Passports and Visas
You will need a passport from your government and a visa from the
United States Embassy/Consulate to enter the United States. The visas most frequently
granted to applicants are described below. You should apply for
a passport as soon as possible, although in some countries it is
necessary to provide proof of admission to a United States school
before a passport will be granted.
To apply for a visa, take your passport and Certificate of Eligibility
(Form I-20 or DS-2019), issued by the UC campus you will attend,
plus proof of adequate financial support for your studies and living
expenses, to the nearest United States Embassy/Consulate. U.S. government
regulations require that you use only the I-20 or DS-2019 issued
by the University campus you wish to attend. If you are sponsored
by an international agency, then the specific University campus
should be listed on the form. Failure to follow these instructions
will jeopardize your stay in the United States and enrollment at
the University.
International students who apply for a student visa using an initial attendance Form I-20 or DS-2019 will need to complete form I-901 and pay a SEVIS (Student Exchange Visitor Information System) fee to the Department of Homeland Security prior to the student visa interview. The SEVIS fee is in addition to the Department of State’s visa application fee, which is $100. The U.S. Embassy/Consulate will have the latest SEVIS fee information, and may be able to advise you of any changes in immigration law that might affect your stay in the United States. For additional information, you may contact the International Students Advisor at the campus you are interested in attending.
Students coming directly from another country on a student visa (F-1) are limited to entering the United States no earlier than 30 days before their I-20 start date. Students already in school in the U.S. are not subject to this requirement; please see your current school’s international office for details.
When
you arrive at the University campus where you plan to study, you
will be required to show your passport, visa and other travel documents.
The name on the passport you use to enter the United States must
match the name given on the application for admission. Consult the
International Student Advisor on campus about where you should present
the documents. The International Student Advisor will also advise
you on the laws and regulations that affect your stay in the United
States. Most UC campuses have a new international student orientation, which adresses immigration regulations and maintaining student status.
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Student Visa (F-1)
If you are coming to the United States with the primary purpose of enrolling full time in a program of study, and your funding is from private family sources, this is likely to be the visa you should use. To apply for this visa, you must first decide which university you plan to attend. Then you should present to the U.S. consul a Form I-20 Certificate of Eligibility from the university you wish to attend, documentation that you have sufficient financial resources, your letter of admission and proof of payment of the SEVIS fee. It may also be helpful to present a copy of your TOEFL score report, proof of professional and/or economic ties that would compel you to return to your home country and any forms or materials that document your previous studies in the United States. Undergraduate students holding this visa must carry at least 12 units of classwork each quarter or semester. Graduate-level F-1 students must also carry 12 credits per quarter or 9 credits per semester, or be certified as carrying the equivalent of a full course of study by the dean of the Graduate Division. The accompanying spouse or child (under 21 years of age) of an F-1 student enters the United States on an F-2 Dependent visa. F-1 students are permitted to work part time on campus. F-2 visa holders are not permitted to accept employment.
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Exchange Visitor
Visa (J-1)
This visa is often used by international faculty and post-doctoral research scholars. It is also used by students who are financially supported by government agencies, foundations, organizations or universities. If you have been offered a fellowship or other award covering your educational expenses, consult the International Student Advisor on the campus to which you are applying to determine your eligibility to apply for the J-1 visa. If you qualify, the Form DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility will be sent to you. Application procedures require the same documentation described in the F-1 section above (Form DS-2019, evidence of financial resources, letter of admission, SEVIS fee payment and related materials). J-1 visa holders who hold any form of government scholarship or who are developing skills seriously needed in their home countries are 1) required to reside in their home countries for two years following completion of their studies before they can apply for H, L or permanent resident status; and 2) prevented from changing to another visa type once in the USA. The accompanying spouse or child (under 21 years of age) of a J-1 Exchange Visitor student enters on a J-2 Dependent visa. J-1 Exchange Visitor students may seek work authorization for part-time employment from their International Student Advisors. J-2 Dependents may apply to the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Service for authorization to accept employment in the United States.
Visitor's Visa
(B-2) and Business Visitor (B-1)
The B-2 visa is intended for tourists coming to the United States; the B-1 visa is intended for those coming to do business. Students or exchange visitors who have been admitted to the University are prohibited from enrolling while in B-2 or B-1 visitor status; they must first obtain F-1 or J-1 status. For all practical purposes, changing from B-1 or B-2 status is no longer possible while in the United States. You will probably have to leave, apply for a F-1 or J-1 visa and then reenter the United States. Always discuss your plans with your International Student Advisor before taking any such action.
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Visa Waiver
It is possible for citizens of certain countries to come to the United States without a visa if they have definite plans to leave within 90 days of arrival. Do not enter the United States in this manner. You will not be permitted to extend your stay or change your status under any conditions.
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