Admitted International Students

Pre-Departure

Understanding F Visas

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) oversees the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).

F-1 Student Visa & I-20

The F-1 visa is the most common student visa for international students studying in the United States. Students who are admitted to a full-time degree program at the University of the Pacific and submit all required financial documentation will receive a Form I-20, the official document needed to apply for an F-1 student visa. Once issued, your Form I-20 will be available for download from your Tiger Connect portal.

Once you receive your Form I-20, you may schedule a visa appointment and apply for your F-1 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country. If you have questions about the I-20 process or required documentation, please contact the Office of Admission.

F-2 Dependents

If your spouse and/or children will accompany you to the United States while you study at the University of the Pacific, you may request a dependent Form I-20 for each eligible family member. Additional financial documentation is required to demonstrate sufficient funding for your dependents. Instructions for requesting dependent I-20s will be provided after you receive your admission offer, or you may contact the Office of Admission for assistance.

Other Non-immigrant Visa Types

While the F-1 visa is the most common visa for international students at the University of the Pacific, some students may be eligible to study in the United States under a different nonimmigrant visa category. Eligibility to study varies by visa type. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program provides guidance on which nonimmigrant visa categories permit part-time or full-time study in the United States.

Student Visa Application Process

1. Download your I20 from your Tiger Connect Portal
2. Pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee 
   1. Every international student or exchange visitor who wishes to begin an “initial” program of study or research is required to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee to the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
   2. Student will need information from their University of the Pacific I-20 when paying the fee
   3. Print the fee payment receipt to present at the visa interview and at the US Port of Entry
3. Complete the DS-160 Visa Application 
   1. Use only the “BACK” and “NEXT” buttons that are part of the application and not the web browser’s back and next arrows
   2. Be as accurate as possible with any questions asked and DO NOT submit the application until it is complete
   3. At the end of the online application, print the confirmation page with barcode that is required for all phases of the interview
   4. The US Department of State provides additional guidance on completing the DS-160
4. Schedule and Complete your Visa Interview 
   1. To obtain the most current and accurate information on the visa application and interview process, international students should review the website of the US consulate or embassy where they will schedule their visa interview.
   2. We recommend setting your social media accounts to “public,” as the U.S. Department of State now reviews publicly available social media content as part of the visa screening and vetting process. Keeping your profiles public can help avoid delays or additional scrutiny during processing
5. Arrive at a US airport and clear customs at a US Port of Entry with the following documents:
   1. Original I-20/DS-2019
   2. Valid passport
   3. F-1/J-1 student visa stamp in passport*
   4. SEVIS Fee Payment Receipt
   5. Financial documents consistent with I-20/DS-2019

Note for Canadian citizens: Canadian citizens are not required to obtain an F-1 visa to enter the United States in F-1 student status. However, they must still have a valid Form I-20, pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee, and present the required documents at the U.S. port of entry.

Required Documents

While document requirements may vary by U.S. embassy or consulate, most F-1 visa applicants should be prepared to present the following:

• Original Form I-20 issued by the University of the Pacific
• DS-160 confirmation page with barcode
• Passport valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay in the United States (unless exempt by country-specific agreements)
• Passport-style photograph, if required by the U.S. embassy or consulate
• Visa application (MRV) fee payment receipt, if applicable
• SEVIS I-901 Fee payment receipt

• Financial documents demonstrating sufficient funding for the amount listed on your Form I-20

   

Additional Supporting Documents

You may also be asked to provide:

• Official transcripts, diplomas, or certificates from previously attended schools
• English proficiency or standardized test scores, if applicable

• Documentation demonstrating your intent to return to your home country after completing your studies, such as evidence of family, employment, property, or other ties

   

Students Traveling with Dependents

If your spouse or children will apply for F-2 visas, they should also be prepared to provide:

• Proof of your relationship, such as a marriage certificate or birth certificates
• Copies of the F-1 student’s passport, visa (if issued), and Form I-20
• Dependent Forms I-20 issued by the University of the Pacific

Whenever possible, family members should apply for their visas at the same time as the F-1 student.

Plan Ahead

Visa interview appointments may be limited during peak travel periods, especially from June through August. Schedule your appointment as early as possible to allow enough time for visa processing before your program begins.

Because visa requirements and procedures may vary by country, always review the website of the U.S. embassy or consulate where you will apply before your interview.

Preparing for Your Visa Interview

Once you have scheduled your F-1 visa interview, we encourage you to review NAFSA's 10 Points to Remember When Applying for a Student Visa. This resource provides practical guidance on preparing for your interview, including what to expect, how to discuss your academic plans, and what supporting documentation you may need.

Please note that visa requirements and procedures may vary by country. Always review the website of the U.S. embassy or consulate where you will apply for the most current instructions.

Transferring Your F-1 SEVIS Record to the University of the Pacific

If you are currently studying at another U.S. institution in valid F-1 status and plan to transfer to the University of the Pacific, you must request that your current school transfer your SEVIS record to Pacific.

To complete your transfer, you must:

• Be admitted to the University of the Pacific.
• Complete and submit the required I-20 Transfer Form, which can be found on the Tiger Connect portal.
• Ask the Designated School Official (DSO) at your current school to release your SEVIS record to the University of the Pacific on your agreed-upon transfer release date.

Once your SEVIS record has been released and all required documents have been received, the University of the Pacific will issue your transfer-pending Form I-20.

Traveling Before You Begin at Pacific

If you plan to travel outside the United States after your SEVIS record has been transferred but before classes begin at Pacific, you should carry the following documents when re-entering the United States:

• Valid passport (recommended to be valid for at least six months beyond your date of entry)
• Valid F-1 visa (unless exempt, such as Canadian citizens)
• Transfer-pending Form I-20 issued by the University of the Pacific
• SEVIS I-901 Fee payment receipt (recommended)

You do not need to apply for a new F-1 visa solely because you are transferring schools, as long as your current F-1 visa remains valid. If your visa has expired, you will need to obtain a new F-1 visa before returning to the United States.