your f-1 student journey: a step-by-step guide for new international students

Please ensure that all travel documents are kept in your carry-on luggage and NOT in the checked baggage. Having immediate access to your visa and necessary travel documents during transit is essential.

PASSPORT

Your passport must remain valid for at least six months beyond your intended date of entry or re-entry into the United States. If your passport is nearing expiration, please contact your country's embassy located in the United States for assistance.

US ENTRY VISA

The visa stamp in your passport must be valid on your date of return to the United States. If your current passport has expired but contains a valid U.S. entry visa, you are not required to obtain a new visa stamp, provided that you carry both your expired and current passports when entering the United States.

PROOF OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT

It is highly advised that F/J nonimmigrants carry documentation verifying their financial support and resources as indicated on the Form I-20 or DS-2019. Acceptable proof includes bank statements or financial support letters dated within the past six months.

I-20 OR DS-2019 (F-1/F-2, J-1/J-2 DOCUMENTS

Please ensure that your original Form I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1) has been properly endorsed by the authorized school official or issuing agency. For current F and J students and scholars, a travel endorsement on the I-20 or DS-2019 remains valid for twelve months or until the expiration date of the document, whichever occurs first.

Following a visa interview, the consular officer may require additional information before reaching a decision on the visa application. In such cases, the application may be placed under administrative processing. Students will receive a document from the embassy indicating that their application has been refused pursuant to Section 221(g) while it undergoes administrative processing. The embassy may request the provision of additional documentation from the student as needed.

Due to the high volume of requests and correspondence we receive daily from current and prospective students, we appreciate your patience as we process your I‑20. We strive to issue I‑20s in the order received and to assess urgent situations accordingly. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation during this process.

According to the instructions from the Department of State (DOS) it is not permissible to schedule a visa appointment without first providing your SEVIS number and associated program information. Additionally, the SEVIS fee corresponding to that number must be paid prior to scheduling the appointment.

To prevent further issues with your visa processing or the cancellation of an existing embassy appointment, we strongly recommend that you wait until your I-20 has been processed by our office and received before attempting to schedule an embassy appointment.

We will process I-20 requests in the order in which they are received. Please be aware that we handle a high volume of requests daily. Rest assured; we are committed to processing all I-20s as soon as possible once we have received all the necessary documentation.

Submitting incomplete or inaccurate documentation may delay the processing of your request. Additional time may be required for review and follow-up. Please ensure that all necessary information and documents are complete and accurate prior to submitting your request to facilitate a smooth process.

The majors available at the University of Utah are aligned with standardized Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) codes, which are utilized by the U.S. Department of Education for reporting and record-keeping purposes. The description associated with your major's CIP code appears under the 'Major' section on your I-20. Please note that this description may not always precisely correspond to the official name of your program of study.

Once your I-20 Certificate of Eligibility has been processed, you will receive an email at your Umail or alternative email address provided. This email will include instructions on how to access, print, and sign the I-20 document required for your embassy appointment or travel. Please be advised that it is necessary to print and sign the I-20 document prior to your appointment or travel.

If you are currently in the United States in active F-1 status, please note that the transfer release date is the date on which your I-20 record will be electronically transmitted in SEVIS to the University of Utah. This date can be scheduled for a future time within SEVIS. On the transfer release date, your previous institution will no longer have access to your I-20 record, and the University of Utah will gain immediate access.

The transfer release date you select is influenced, in part, by whether you are completing a degree program or OPT prior to transferring. At the University of Utah, classes must commence within five months of either your last day attending classes at your previous institution or the end date of your post-completion OPT.

After Initial Entry to the U.S. 

• Upon arrival in the United States, please report to the educational institution that issued your I-20 form.
• If there is a period exceeding 30 days between your entry into the United States and the commencement of classes at the University of Utah, you may need to re-register at your original educational institution before proceeding.

During Your Degree 

• Generally, if you are transferring during your degree program, your release date should be scheduled between semesters or terms.
• If you are employed on campus, please be aware that your work authorization for the institution will conclude on the transfer release date.
• If you are employed on campus, your work authorization for that institution will end on the date of the transfer release.

After Graduation

• Your I-20 record must be transferred to the University of Utah within 60 days of completing your degree.
• If you depart the United States during your grace period without applying for post-completion OPT, your F-1 status will end, and you will no longer be eligible to transfer your I-20 record.

During Post-Completion OPT  

• Your record may be transferred either right before your OPT ends or within 60-day grace period.

