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 or DS-2019 from ISSS

An I-20 or DS-2019 is issued by International Student & Scholar Services based on your admission to the University of Oregon and submitted evidence of financial support. If you have received an I-20, you must apply for an F-1 visa. If you have received a DS-2019, you must apply for a J-1 visa.

You will receive your I-20 or DS-2019 as a PDF file via email. You must print, sign and date the document and use it to apply for your visa and enter the U.S.

  • Review your I-20 or DS-2019 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  Program Start Date coincides with the start of classes. You must enter the U.S. before the 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 Program End Date is an estimate and may not reflect the actual completion date of your program. We can adjust your program end date at any time during your program.
  • The 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

After receiving your I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1), you must pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee before applying for your U.S. student visa. You can pay your I-901 SEVIS Fee online at FMJfee.com or by using Western Union Quick Pay. You must present the receipt as proof of payment when you apply for a visa. It’s important that the SEVIS ID number on your I-901 SEVIS Fee receipt matches your SEVIS ID number on your Form I-20. If it does not, or you encounter other issues paying your fee, please contact SEVP.Learn more about the I-901 SEVIS Fee on Study in the States:

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 U.S. Visa

After paying the I-901 SEVIS Fee and getting a receipt, you must apply for a visa at any U.S. Embassy or Consulate before you come to the United States. Bring your Form I-20 and other required documents to apply for a student visa from the U.S. Department of State.A visa does not guarantee entrance to the United States; it only permits you to arrive and seek permission to enter the country. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at the U.S. port of entry has the final authority to admit entry into the country.

Learn more about the student visa process:

Refer to these links to learn how to apply for your visa:

Fees

You may have to pay more than one fee to get a US visa:

  • SEVIS Fee: $350 for F-1 and $220 for J-1
  • Visa Application Fee: $185
  • Visa Issuance or Reciprocity Fee: varies by country. Click here for more information.
  • Visa Integrity Fee (set to start October 1, 2025): $250

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 the program start date on your I-20 or DS-2019), 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). 

Expert Visa Support

ZF Visa Guides provides expert guidance for your visa interview from former visa officers. 

4

Entering the U.S.

You may enter the U.S. up to 30 days before the program start date on your I-20 or DS-2019; not earlier! Arrival to the U.S. should be a smooth experience if you have everything prepared in advance.

5

F-1 & J-1 Regulations

Maintaining Valid F-1 or J-1 Status at the University of Oregon

While studying at the University of Oregon, you must maintain legal status. This means knowing and following mandatory 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 DS-2019, or talk to an international student advisor about an extension before your document 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 or DS-2019

The program end date on your I-20 or DS-2019 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.

International Travel 

The first time you travel after starting your program requires that you get a travel signature on your I-20 or DS-2019. 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 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 30-day grace period to prepare to leave the US, apply for F-1 optional practical training or J-1 academic training, transfer, start a new program or change your status. Your ISSS advisors will advise you every step of the way.

Consequences of Failing to Maintain Status

Failure to maintain legal status may lead to serious immigration consequences. You may be required to apply for reinstatement to legal status; or you may be required to depart the US and re-enter on a new visa. If you fail to maintain status, you will not be eligible for immigration benefits, such as travel signatures, employment, transfers, or 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.