10 Important Steps for NEW F-1 and J-1 International Students

1. Applying to the IELP:
When applying to PSU's Intensive English Language Program (IELP) all international students must submit, together with their IELP application, financial documents demonstrating proof of financial support to cover their tuition and living expenses for the duration for their studies at PSU.

2. Will you bring family members with you?
In order for you to bring immediate family members (wife, husband and/or children) to the U.S., you must document sufficient financial resources to adequately support their stay. Once PSU receives and reviews your financial documents, the IELP Office/PSU will issue an I-20 or DS-2019 form for your dependents (wife, husband, and/or children).

Note: Obtaining a J-2 or F-2 visa in your home country depends upon the political relations between the U.S. government and your home country's government. ISS cannot guarantee that the appropriate visas will be issued to your family.

3. IELP Admission Documents:
After receiving your application and documents, the PSU IELP Office will send you an I-20 Form and a letter of acceptance within one month.

After receiving the I-20 Form or DS-2019 Form, you should read it carefully then sign it. By signing it, a student agrees to abide by the US immigration regulations for that particular visa category.

4. SEVIS Fee:
After receiving your I-20 Form, you must pay a $200 SEVIS Fee to the US government. You can do this online at www.fmjfee.com/index.jhtml. Or look at www.ice.gov/sevis for more detailed visa information.

5. Visa:
After receiving your I-20 Form, set up a visa interview at the nearest US Embassy or US consulate office in your country. At the time of your visa interview you will be required to show proof of payment of the SEVIS fee.  Please click here for additional information regarding visa forms, the application process, and the visa interview process.

6. Travel plans:
After a student's visa is approved he/she can then make travel plans to come to PSU. International students can arrive in the US up to 30 days before the start of classes.

7. Entering the United States:
(A) The visa stamp in your passport allows you to enter the United States in a specific immigration category or status. The F-1 or J-1 visa stamp notifies the U.S. government that you wish to enter the US as either an F-1 or J-1 student.

(B) When you enter the U.S., and pass through the US Immigration station, you will need to present the I-20 or DS-2019 Form along with your passport and visa to an immigration officer. The Immigration Officer will stamp your I-20 Form or DS-2019 Form with an entry date. You will also receive an I-94 Departure Record (it is a small white card, usually stapled inside your passport).

You should keep your I-20 or DS-2019 Form and your I-94 card together with your passport. Do not lose these forms. These forms are proof of your immigration status. You will need these forms for re-entry into the US after temporary trips abroad during the period of validity. You should keep all of your immigration documents is a safe place. Never throw these documents away; you should keep them permanently.

8. Immigration Check-in at PSU:
New international students are required to attend immigration check-in. Look at your admission letter or the academic calendar for the date and location.
Bring your:

Passport

I-94 card (white card stapled in your passport when you entered
the U.S.)

I-20 or DS-2019 Form

Medical insurance information

Your local address and telephone number

It is VERY IMPORTANT that you attend immigration check-in. This is a requirement to maintain your student immigration status. If you do not check-in, you may violate your student immigration status.

8a. New student orientation:
All new IELP students are required to attend the IELP New Student Orientation, held each term before classes begin. Visa and immigration regulations and procedures will be explained during the New Student Orientation.

9. SEVIS and maintaining visa status:
The IELP and PSU's International Student Office are required to report student attendance and visa status information to the US government, via the national SEVIS database.

All F-1 and J-1 International students are responsible for maintaining and monitoring their own visa status, which means:

• completing a full course load of classes each term,
  
• maintaining valid immigration documents,
  
• and obtaining a travel signature from the PSU International Student Office before traveling outside the US.

10. Full-time enrollment:
IELP students on F-1 and J-1 visas must enroll in a full course load of classes. IELP students with F-1 or J-1 visas will NOT be able to drop below a full course of study without prior approval from Michele Miller, the IELP International Student Adviser.

Questions?
If you have questions, please contact Michele Miller, the IELP International Students Advisor at millerm@pdx.edu or call 503-725-8126.