New Students

Current Students

NEW STUDENTS

New Transfer Students click here

Apply to the UO

In order to study at the University of Oregon you will first need to apply for admission and be admitted. If you are a graduate student you may be accepted by your academic department before the UO Office of Admissions officially admits you.

Receive your I-20 or DS-2019

After you are admitted by the UO Office of Admissions, you will receive an immigration document from the University of Oregon. Most students will receive an I-20 to apply for an F-1 visa. Exchange and sponsored students may receive a DS-2019 to apply for a J-1 visa. This usually only takes a week or two to arrive by express mail once you are admitted. If you have questions please email the SEVIS Coordinator at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Pay the SEVIS Fee

When you receive your I-20 or DS-2019 immigration document from the UO you must pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee online. You can pay the fee online using a credit card. Remember to print the receipt page from the website when you pay the fee; this is your proof of payment. You may also pay using Western Union. For questions about the SEVIS fee or payment types, visit the SEVIS fee website.

The SEVIS I-901 Fee is collected by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for the operation and maintenance of the SEVIS program. As of October 27, 2008, the SEVIS Fee for F-1 students is $200, and the SEVIS Fee for J-1 students is $180. UO does not receive any portion of this fee. You must pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee at least 3 business days before your visa interview.

Visa Interview

Now you are ready for your visa interview. Visa procedures may be different for each U.S. consulate or embassy. Check with the office where you will apply to determine exactly what documents and fees are required. In general the following documents are required to apply for a F-1 or J-1 visa:

• Completed visa application form
• Proof of SEVIS Fee payment
• I-20 or DS-2019 immigration document
• Valid passport (valid for at least 6 months from the start date of your academic program)
• 2" x 2"passport-style photograph for the visa
• Financial documents: you must prove that you have the amount shown on the I-20 or DS-2019. Examples of financial documentation include bank statements, letters from government or sponsor, scholarship award letter, GTF contract, etc.
• Notice of Admission from the UO
• Evidence of continuing ties to your home country, such as family, career or property). Your visa will be denied unless you satisfy the consular officer that you will return home. Unfortunately, there is no single explanation, document, or letter than can guarantee visa issuance.

Visit the U.S. Department of State at to read about the visa application process. For many locations you must schedule your interview weeks in advance.

Visa Security and Name Checks

Certain students may become subject to an additional name check and security clearance procedure before being issued a visa. This can take several weeks. Visa applicants affected include (but may not be limited to) male students between the ages of 16 and 45 from one of the following countries:

Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen, and students in certain areas of study. Please factor this extra time into your planned visa processing time if you believe you may belong to an affected group.

Entering the U.S.

Click here to read information from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) website about arriving at a U.S. port of entry.

US-VISIT Program

The US-VISIT program, operational at most major U.S. airports and seaports, tracks foreign visitors to the U.S. through the use of biometrics (measurable, physical characteristics used to recognize identities such as fingerprints and facial features).

When students and their dependents in F or J status enter the U.S., immigration officers continue to review their travel documents (i.e. passport, SEVIS I-20 or DS-2019, visa, etc.) In addition, they take the non-immigrant's fingerprints (with inkless fingerprint scanner) and a digital photograph of the face.

When non-immigrants depart the U.S., they are required to "check out" at an exit kiosk at the port of departure. The exit procedures have not been fully implemented. Non-immigrants are expected to complete the exit procedures where the exit kiosks and attendants are available in some major U.S. ports.

Special Registration (NSEERS)

Under Special Registration (NSEERS: National Security Entry-Exit Registration System), non-immigrants from certain countries are required to:

1. Register with immigration authorities at a port of entry.
2. Report to DHS for additional in-person interviews if instructed by the Port-of-Entry official.
3. Notify immigration authorities of changes of residential address by updating address in UO Duckweb.
4. Use specially designated ports when leaving the U.S. and report in person to an immigration officer at the port on their departure date.

Male citizens or nationals of the following countries are required to comply with the Special Registration:

Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan, Syria

CURRENT STUDENTS

How to Stay in Legal Visa Status

As an international student with an F-1 or J-1 visa, you must maintain legal status while you are in the U.S.:

• Maintain a full course of study (12 credits for undergraduates, 9 credits for graduates). For more information see Reduced Course Load.
• Keep your local U.S. ("mailing") and home country ("permanent") addresses updated in Duckweb. The UO SEVIS Coordinator uses your Duckweb information to update your F-1 or J-1 SEVIS record.
• Do not let your I-20 or DS-2019 expire! F-1 students see Extension of I-20 for more information. J-1 students see Extensions of Stay.
• Before travel outside of the U.S., see our Travel web page for all the information you need.
• Apply for OPT or Academic Training (work benefits after graduation) before you graduate. For more information see Optional Practical Training (OPT) (for F-1 students) or Employment for J1 Students.
• Notify the Office of International Affairs if you plan to leave the UO without graduating. We must take care of your SEVIS record so that you will not have problems traveling in the U.S. in the future. For more information see Departure or Leave of Absence.

Questions? Please contact our office by This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone at (541) 346-3206. We are here to help you maintain legal status.

To Apply for a New Visa

Visa procedures may be different for each U.S. consulate or embassy. For many locations you must schedule your interview weeks in advance. Check with the office where you will apply to determine the wait times for visa appointments, and exactly what documents and fees are required.

In general the following documents are required to apply for a F-1 or J-1 visa:

• Completed visa application form
• Proof of SEVIS Fee payment (you only need to pay this if you are getting a new SEVIS ID)
• I-20 or DS-2019 immigration document
• Valid passport (valid for at least 6 months from the start date of your academic program)
• 2" x 2"passport-style photograph for the visa
• Financial documents: you must prove that you have the amount shown on the I-20 or DS-2019. Examples of financial documentation include bank statements, letters from government or sponsor, scholarship award letter, GTF contract, etc.
• Notice of Admission from the UO
• Evidence of continuing ties to your home country, such as family, career or property). Your visa will be denied unless you satisfy the consular officer that you will return home. Unfortunately, there is no single explanation, document, or letter than can guarantee visa issuance.

Visit the U.S. Department of State online at http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1268.html to read about the visa application process.

Appying for a Change of Visa Status

Security and Name Checks

Certain students may become subject to an additional name check and security clearance procedure before being issued a visa. This can take several weeks. Visa applicants affected include (but may not be limited to) male students between the ages of 16 and 45 from one of the following countries: Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen, and students in certain areas of study. Please factor this extra time into your planned visa processing time if you believe you may belong to an affected group.