Incoming Students Visa Checklist

student working on computer

Incoming Students Visa Checklist

Information for J-1 visa, F-1 visa, F-1 SEVIS transfer, and financial verification for graduate students. 

 

F-1 Visa Checklist

F-1 SEVIS Transfer

Financial Verification for I-20 (Graduate Only)

J-1 Visa Checklist

F-1 Visa Checklist

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 State 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 state 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 I-901 SEVIS Fee ($350) is a required payment to the U.S. government based on your I-20 SEVIS ID number. You are required to pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee before you apply for your F-1 visa.

Pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee at FMJfee.com. Print payment confirmation and keep it with your I-20.

Graduate Employees (GE) may request reimbursement of the I-901 SEVIS fee from the UO Graduate School. For reimbursement instructions, go to SEVIS Fee Reimbursement for International GEs.

3

Apply for F-1 Visa

After you receive the I-20 and pay the I-901 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 student visas page on travel.state.gov as well as the instructions at the website of the embassy or consulate where you will apply for a visa.  After you receive your visa, check to see that you received the right type of visa and that your name and date of birth are correct and match the information in your passport.

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.

Read and follow the U.S. federal immigration requirements for F-1 students.

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F-1 SEVIS Transfer

Because you are currently attending a U.S. educational institution, or are completing Optional Practical Training (OPT), you must have your active SEVIS record transferred to the UO. Contact an international student advisor at your current institution to notify them that you intend to request the transfer of your SEVIS record to the UO.

1

Notify UO of the Transfer of your SEVIS Record

ACTION REQUIRED: Download, print and complete the F-1 SEVIS Transfer-In Form and email to sevis@uoregon.edu. You and your current institution must both complete the F-1 SEVIS Transfer-In Form. Please provide your current institution with the appropriate SEVIS code for the transfer of your SEVIS record, depending on which campus you will attend. 

  • University of Oregon, Eugene campus: POO214F00001000 
  • University of Oregon, Portland campus: POO214F00001001

2

UO Transfer Policy Guidelines

• To be eligible to transfer your SEVIS record to the UO, your UO program must begin no later than 5 months after the last day of attendance at your current institution, or OPT end date. 

• You must request the transfer of your SEVIS record within the 60-day grace period following the end of your degree program or after you have ended OPT employment. If you are not graduating or on OPT, you must request the transfer of your SEVIS record before the start of the next term at your current institution.

• You will not be eligible to transfer your record to the UO if you are already outside the U.S. and have missed the 60-day grace period, or if your UO program will begin more than five months after the end of your current program, last day of attendance or OPT end date. Instead, you will receive a new “Initial Attendance” I-20 with a new SEVIS ID and will need to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee.

• Your SEVIS record must be transferred to the UO before the first day of classes.

• If you are on OPT, you will lose your OPT status as soon as your record is transferred to the UO. Therefore, you should plan the end of your OPT employment and set your SEVIS transfer date with your current institution accordingly.

3

Receiving Your UO I-20

• Your UO I-20 will be issued within three days after your SEVIS record is transferred to the UO. 

• Your I-20 will be emailed to your UO email and cannot be emailed to any other personal email outside of the university. If you have not claimed your UO email, please activate your DuckID here.

4

Printing Your I-20

The US Department of Homeland Security now allows digitally signed and e-mailed I-20s. However, you will need to print a hard copy of an e-mailed I-20 and travel with it in-hand for entry to the U.S. Digital copies, photo copies, screenshots, or presenting your electronic I-20 on your phone, tablet, or laptop will not be acceptable for any official purpose.

5

F-1 Visa and Transfer I-20

• If your visa has expired, you may remain in the U.S. as long as you have received your transfer-pending I-20 from the UO and have no plans to travel outside the U.S. within the five-month transfer period. However, you will need to renew your F-1 visa the next time you leave the U.S.

• If you are outside the U.S., you will be able to use your current, unexpired F-1 visa to re-enter the U.S., even if it has your previous school’s name printed on it.

• If you are outside the U.S. and your visa has expired or will expire before returning to the U.S., you must use your UO I-20 to renew your F-1 visa.

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Financial Verification For Graduate Students

International students who will be sponsored by the University of Oregon in F-1 or J-1 visa status must first obtain a “Certificate of Eligibility" Form I-20 or DS-2019 in order to apply for a visa, or request the transfer of an existing "active" F or J SEVIS record to the UO. Verification of a student's financial capability to pay tuition, fees and living expenses for at least the first year of study is required before Form I-20 or DS-2019 can be issued, or for an existing "active" F or J SEVIS record can be transferred to the UO.

Exception: If you meet one of the following criteria, you are not required to submit evidence of financial resources. Skip to the bottom of the page and submit page one of the Personal Information & Financial Verification Form.

  • In a non-immigrant status other than F-1 or J-1 (i.e. E2, L2, H4, J2, etc.)
  • In asylee or refugee status
  • In undocumented status
  • In US permanent resident status

1

2024 Total Estimated Cost

The total estimated cost of attendance by program, for one academic year, can be found in the table below. The figures are based on Fall 2023 costs for one academic year (summer term living costs not included.) Actual costs may be higher. You can find additional funding and employment opportunities for graduate students at the Division of Graduate Studies website. 

Submit Personal Information & Financial Verification Form

To request Form I-20, find your program below with the total estimated cost for one year, then submit the Personal Information & Financial Verification Form, found at the bottom of the page. You will be required to include your source(s) of funding/financial resources equal to or greater than the total estimated cost for your program. 

