International

If you are seeking an F-1 Visa for the first time, follow the steps below to apply for admissions:

Step 1: Admissions Phone Interview

All applicants are required to have a phone interview with an enrollment advisor. During the call, your advisor will walk you through the admissions process and admission requirements, and answer any questions you have. To schedule your phone interview, please call us at (855) 313-0885 or email us at international@usuniversity.edu.

Step 2: Complete an Online Application

After you have completed the phone interview, the next step is to submit an online application for admission. The deadlines for submission of the application and all supporting documentation for international applicants will be available on the University Website and/or supplemental application form.

You will need to meet the following requirements in order to apply:

Step 3: Complete F-1 International Admissions Supplement Packet

Once you have submitted the online application you’ll need to complete the F-1 International Admissions Supplement Packet. Your enrollment advisor will send you the link accessing the packet through DocuSign. The packet includes the remaining documents required for admissions including:

1. Immigration and Visa Information
2. Emergency Contact Information
3. Professional Experience
4. Evidence of Financial Support Declaration
5. Statement of Purpose
6. International Memorandum of Understanding

All fields on the F-1 International Admissions Supplement Packet are required. Applicants are expected to carefully read all instructions and gather all required supporting documentation asked for in the packet. Once you have completed the packet and signed in DocuSign, all supporting documentation should be sent via email to your enrollment advisor.

Step 4: Receiving Form I-20 and Paying the I-901 SEVIS Fee

If accepted, you’ll receive your Form I-20 Certificate of Eligibility from our DSO. The Form I-20 is an important document that you need to keep safe, as it will be required throughout your international student lifecycle.

Note: If your spouse and/or children intend to live with you in the United States while you study, they must also enroll in SEVIS, obtain a Form I-20 for each dependent from USU, and apply for a visa. For more information on bringing family members to the United States, please visit the Study in the States page.

1. Verify your I-20 Information
   You must verify that all information on your Form I-20 is correct (such as spelling, dates, etc.). If you find any mistakes, please contact the DSO immediately to update the information.
   
2. Pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee
   The I-901 SEVIS Fee is mandated by Congress to support the program office and the automated system that keeps track of students and exchange visitors and ensures that they maintain their status while in the United States. Each student or exchange visitor issued an initial Form I-20 is responsible for paying this fee. To pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee, visit FMJfee.com to access the SEVIS Form I-901. Watch the I-901 SEVIS Fee payment video to learn about each step of the payment process. Answers to many questions regarding the fee can be found here.
   
   

Step 5: Apply for an F-1 visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate

Once you have paid your I-901 SEVIS Fee and obtained a receipt, the next step is to apply for your F-1 visa. Apply as soon as possible! Wait times for interview appointments vary by location, season, and visa category, so you should apply for your visa early.

Each individual who needs a visa must submit a separate application, including any family members.

Note: Student visas for new students can be issued up to 365 days in advance of the start date for a course of study. However, you will not be allowed to enter the United States on your student visa more than 30 days before the start date.

1. How to Apply:
   1. In-person at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
   2. Online using form DS-160.You must: 1) complete the online visa application, and 2) print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview. Learn more about completing the DS-160.
2. Schedule Your Interview Appointment
   You should schedule an appointment for your visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country where you live. You may schedule your interview at another U.S. Embassy or Consulate, but be aware that it may be more difficult to qualify for a visa outside of the country where you live. Please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate outside of your home country for a full list of requirements.
3. Pay the Non-Refundable Visa Application Fee, if you are required to pay it before your interview. This fee is separate from the SEVIS fee. Additionally, if your visa is approved, you may also be required to pay a visa issuance fee, if applicable to your nationality. To see if your nationality has a visa issuance fee, review this page.
4. Gather Required Documents for Your Interview
   Gather the following documents in preparation for your interview. Please note that this checklist is not exhaustive and ultimately it is your responsibility to confirm with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate which documents are required for the interview.
   1. Passport
      1. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States (unless exempt by country-specific agreements)
   2. Form DS-160 (Nonimmigrant Visa Application) confirmation page, if you applied online
   3. SEVIS fee payment receipt
   4. Application fee payment receipt, if you are required to pay before your interview
   5. Photo
      1. You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. If the photo upload fails, you must bring one printed photo in the format explained in the Photograph Requirements.
   6. Form I-20
   7. Financial Documents
   8. Acceptance letter from USU
   9. TOEFL iBT or IELTS score(s)
   10. Transcripts or diplomas from previous schools attended
5. Attend your interview
   A consular officer will interview you to determine whether you are qualified to receive a student visa. For more details on the interview process, visit this website.

