Visa Resources and Services
As of June 2025, “all applicants for F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas will be instructed to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to “public.”
Visa applicants are required to list all social media usernames or handles of every platform they have used in the last 5 years on the DS-160 visa application form. Applicants certify that the information in their visa application is true and correct before they sign and submit. Omitting social media information could lead to visa denial and ineligibility for future visas.
Mock Visa Interview Preparation Services
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.
Mock Visa Interview Appointment Schedule
Sessions are available to book 3 weeks in advance. All session times are U.S. Central time zone.
To schedule a 1:1 appointment (20 minutes), click below:
To schedule a Mock Visa Group Chat (45 minutes, up to 10 attendees), click below:
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 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 or have proof of significant changes from the first time you applied, 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.
EducationUSA
The ISSO is proud to partner with EducationUSA who assists students in-country prior to arriving in the U.S. They provide a variety of services including webinars, fairs, pre-departure orientation and more! To find an advising center near you, visit: https://educationusa.state.gov/find-advising-center for more information.
Port of Entry Information
Initial F-1 students may enter the U.S. up to 30 days before the program start date listed on their I-20. Page 1 of the I-20 includes the earliest possible date a student may enter the U.S. Initial students must use their most recent I-20 for travel to the U.S.
For additional information, watch the video What to Expect at the Port of Entry.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers have the authority to search any and all electronic devices such as mobile phones and laptops brought into the U.S. at a port of entry, as well as the social media accounts of individuals entering the US.
If the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at the port of entry cannot verify your information, or if you do not have all of the required documentation, a CBP officer may direct you to an interview area known as “secondary inspection.” Secondary inspection at a U.S. port of entry is a more detailed review process conducted by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers when a traveler’s admissibility cannot be immediately verified during the initial (primary) inspection. This can happen due to incomplete documentation, discrepancies in answers or names provided previously, or random selection. During secondary inspection, officers may ask in-depth questions, verify documents, check immigration history, and inspect personal belongings or electronic devices. Travelers are not entitled to legal representation unless they are taken into custody due to a criminal matter. Most secondary inspections result in the traveler being admitted after verification. This may take anywhere between 30 minutes to several hours.
If you are missing any of the required documents when you are entering the U.S. you may be allowed to enter the U.S. temporarily. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer may issue you a Form I-515A, “Notice to Student or Exchange Visitor.” If you receive an I-515A you must respond in a timely manner, otherwise your immigration status is at risk of termination.
Required Documents
- Form I-20 or DS-2019 signed by your UT Dallas International Student Advisor
- Valid passport, with an expiration date at least 6 months in the future
- Valid F-1 or J-1 visa stamp (located in your passport)
- DS-160 form confirmation page
- SEVIS I-901 fee receipt
- Admission letter for a UT Dallas program
- Financial support evidence
- 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
