate Studies website.

3

Apply for F-1 Visa

After you receive the I-20 and pay the SEVIS Fee, you will need to schedule a visa interview at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as possible. You will use the SEVIS ID to schedule the interview but you must present the printed, signed & dated copy of the I-20 you received via email to the consular officer when you attend your visa interview. You can apply for an F1 visa up to 365 days before the I-20 program start date.

Learn how to schedule your visa interview and apply for your visa at US Travel Docs. You can apply for your visa at any U.S. embassy or consulate. 

Expedited Appointments

If there are no visa appointments available prior to the start of your UO program, go ahead and schedule the first available interview date. Once you are within 60 days of the start date of your program (refer to I-20 program start date), you can then request an expedited visa appointment. 

Canadian Citizens

You do not have to apply for an F-1 visa in advance of your arrival to the U.S., but you are required to pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee (see above). 

4

Entering the U.S.

You may enter the U.S. up to 30 days before the I-20 program start date; not earlier! Arrival to the U.S. should be a smooth experience if you have everything prepared in advance.

5

F-1 Regulations

Maintaining Valid F-1 Status at the University of Oregon

While studying at the University of Oregon, you must maintain valid F-1 status. This means knowing and following mandatory F-1 visa rules and regulations at all times, including the following:

  • Study full-time each term (full-time study is 12 undergraduate credits or 9 graduate credits)
  • Enroll in at least 8 in-person credits each term (6 for graduate students)
  • Attend and pass all your classes
  • Complete your program by the program end date listed on your I-20, or talk to an international student advisor about an I-20 extension before the I-20 expires
  • Speak with an international student advisor any time you want to drop below full-time or withdraw from classes in a term
  • Maintain an unexpired passport valid for at least six months into the future at all times
  • Do not engage in unauthorized employment (work) without permission from an international student advisor or the US Citizenship and Immigration Services

International Student Advising

You should speak with an international student advisor in International Student & Scholar Services if you are planning to do any of the following:

  • Change your major, program, or degree level
  • Change your education level
  • Transfer to a new school or take a leave of absence
  • Take a break from school
  • Travel outside the United States
  • Move to a new address
  • Request an I-20 extension

Valid Passport

Your passport must have an expiration date at least six (6) months into the future when entering and studying in the US. If your passport is going to expire in less than one year but you need more time to complete your academic program, please contact your home country's embassy or consular office to renew your passport.

Valid I-20

The program end date on your I-20 should always be in the future while you are pursuing a degree in the US. If you need more time to complete your academic program, you will need to request an extension of your I-20 program end date with ISSS.

International Travel 

The first time you travel after starting your program requires that you get a travel signature on page 2 of your I-20. You cannot re-enter the U.S. from international travel without a valid travel signature verifying that you have been enrolled and are maintaining legal F1 status.

Completing or Stopping Study at the UO

You must meet with an international student advisor if you plan to stop studying at the UO or if you are completing your program of study at the UO. Once you complete your program of study at the UO, you have a 60-day grace period to prepare to leave the US, apply for Optional Practical Training, transfer your I-20, or to request a new I-20 to start a new program. Your ISSS advisors will advise you every step of the way.

Consequences of Failing to Maintain Status

Failure to maintain F-1 status may lead to serious immigration consequences. You may be required to apply for reinstatement to F-1 status; or you may be required to depart the US and re-enter on a new I-20. If you fail to maintain status, you cannot receive F-1 immigration benefits, such as travel signatures, employment, transfer, or I-20 extensions. Common reasons for failing to maintain status include: failing to extend an I-20 before it expires, under-enrollment (studying part-time), and unauthorized employment.