Note: Please consult with an international student advisor (Designated School Official) at your current institution to obtain information regarding your eligibility, release date, and the procedures for requesting a SEVIS transfer to the University of Utah.

• Select a transfer release date to ensure that you do not accrue more than the maximum allowable days of unemployment (90 days for post-completion OPT and 150 days for STEM OPT)

We verify that the name on your I-20 matches the name listed in the Machine-Readable Zone of your passport (located in the bottom two lines).

Please visit our website at: https://admissions.utah.edu/apply/international/i-20-information/  for comprehensive information regarding the necessary documentation required for I-20 purposes. Please note that submitting incomplete or inaccurate documents and information may delay the processing of your request. Additional time may be required for review and for returning to your submission. It is essential that all required information and documentation are accurate and complete prior to submitting your request.

Yes, you can defer your application to a future term, provided that the deadline for requesting deferment for that term has not yet passed. Detailed information regarding the deferral process can be found on the University of Utah’s official website here: https://admissions.utah.edu/information-resources/deferment/

To facilitate the timely arrival of international students prior to the commencement of the academic term, please adhere to the following deadlines:

Spring

November 1 For students currently outside of the US

December 19 For students currently residing in the US

Summer

April 1 For students currently outside the US

May 1 For students currently residing in the US

Fall

June 1 for students currently in the US

August 1 For students currently residing in the US

For more information, please go here:

https://admissions.utah.edu/apply/international/i-20-information/

1. Pay the non-refundable SEVIS I-901 Fee. Department of Homeland Security - Form I-901

• Only students with a new SEVIS number are required to pay the fee
• Print the receipt as proof of payment for your visa interview

2. Complete the Online DS-160 application

• Once completed, print the application form confirmation page to bring to your visa interview.
• You will be required to upload a photo to complete the application.

3. Schedule Visa Interview

Schedule a visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study/student-visa.html#documentation

Please ensure you bring all necessary documents with you to the appointment, including:

• Passport
• Nonimmigrant Visa Application (Form DS-160)
• Application Fee payment receipt
• I-20 Certificate of Eligibility
• Additional documents may be required. Review instructions on the website of the Embassy or Consulate where you will apply.

4. Once the visa is issued, Register for the international Student Orientation

• All international students (F-1 or J-1 student visa) are required to attend International Student Orientation during their first semester at the University of Utah.
• Students who have not been enrolled at the University for three consecutive semesters or more must attend this orientation again.
• For more information, please visit the International Student and Scholar Services website.

• copy of the biographical page of your passport
• Proof of funding that shows coverage for the University of Utah annual estimated expenses
• Affidavit of support, if the proof of funding is not on your name
• Home country address (foreign address) information, if not indicated on application
• Phone number (if not indicated on application)
• S. address (only for students transferring from another U.S. university/school)
• Completed International Transfer Form with released SEVIS record (only for students transferring from another U.S. university/school)
• If you have any dependents, their passports and additional proof of funding of $6,000 USD per dependent.

Upon admission, you will be required to submit a financial statement to complete your enrollment process and obtain your I-20. We recommend submitting the financial documentation promptly after admission to ensure ample time for your visa application and travel arrangements to the United States.

 Dependents are limited to immediate family members, defined as your spouse and children. Parents, grandparents, siblings, nieces, and nephews do not qualify as dependents. For each dependent accompanying you, you must provide additional documentation to demonstrate the availability of $6,000 in funding per individual.

Yes. While the estimate for living expenses is based on rates for on-campus housing, it is reasonable to expect similar (or potentially higher) costs if residing off campus. Therefore, the living expenses figure provided serves as an estimate applicable to both on- and off-campus living arrangements.

F-2 dependents are permitted to enroll, but they are not authorized to pursue a full course of study. If you are in F-2 visa status and wish to engage in full-time study, you must change your status to an F-1 visa or another appropriate visa category that allows full-time enrollment.

You may submit an application for a Change of Level I-20 once you have been admitted to the new program. Grades for the previous degree must be posted and the degree requirements met. The application must be filed at least three weeks before the conclusion of your 60-day grace period.

No, both your current and Change of Level I-20s share the same SEVIS ID number; therefore, you are not required to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee again. Additionally, there is no need to renew your visa unless it has already expired and you plan to travel outside of the United States.

Your Optional Practical Training (OPT) authorization will be automatically discontinued upon enrollment in a new educational program at a higher level.