Visa Preparation
Apply for an F or J Visa
U.S. visas are issued by U.S. Consulates and Embassies abroad. Each Consulate/Embassy has different requirements and procedures, so it is important to contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply to learn about their requirements. Learn how to schedule an appointment, how many times you can apply for your visa, what specific documents are required, and what procedures must be followed. Refer to the Department of State FAQ for general questions about visas.
Mock Visa Interview Preparation Services
Exciting News for Prospective Students!
The ISSO is proud to introduce our latest service: Mock Visa Interview Preparation! We are committed to ensuring our prospective students are well-prepared for their visa interviews. The ISSO understands the difficulties and misunderstandings many students face so we want to promote readiness and encourage students to apply for the visa interview as soon as possible in order for them to arrive for their program on time.
Key Features:
- One-on-one appointments: Limited 20-minute slots with our experienced staff members.
- Group Meetings: 30-minute sessions accommodating up to 10 students. Group chats have weekly regional focus, each week will spotlight a different region of the world.
Spring 2025 Schedule
Sessions are available to book 3 weeks in advance of their listed date. All session times are U.S. Central time zone.
To schedule a 1:1 appointment (20 minutes), click below:
- Spring 2025 dates TBA
Explore our session schedule on the Comet Calendar and mark your calendar for the upcoming sessions!
Top Tips
- We recommend that you apply for your visa in your country of citizenship or permanent residence. It is not possible to renew an F or J visa while in the United States.
- When applying for your visa, allow enough time for security checks and administrative processing. We recommend applying for your visa as early as possible.
- Prospective students may also download a letter from the ISSO Assistant Director to provide to the embassy or consulate.
- You must receive an I-20 and pay the I-901 prior to applying for the F-1 visa interview. Failure to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee 30 days before your program start date will result in the cancellation of your SEVIS record.
- Consular Officers may ask you questions based on topics including: academic, financial, immigration history and ties to your home country. To better prepare for your visa interview, review some common F-1 visa questions you may get asked. In addition, you may also review a NAFSA resource: 10 Point to Remember When Applying for an F-1 Student Visa
Step 1: Pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee
F and J students are required to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee ($350 USD). Failure to pay the SEVIS fee 30 days before your program start date will result in the cancellation of your SEVIS record. The I-901 fee is in addition to the consular visa fee and is non-refundable. Bring a copy of your payment receipt to your visa interview, as your visa application will be denied if the I-901 fee has not been paid. Canadian students do not need F-1 visas in order to enter the U.S. to study, but they are still subject to the SEVIS I-901 fee. You must make show proof of payment at the port of entry.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) website includes information on I-901 payment options, refunds, payment status verification, requirements for the I-901 fee, and frequently asked questions. You can pay the I-901 SEVIS fee through the following methods:
- Online: You can submit the I-901 form online and make the payment using a credit card. A receipt will also be mailed to the address listed on the I-901 form. If you decide to pay via Internet, we strongly suggest that you print a copy of the payment confirmation and keep it with your immigration documents.
- By mail: You can submit the I-901 form and a check or money order that has been drawn from a U.S. bank and is payable in U.S. dollars. Many foreign banks are able to issue checks drawn from a U.S. bank or foreign subsidiaries of a U.S. bank. A receipt will be mailed to the address listed on the I-901.
- In person through the Western Union Quick Pay service: It is imperative that you read the instructions for this payment option and bring a printed copy of the instructions and the sample of the completed Western Union form to the Western Union Agent in order to correctly process your payment.
Study in the States provides a narrated video tutorial that walks students and exchange visitors through the steps of paying the I-901 SEVIS fee.
Step 2: Complete the DS-160: Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application
The DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application form is for temporary travel to the United States, including for F-1 and J-1 visas. Form DS-160 is submitted electronically to the Department of State website. The cost for student and exchange visitor visas will increase from $160 to $185 and will take effect on May 30, 2023. Consular Officers use the information entered on the DS-160, combined with a personal interview, to determine your eligibility for the F-1 visa and process the application.
Review the Frequently Asked Questions for instructions about completing the DS-160.
