F-1 Student Visa

Now that you have your acceptance letter and I-20, you need to apply for an F-1 student visa at the nearest U.S. consulate.

Please note: Follow the steps below ONLY when you have received your admission package.

Immediate First Steps

SEVIS Fee Not Paid

  1. Apply for a passport, if you don't have one.
  2. Pay the I-901 SEVIS fee at fmjfee.com. The fee is $350. Be sure to print a receipt and take it with you to your visa interview.
  3. Apply for an F-1 student visa by either:
    • Going to evisaforms.state.gov to submit an e-application. Be sure to complete the DS-156, the application for a "non-immigrant" visa; or by
    • Contacting a local agent/service who is able to apply on your behalf.

    Allow yourself enough time to get the visa so you can arrive at FPU on time.

  4. Make an appointment for a visa interview.
  5. Reserve (don't buy!) an airline ticket for the arrival date noted in your acceptance letter. Reserve a flight all the way to Fresno. We cannot pick you up in San Francisco or Los Angeles.

SEVIS Fee Paid

  1. Find the receipt (Form I-901) included in your admissions packet.
  2. Apply for a passport, if you don't have one.
  3. Apply for an F-1 student visa by either:
    • Going to evisaforms.state.gov to submit an e-application. Be sure to complete the DS-156, the application for a "non-immigrant" visa.
    • Contacting a local agent/service who is able to apply on your behalf.

     Allow yourself enough time to get the visa so you can arrive at FPU on time.

  4. Make an appointment for a visa interview.
  5. Reserve (don't buy!) an airline ticket for the arrival date noted in your acceptance letter. Reserve a flight all the way to Fresno. We cannot pick you up in San Francisco or Los Angeles.

Two Weeks Before Your Visa Interview

  • Collect all of the documents you need for your interview.
  • Specific consulate information – Select the country and city where you will interview. Follow the links in relation to "non-immigrant F-1 student visas."
  • General student visa information
  • Read the information carefully. Take notes or print out the essential pages.

Interview Day

  1. Attend your visa interview.
  2. Email FPU with the result (approval or denial).
    • If approved, confirm/buy an airline ticket to Fresno and include your detailed flight information in the email.
    • If denied, give the reasons why (if known).

Before You Leave for the U.S.

What to expect when you first arrive in the U.S.