Please know that a visa does not guarantee entry into the United States, it only permits you to arrive and seek permission to enter the country. The final authority to admit entry into the country comes from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at the U.S. port of entry.

Note: The University does not provide U.S. visa services to nonimmigrant students, but it does comply with all requirements of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). Any fees related to visa services are the sole responsibility of the student.

Step 6: Entering into the United States

Once you receive your F-1 visa you are permitted to enter the United States up to 30 days prior to the start of your program. You will need to send your visa information to your enrollment advisor.

The U.S. immigration process can be confusing, so we’ve put together a checklist that will walk you through what to expect during the process and provide you with some helpful tips and information: Navigating the United States Immigration System

Step 7: Registering for Courses and Preparing to Start

Tuition and fees are due during registration for class and must be paid in full at the time of registration, but no later than ten (10) business days prior to the start of your program. Deferments of payments, installment payments, or payment plans are not allowed. International students are required to enroll in a minimum of 9 credit hours per semester (2 ground courses and 1 online course). Students are required to attend every scheduled class session on campus.

If you are a current F-1 visa student who is maintaining your status and wish to transfer to United States University, follow the steps below to apply for admissions:

Step 1: Admissions Phone Interview

All applicants are required to have a phone interview with an enrollment advisor. During the call, your advisor will walk you through the admissions process and admission requirements, and answer any questions you have. To schedule your phone interview, please call us at (855) 313-0885 or email us at international@usuniversity.edu.

Step 2: Complete an Online Application

After you have completed the phone interview, the next step is to submit an online application for admission. The deadlines for submission of the application and all supporting documentation for international applicants will be available on the University Website and/or supplemental application form.

You will need to meet the following requirements in order to apply:

Step 3: Complete F-1 International Admissions Supplement Packet

Once you have submitted the online application you’ll need to complete the F-1 International Admissions Supplement Packet. Your enrollment advisor will send you the link accessing the packet through DocuSign. The packet includes the remaining documents required for admissions including:

1. Immigration and Visa Information
2. Emergency Contact Information
3. Professional Experience
4. Evidence of Financial Support Declaration
5. Statement of Purpose
6. International Memorandum of Understanding

All fields on the F-1 International Admissions Supplement Packet are required. Applicants are expected to carefully read all instructions and gather all required supporting documentation asked for in the packet. Once you have completed the packet and signed in DocuSign, all supporting documentation should be sent via email to your enrollment advisor.

Step 4: Scheduling Release Date of SEVIS Record

Your next step is to use the Intent to Transfer Form that you will receive from your enrollment advisor to schedule a release date for your SEVIS record. Please take the form and acceptance letter emailed to you to your current or prior institution where your SEVIS record is still being held and complete the form with your international student advisor or Designated School Official (DSO).

United States University does not discriminate against any F-1 student applicant who has recently had their SEVIS record terminated. United States University remains objective in its evaluation of each applicant and each situation will be treated individually. Any questions related to termination and reinstatement can be directed to DSO@usuniversity.edu.

Step 5: Registering for Courses and Preparing to Start

Tuition and fees are due during registration for class and must be paid in full at the time of registration, but no later than ten (10) business days prior to the start of your program. Deferments of payments, installment payments, or payment plans are not allowed. International students are required to enroll in a minimum of 9 credit hours per semester (2 ground courses and 1 online course). Students are required to attend every scheduled class session on campus.