Below is important information that you will need when applying for an F-1 visa or J-1 visa:
- F-1: UT Dallas’ school code: DAL214F00379000
- DSO contact is Jennifer Garcia
- 972-883-6678
- ISSOprospective@utdallas.edu
- 800 W. Campbell Road SSB34, Richardson, Texas 75080
- J-1: UT Dallas J-1 Program Number is P-1-03246
- ARO contact is Christina Zhang
- 972-883-4189
- ISSOJ1@utdallas.edu
- 800 W. Campbell Road SSB34, Richardson, Texas 75080
- How to pay the mandatory SEVIS I-901 Fee
Step 3: Gather your Documents
Documents to take to interview
- DS-160 form confirmation page
- Visa application fee payment receipt, if required to pay before the interview
- One photo that meets the Photograph Requirements, if required by your embassy/consulate
- SEVIS I-901 fee receipt
- Valid passport, with an expiration date at least 6 months in the future
- Admission letter for a UT Dallas program
- Financial support evidence
- Form I-20 or DS-2019 signed by your UT Dallas International Student Advisor
- Documents proving intent to return to the home country after completion of F-1 or J-1 status (eg, job prospects, family, land, financial prospects, investments, etc)
- ISSO also recommends carrying your resume and/or CV and a copy of the UT Dallas catalog description of your major
- Any additional documents listed on the website for the U.S. embassy/consulate where you will apply
If you are renewing your visa
Students renewing their visa after a stay in the United States should also carry:
- Transcripts from all U.S. institutions attended
- UT Dallas enrollment verification letter, downloadable from Galaxy
- All previously issued I-20s or DS-2019s
- Proof of private health insurance
- Support documentation from your academic program (only if requested by U.S. Consulate or Embassy)
For Dependents
F-2 and J-2 dependents go through a similar visa application process (except they should not pay the SEVIS fee) to obtain an F-2 or J-2 dependent visa. Review the instructions at the U.S. embassy/consulate where they will apply. Dependents should bring the following additional documents:
- Their own documents and copies of the F-1 or J-1’s documents if they apply for their visa separately.
- Proof of the relationship between themselves and the F-1 or J-1 such as a birth certificate or marriage certificate.
Step 4: Schedule an Interview
Pay the visa application fee. Check the U.S. embassy/consulate website where you will apply for instructions and to see whether to pay this fee before the visa interview. Instructions will vary by embassy or consulate.
Generally you will schedule the appointment at the U.S. embassy/consulate in your home country.
Step 5: Attend your Interview
During your interview
You will attend an interview with a Department of State visa officer, who will determine whether you are eligible for the visa. Every embassy and consulate functions separately and may have slightly different procedures. For example, digital fingerprints may be taken depending on the U.S. embassy/consulate where you will apply. The visa officer can evaluate your application based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to the following:
Non-immigrant Intent
F-1 and J-1 visas are non-immigrant visas, meaning the visa holder intends to return to their home country at the end of their stay. Be able to provide evidence of non-immigrant intent by demonstrating you have ties to your home country and will return home after your program is complete. Some ways to show intent to return to your home country:
- Proof of residence in your home country
- Proof of ownership of property in your home country
- Proof of immediate relatives residing in your home country
- Proof of bank accounts in your home country
- Job offers or plans to pursue a career in your home country
Financial Ability
When applying for an F-1 or J-1 visa, you must show that you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay. You must show sufficient funds to cover living expenses, tuition and fees, books, etc. J-1s are required to maintain health insurance and must show proof of health insurance for themselves and any dependents throughout the length of their program.
Your academic plans
The visa officer may ask about your academic plans and why you want to attend UT Dallas. Be prepared to discuss your academic plans:
- Articulate why you want to attend UT Dallas specifically
- What you plan to study
- How you plan to use your education when you return to your home country
- Make sure you understand your academic program and how it fits your career plans
Role of employment
Employment in the US is a potential immigration benefit, but not the primary purpose. F-1 and J-1 visas are student and exchange visitor visas, not work visas.
J-1 Exchange Visitors
As a participant of an Exchange Visitor Program, you may be subject to the Two-year Home-Country Physical Requirement or 212(e) requirement.
After your interview
Further administrative processing may be required. If that is the case, the visa officer will inform you.
If your visa is approved, you will be told when your passport with the visa stamp will be returned to you. You may review the visa processing times website to learn about typical visa processing times.
Visa Denial
If your visa is denied under INA 214 (b), this normally indicates that you did not sufficiently demonstrate the intent to be an F-1 student or that you have a residence outside the U.S. that you do not intend to abandon.
If your F-1 visa is denied under INA 212(a)(4), this normally indicates that you did not sufficiently demonstrate that you are unlikely to become a public charge during your stay in the U.S.
If you have new information to prove your intent, you may re-apply for an F-1 visa at any time. Notify the ISSO if you are denied a visa so that we may assist you.
If you have been recently denied a visa and wish to discuss your specific case 1:1 with an ISSO Prospective Student Advisor, you can book an individual appointment.
Security Clearances
Students can experience significant delays due to required security checks. Master’s and PhD students in scientific and technical fields are advised to provide detailed information about their field of study when applying for visas. Some helpful items to bring to your visa interview include:
- a resume
- a list of publications, including samples
- letter from the UT Dallas academic department specifying the area of research and possible applications
Exceptions: Canadian Citizens
Canadian Citizens do not need F-1 or J-1 visa stamps to study in the U.S. When you enter the U.S. to study, you will need to provide the officer at the port of entry:
