Visa Requirements

Federal Law states that international students must maintain legal immigration status while at USF. Different students will have different reasons for being in the United States, but students normally fit into one of two categories:

1. Students who need USF to help them be in the US legally

This includes almost all students who are overseas and wish to come to the US to study. It also includes students who will study in F-1 or J-1 status; for example, those who are in F or J status who are transferring from other US institutions.

Most students will apply for an F-1 visa. Some students who are sponsored by governmental organizations will apply for a J-1 visa. In both cases, USF makes a commitment to the government that you are qualified to be a USF student.

If you apply for an F-1 visa, then you need form I-20 from USF. If you apply for a J-1 visa, then you need form DS-2019 from USF.

USF needs to collect the following information before issuing an I-20 or DS-2019:

Confirmation of Financial Support
You should provide one promissory note from each of your financial sponsors. This note must clearly indicate their intention to support you financially during your entire stay at USF.

Documentation of Adequate Funds
Bank Statement or official bank letter showing your sponsor's funding. If you rely on other assistantships, scholarships and/or fellowship awards, then you should provide written documentation. All documentation should be dated within 6 months of the start of the semester you want to attend USF.

Copy of passport pages
We need your passport information pages showing your name, citizenship and passport expiration date. You should provide copies of your information pages in your native font and in Roman letters.

If you are in the US, proof of your status
If you are in the US, you should provide copies of your current visa and your form I-94.

2. Students who are in the US for other reasons

USF St. Petersburg often receives applications from international students who are in the country for a reason other than education, but who wish to study at USF. Such people include Pending Permanent Residents, H-4 dependents, TD dependents and Asylees.

If you do not need USF's help to obtain legal status in the US, USF needs:

Copy of passport page
We need your passport information page showing your name, citizenship and passport expiration date. If your passport has been extended, please photocopy the pages which show this.

Documentation of your status in the US
This documentation must be an official notice from USCIS. For example:

• If you are on a visa, this will be a copy of your visa and your I-94.
  
• If you are a Pending Permanent Resident, this will be a copy of your I-485 receipt notice.
  

Those who are ineligible to study at USF
You should not enroll at USF if you are in B (visitor) status. Neither should you enrol if you have a green visa waiver form (I-94W). Instead, you should apply for a different status. Normally, this will mean applying for an F-1 or a J-1 visa in your home country, but it is sometimes possible to change status while remaining in the United States.