Office of International Programs (OIP)


Visa and Immigration


What is a Visa

A citizen of a foreign country, wishing to enter the United States, generally must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. The type of visa one must have is defined by U.S. immigration law, and relates to the purpose of the travel.

A nonimmigrant visa is most frequently a tourist, business, student, or specialty worker visa that will permit the applicant to stay for a particular period of time in the United States to accomplish a specific purpose. Non-immigrant visas are for people with permanent residence outside the U.S. but wish to be in the U.S. on a temporary basis - for tourism, business, temporary/specialty work, study, or medical treatment.

An immigrant visa is for a person who intends to live permanently in the U.S.

A visa does not guarantee entry to the U.S. A visa simply indicates that a U.S. consular officer has reviewed your application, and that the officer has determined you are eligible to apply for entry to the country for a specific purpose.

See also: Travel > F-1 Visa, I-94 and I-20 > F-1 Visa

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What is an F-1/Nonimmigrant Visa

You will need a student (F-1) visa to enter the United States to study. You should apply for the visa at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country using the I-20 that you received from SF State. If you have been accepted by several U.S. colleges or universities, do not apply for your F-1 student visa until you decide which school you will attend. Current U.S. Immigration Service regulations require that you only use the I-20 from the school that you plan to attend to enter the U.S. or to apply for a new F-1 student visa.

See also: Travel > F-1 Visa, I-94 and I-20 > F-1 Visa

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What is SEVIS

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) manages the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). SEVP is a program under the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

SEVIS is an electronic means of providing information to the U.S. Government on all F-1, M-1, J-1 students, scholars and their dependents. It is also a system for tracking a student鈥檚 immigration history. Schools are required to use SEVIS for the following purposes:
  • Issuing I-20 forms to students
  • Recommending off-campus employment
  • Maintaining up-to-date records on the status of each student

 

See also: SEVIS website(www.ice.gov/sevis)

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What is an I-20

The I-20 is an official U.S. government form. A prospective nonimmigrant student must have an I-20 issued by an SEVP-certified school in order to become F-1 or M-1 student.

Only an SEVP-certified school can issue a I-20 to students that have been accepted for enrollment. It acts as proof of acceptance and contains the information that is needed to pay the $200 SEVIS I-901 fee; apply for a visa or change of status, and admission into the United States.

The I-20 has the student鈥檚 unique SEVIS identification (ID) number on the upper right hand side directly above the barcode. SEVIS ID numbers are an N followed by 9 digits.

See also: Travel > F-1 Visa, I-94 and I-20 > I-20

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SEVIS Fee

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires that all individuals entering the U.S. in F-1 student status pay a $200.00 SEVIS I-901 fee to cover the costs for the continued operation of the SEVIS program. Please note that the SEVIS fee is a U.S. Government fee paid directly to DHS. It is not a University fee and does not provide any funds or services to San Francisco State University.

All new international students entering the U.S. in F-1 status for the first time to begin a new program and who have an "initial attendance" I-20 will need to pay a non-refundable $200.00 SEVIS I-901 fee and show evidence of a fee payment (paper receipt) BEFORE applying for an F-1 student visa at the U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country. Canadian students must show the SEVIS payment receipt when they enter the U.S.

Before you can pay the SEVIS fee, you will need to receive a I-20 from SF State. Upon the receipt of the I-20, you may then complete a U.S. government Form I-901, "Fee Remittance Form for Certain F, M, and J Non-immigrants" and pay the SEVIS fee. The fee may be paid over the Internet using a credit card, at a Western Union Agent location using their Quick Pay service, or by mail using a check or money order payable in U.S. dollars and drawn on a U.S. bank. Your family members may also pay the SEVIS fee on your behalf if you do not have a credit card or access to the Internet.

SEVIS fee payment, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), and Instruction site http://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/

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Canadian Citizens

Canadian citizens do not need visa stamps to enter the U.S., but they do have to show the I-20 and proof of sufficient financial resources at the port of entry to the U.S. in order to obtain status as an F-1 international student. Canadian students must show the SEVIS fee payment receipt when they enter the U.S.

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How to Apply for an F-1 Visa

Contact your local U.S. Consulate or Embassy to ask about how to get an F-1 international student visa. A list of Consulates and Embassies can be found at http://usembassy.state.gov/

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Preparing for the Visa Interview

U.S Department of State - Student Visas: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1268.html

Education USA - Prepare for the Student Visa
http://www.educationusa.info/pages/students/visa.php

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What to Expect

ICE: Arriving at a U.S. Port of Entry- What a Student Can Expect
http://www.ice.gov/sevis/factsheet/100104ent_stdnt_fs.htm

Arrival Departure Record Forms (I-94)

The 1-94 (Arrival and Departure record), is your permission to remain in the U.S. It is a small white card, part of a longer form that you completed on the plane during your flight to the U.S.

If Arriving By Air: Flight attendants will distribute Customs Declaration Forms (CF-6059) and Arrival Departure Record Forms (I-94). These must be completed prior to landing.

If Arriving By Land or Sea: The CBP Officer at the port of entry will provide the necessary Customs Declaration Forms (CF-6059) and Arrival-Departure Record Forms (I-94) to be filled out upon your arrival.

Instruction for completing an I-94

Importance of Your Arrival Date
U.S. Immigration Service regulations do not allow new students to arrive in the U.S. earlier than 30 days before the program start date (See section 5 of the I-20)


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Airport Transportation

San Francisco Airport (http://www.flysfo.com/web/page/index.jsp) and Oakland Airport (http://www.flyoakland.com) both serve many international airlines. The Bay Area Rapid Transit system BART (http://www.bart.gov) is the cheapest public transportation option, but door-to-door shuttles are also very convenient


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Government and Advisory Links

Foreign Consular Offices in the United States
http://www.state.gov/s/cpr/rls/fco/

Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE)
http://www.ice.gov/index.htm

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS)
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis


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