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University of Florida

Visa Process

Prospective international students who reside abroad are required to obtain an F-1 visa from a U.S Embassy or Consulate General's Office to enter the U.S.

  1. Wait to receive the admission letter and I-20 from the school the student plans to attend.
  2. Pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee using one of the three methods indicated by SEVP. After payment, the applicant will receive a receipt to have for the visa interview. In the event the applicant pays the fee using the I-20 from one school but later decides to attend a different school, a transfer of the payment can be requested. To transfer a payment made on one SEVIS ID to another SEVIS ID, follow the instructions on the I-901 SEVIS Fee page.
  3. Submit the DS-160 Visa Application and fee. The fee is paid when theDS-160 Visa Application is submitted. Please save a copy of the Form DS-160 in PDF format. This form is only accessible for 30 days from the date of completion/submission to the US Embassy or Consulate. We will request this form as part of the online check-in documents.
    • New Students coming from abroad: 
      Save a copy of your DS-160.
    • New Students to UF, already in the U.S. with an F-1 visa:
      If you are in the U.S., will do a SEVIS transfer, and have an unexpired F-1 visa, you do not need a new DS-160. But if you need to travel to renew the F-1 visa, save a copy of your DS-160.
    • New or Current Students changing from another visa category to the F-1 visa category:
      If you are in the U.S., and will file a Change of Status case with USCIS, you do not need a DS-160. But if you will travel abroad to apply for the F-1 visa, save a copy of your DS-160.
  4. Schedule the visa appointment. A visa appointment should not be scheduled until after receiving the I-20.  If an appointment is scheduled too early, the student may need to cancel or reschedule the appointment if the I-20 is not received on time.
  5. Prepare the documents necessary for the visa application, which may include: 
    • valid passport for the applicant and any accompanying dependents
    • proof of funds to support studies for at least the first year in the U.S.
    • admission letter and I-20 from the school the student will attend
    • receipt for the I-901 (SEVIS Fee)
    • DS-160 Visa Application form and applicable fees. Please save a copy of the Form DS-160 in PDF format.

      The above is not an all-inclusive list. Different embassies and consulates may have slightly different requirements. It is important to check directly with the embassy or consulate where the student will apply to make sure the applicant has all the required documentation prior to attending the visa interview. 

  6. Prepare to demonstrate ties to the home country. The applicant should be prepared to prove that he/she does not intend to immigrate to the U.S. and has ties to his/her home country. Evidence that may be helpful to prove ties to the home country includes: letters of intent to continue employment upon return, documentation of economic, social and/or family ties to the homeland, post-graduation plans for the future in the homeland, etc.

Canadian and Bermudian students: are not required to obtain an F-1 visa. The F-1 status should be indicated on the I-94 record. Contact the local United States Embassy or Consulate for details.

For additional questions directly related to the F-1 visa application, the applicant should contact the United States Embassy or Consulate where he or she will apply. 

Contact Us

If you cannot attend your specific F-1 advisor’s Virtual Office Hours, you may send your questions by email using the Contact Us form. Your F-1 advisor will reply to your email.