Graduate Employees: For students offered a Graduate Employee (GE) position, please submit a copy of your GE award letter with the Personal Information & Financial Verification Form. You do not need to provide additional evidence of financial support unless we contact you for additional information. For GE awards, the UO pays tuition, most fees, and 95% of the GTFF health insurance plan. (These amounts are subject to change due to ongoing negotiations between the University of Oregon and the Graduate Employee union (the Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation).

Dependents: For students bringing dependents, add $5,000 for a spouse and $2,500 for each child to the TOTAL estimated cost in the table below.

    J-1 Visa Option: If you have full funding from the UO or your home government, and plan to bring a spouse, you may prefer to apply for a J-1 visa. A spouse of a J-1 student can apply for work authorization in the U.S. and study part-time. Please email sevis@uoregon.edu for more info.  

    2024 Total Estimated Cost

    The figures are based on Fall 2023 costs for three (3) academic terms (summer term costs not included), unless indicated otherwise. Actual costs may be higher. 

    Graduate Program Tuition & Fees Living Costs

    Total Cost

    First Year
    Accounting $31,542 $23,802 $55,344l
    Advertising & Brand Management $30,303 $23,802 $54,105
    Architecture/Interior Architecture $37,935 $23,802 $61,737
    Art $22,623 $23,802 $46,425
    Arts & Sciences, All Programs $33,219 $23,802 $57,021
    Business Administration & Management, MBA $47,706 $23,802 $71,508
    Business/Finance, PhD $27,144 $23,802 $50,946
    Conflict Dispute Resolution $38,187 $23,802 $61,989
    Education, All Programs $31,914 $23,802 $55,716
    Electrochemistry MS Internship Program $19,287 $23,802 $43,089
    Finance, MSF $36,630 $23,802 $60,432
    History of Art/Architecture $31,287 $23,802 $55,089
    Historic Preservation $33,828 $23,802 $57,630
    JD $56,807 $23,802 $80,609
    Knight Campus Internship Program $19,287 $23,802 $43,089
    Knight Campus Bioengineering $32,409 $23,802 $56,211
    Landscape Architecture $33,936 $23,802 $57,738
    LL.M. $55,061 $23,802 $78,863
    Media Studies $30,303 $23,802 $54,105
    Multimedia Journalism $28,209 $23,802 $52,011
    Music & Dance, All Programs $29,397 $23,802 $53,199
    Planning, Public Policy and Management, All Programs $33,801 $23,802 $57,603
    Sports Product Design $36,954 $23,802 $60,756
    Sports Product Management $49,769 $23,802 $73,571
    Strategic Communications $28,101 $23,802 $51,903

    2

    Personal Information & Financial Verification Form

    OPTION 1 - Submit Online (only if you have claimed your Duck ID):
    Go to iconnect.uoregon.edu, click on the "LOGIN" button and login with your Duck ID and password. (Do not log in with your UO ID number.) Under Insurance and Finances, submit the "New Intl Graduate Student: Personal Information & Financial Verification Form."

    OPTION 2 - Submit via Email:
    Download and complete the Personal Information & Financial Verification Form and email, with supporting financial documents, to sevis@uoregon.edu.

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    J-1 Visa Checklist

    1

    Receive DS-2019 from ISSS

    A DS-2019 is issued by International Student & Scholar Services based on your admission to the University of Oregon and evidence of financial support. The DS-2019 is required to apply for a J-1 visa and is a required document for entry to the U.S. Keep your DS-2019 with your passport. The DS-2019 will be sent via email as a PDF file. You must print the DS-2019, sign and date in order for it to be used for official purposes.

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

    • Review your DS-2019 for accuracy. Your name and birthdate should match your passport. If corrections are necessary, email a copy of your passport to intl@uoregon.edu.
    • The DS-2019 Program State Date coincides with the start of of classes. You must plan to arrive before the DS-2019 program start date. If your arrival is delayed, please send an email to intl@uoregon.edu for instructions.
    • The DS-2019 Program End Date is an estimate and may not reflect the actual completion date of your degree program. For exchange students, the program end date is the actual end date of your program.
    • The DS-2019 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 I-901 SEVIS Fee ($220) is a required payment to the U.S. government based on your DS-2019 SEVIS ID number. You are required to pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee before you apply for your J-1 visa.

    Pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee at FMJfee.com. Print payment confirmation and keep it with your DS-2019.

    Graduate Employees (GE) may request reimbursement of the I-901 SEVIS fee from the UO Graduate School. For reimbursement instructions, go to SEVIS Fee Reimbursement for International GEs.

    3

    Apply for J-1 Visa

    After you receive the DS-2019, you may apply at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate for a J-1 visa. You must present a printed, signed & dated DS-2019 to the consular officer when you attend your visa interview.

    Learn how to schedule your visa interview and apply for your visa at student visas page on travel.state.gov as well as the instructions at the website of the embassy or consulate where you will apply for a visa.  After you receive your visa, check to see that you received the right type of visa and that your name and date of birth are correct and match the information in your passport.

    4

    Entering the U.S.

    You may enter the U.S. up to 30 days before the DS-2019 program start date; not earlier! Carry your passport and visa, DS-2019, and letter of admission. Admission to the U.S. should be a smooth experience if you have everything prepared in advance.

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