Obtain Your Visa & Review your
Legal & Financial Requirements
Pay SEVIS Fee and Obtain Your Visa
A valid student visa is required for entry to the US. (Note: Canadian citizens do not require visas but are required to present the I-20 at the port of entry.) Before applying for the visa, you must pay the $200 SEVIS fee. To find information on paying the SEVIS fee, go to www.ice.gov/graphics/sevis/i901/
index.htm The easiest way to pay the fee is online. If you are outside the US and do not already have a valid student visa, you must apply for one at the nearest US Consulate. View http://usembassy.state.gov for information about your consulate's process for non-immigrant visa applications and to download the visa application form. When you apply for your visa, you will need to show your valid passport, I-20 form, proof of sufficient funds available to meet all expenses, and proof that you have paid the SEVIS fee.
You will receive an I-94 on the airplane (small white card) that the Department of Homeland Security official will staple into your passport next to your visa. Please safeguard your I-94; you will need this document to prove your legal status in the US. When you enter the US, you will present your valid visa and I-20 to the DHS official. Canadian citizens must present the I-20, financial documentation, and proof of SEVIS payment.
Legal Requirement to Transfer Your I-20
If you are already attending school in the US, your I-20 may not have been sent to you. SDSU is unable to issue your I-20 until your current school "releases" your SEVIS record to SDSU. Notify your International Student Advisor at your current school of your intent to transfer to SDSU and have them "release" your SEVIS record to San Diego State University SND214F00142000. When your International Student Advisor "releases" your SEVIS record, SDSU will issue you an SDSU I-20 for transfer.
Legal Requirement: Full Course of Study
As an international student on a student visa, you are required to enroll as a full-time student each and every semester; this means a minimum of 12 units per semester for undergraduates. Courses in Extended Studies or Open University do not count toward full-time status.
Financial Requirements
Plan to have funds readily available for your initial expenses - tuition, housing, health insurance, books and miscellaneous expenses. Since bank drafts can take several weeks to clear, you will need traveler's checks or World Money Orders. Plan to have at least $5,000 available upon arrival. A breakdown of expenses is shown in the About SDSU/Costs section.
Employment Opportunities
Do not plan on employment as a means of financial support. The Department of Homeland Security does not allow off-campus employment during a student's first academic year. On-campus employment is allowed, but will not be immediately available to you due to restrictions in issuance of the required Social Security number. Spouses of F-1 students are never eligible for employment or for enrollment in school.
Note: If you have any questions whatsoever regarding your immigration status, contact the International Student Center immediately to talk to an International Student Advisor.