Visa & Travel

After receiving your OCC Form I-20, complete these steps: 

1. Review I-20 document: Verify that all information listed on your I-20 is accurate. This includes your name, program of study, program start and end dates, country of birth and citizenship, date of birth, and finances. Contact f-1.advisor@oaklandcc.edu if you need anything corrected. 
2. Sign I-20: Sign and date the student attestation section on the first page of your I-20. You will be required to present this document at your visa interview, when traveling to the United States, and when completing your immigration check-in for OCC. 
3. Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee: All students must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee. Visit I-901Fee to pay the fee. Make sure to save and print a copy of your fee payment receipt. 
4. Apply for student visa: All non-immigrants coming to the US for the purpose of studying must obtain an F-1 visa. You must apply for your visa at a US Embassy or Consulate. (Canadian citizens, see exception information at end of section)
5. Complete the online visa application: DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application. Print the application confirmation page for your records.
6. Schedule your visa interview: Visa interview appointment wait times vary by location and you should apply for your F-1 visa early. Visit the Department of State Visa Wait Times website to view your locations estimated wait time.
7. Gather required visa interview documentation:
   
   

   • Passport valid for travel to the United States: Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States (unless exempt by country-specific agreements). Each individual who needs a visa must submit a separate application, including any family members listed in your passport.

   • Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 confirmation page.

   • Application fee payment receipt, if you are required to pay before your interview.

   • Photo: You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. If the photo upload fails, you must bring one printed photo in the format explained in the Photograph Requirements. 

   • Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status-For Academic and Language Students, Form I-20 or Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (M-1) Student Status for Vocational Students, Form I-20.
   

8. Additional documentation that MAY be required and is highly recommend you prepare and bring with you: 
   
   

   • Transcripts, diplomas, degrees or certificates from schools you attended

   • Standardized test scores required by your U.S. school

   • A statement of your intent to depart the United States upon completion of the course of study

   • Proof of how you will pay all educational, living and travel costs

9. Attend visa interview:

   
   • A consular officer will interview you to determine qualification for F-1 visa. This is an interview and conversation, not a document review. 

   • It is recommended that you practice before attending your interview so that you are prepared to answer questions clearly. 

   • Be prepared to answer questions such as: Why do you want to study at Oakland Community College? What do you plan to study? Who will sponsor your education? How do you plan to use your education when you return home? What plans do you have after finishing your degree? 
   

Canadian citizens do not need visas to study or participate in an exchange program in the U.S. However, you do need to obtain an I-20 Certificate of Eligibility from OCC. Upon receipt of the I-20, you will be registered with SEVIS, the student tracking system, will be assigned a SEVIS number, and will be required to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee. When crossing the border to begin your study or exchange program in the United States, you will need to provide the Officer at the port of entry:

• A Canadian passport
• The original I-20
• SEVIS I-901 fee receipt
• Proof of ability to pay school fees and living expenses in the United States
• Proof of ties to Canada
  

You are eligible to arrive in the U.S. 30 days prior to their program start date listed on the Form I-20. When entering the U.S. you must have the following documents in your carry-on luggage (DO NOT PUT IN CHECKED BAGGAGE): 

• Valid passport 
• Valid F-1 visa
• Original I-20
• I-901 Fee receipt (recommended)
• Copy of financial support documents (recommended)
  

• Visa renewals are only completed at US Embassies and Consulates OUTSIDE the U.S. It is not possible to renew a visa in the United States. 
• Current students who travel outside the U.S. and have an expired visa will be required to obtain a new visa prior to re-entering the U.S. to continue their studies. 
• Continuing students who are outside the U.S. and require a new visa are eligible to apply at any time as long as they are maintaining their F-1/M-1 status. 

Note: that applying for a renewal or a new visa takes time and students should plan travel accordingly. 

• You are legally allowed to stay in the U.S. on an expired student visa as long as you are maintaining status and have a valid Form I-20. 
• If you depart the U.S. with an expired student visa, you will need to obtain a new F-1 visa stamp prior to returning. 
• Whether you are applying for the first time or renewing your visa, you will use the same application process. Review How to Apply. 
• Visas are only issued by a U.S. Consulate or Embassy. It is not possible to renew a visa from the United States. 

As an international student, you are eligible to arrive in the U.S. up to 30 days prior to your program start date listed on the Form I-20. 

When entering the U.S. students must have the following documents in their carry-on luggage (Do not put in checked baggage): 

• Valid passport 
• Valid F-1 visa 
• Original I-20 
• I-901 fee receipt (recommended) 
• Copy of financial support documents (recommended)
  

It is important that whenever you travel within the United States that you take identification with you. This may be your U.S. driver's license, State Issued I.D. card, or your Foreign Passport. It is not required that you have your I-20 document with you. 

F-1 students who are maintaining status are eligible to travel outside the U.S..To re-enter the U.S., all students will need to show the following documents to a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) official at the port of entry:

• Passport: Must be valid at least 6 months into the future.
  
  
• F-1 visa stamp: Must be valid for re-entry. If your visa is expired, or if you were approved for F-1 visa Change of Status with USCIS, you must apply for a new F-1 visa before returning to the U.S.
  
  
• Form I-20: Must have a Travel Endorsement (travel signature). Travel signatures are located on page 2 of the I-20 and are valid for 1 year from the date signed and valid for multiple entries. Students requiring an updated travel signature may request one in the F-1 Student Portal.

• Students (except citizens from Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan or Syria) are eligible to re-enter the United States under the Automatic Revalidation provision. 
• The provision allows F-1 students with an expired to re-enter the U.S. after a visit of 30 days or less to Canada, Mexico and adjacent islands other than Cuba with an expired F-1 visa as long as they present a valid I-20 with travel signature, printed copy of their I-94 record, and a previously issued U.S. embassy visa stamp. 
• Automatic Revalidation does not apply if you apply for a new U.S. visa while visiting Canada, Mexico or the adjacent islands, or if you travel to any other country before returning to the U.S. from Canada or Mexico.