International students must maintain full-time enrollment status as defined by the University. In mitigating circumstances, students may be authorized to drop below full-time. This is called a Reduce Course Load (RCL). For acceptable RCL mitigating circumstances under Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) regulations please contact the Designated School Official (DSO).

USU defines full-time status as enrolled in no less than six credits per semester for graduate students. International students must be enrolled in two (2) on ground and one (1) online course per semester (refer to your degree plan). If a student is in their last semester and only needs one (1) course to complete their program of study, the course cannot be completed online. Please note that SEVP does not allow a University to count an online course towards full-time status.

International students are expected to adhere to the University attendance requirements for both on-ground and online courses. Students that do not adhere to the University’s attendance policy may have their SEVIS record terminated.

For more information regarding maintaining status please refer to the International Student Handbook.

PREPARING FOR ARRIVAL

You may enter the U.S. within 30 days of the start date listed on your Form I-20. If you are not able to arrive by the first day of classes due to travel or visa delays, you must contact the DSO at dso@usuniversity.edu.

Prepare Documents for Travel

You must carry all of your original travel documents on you at all times. Do NOT put any of them on your checked baggage because you will need to access them when you arrive to the port of entry. List of documents you should carry on you:

• Passport
• F-1 visa
• Form I-20
• USU acceptance letter
• Original documents proving financial ability
• SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
• Copy of immunization records
• Dependents' I-20s and passports, if your spouse and children will be traveling with you
• Checklist and instructions from USU, printed out

Also, make at least one (1) set of copies of all documents you’ve received up to this point and leave with your family in your home country or someone you can trust in case of an emergency.

We recommend flying into San Diego International Airport (SAN).

ARRIVAL: PORT OF ENTRY AND INSPECTION

Step 1: Point of Entry - Meeting With U.S. Customs and Border Officer

Once you arrive in the United States at your point of entry, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer will check your documents and determine if you can enter the country. This is where you will need to show your passport, visa and I-20.

Your passport must be stamped by the port of entry official notating F-1 duration of status, date, and location of arrival in the U.S. If this is incomplete or the stamped date or visa classification is incorrect, please bring it to the attention of the CBP officer before you leave so they can make the correct annotation.

While a CBP officer inspects your immigration documents, you may be asked some general questions. Don’t get agitated or nervous; it’s just a routine procedure. Always answer clearly, honestly and politely. If there is a problem, you can provide them with the DSO’s email address.

If the CBP officer admits you into the country, you will be given a Form I-94 Arrival Departure Record. This form shows that you have been legally admitted into the United States, the class of admission, and your authorized period of stay.


Step 2: Customs Checkpoint

After checking your documents and clearing you to enter the U.S., you will proceed to the baggage claim area to collect your luggage. You will then need to enter a line with U.S. Customs (or Agricultural Department) officials where they may ask about the contents of your bags or ask to open them. Follow their instructions and answer their questions honestly and politely.

After you collect your luggage, you will go through the customs checkpoint. Here you will turn in the form you were given on the airplane. On this form, you must declare if you have funds exceeding $10,000 (in any currency) and any items that need to be declared. Please visit cbp.gov for detailed information on what you are allowed to bring and what items you need to declare.

Customs and Border Protection officers will ask for your documents (see PREPARING FOR ARRIVAL, Prepare Documents for Travel above) and may ask the following questions:

• The purpose of your visit to the United States
• How long you plan to visit
• Where you will be staying
• If you have the means to support yourself financially in the United States
• If the documents you are presenting are compatible with the purpose and intent of your visit

Answer all questions honestly and politely, even if you’ve answered the question previously.

A few things to be mindful of:

• If the CBP officer can’t verify your information (i.e., you don’t have all the required documentation) you may be directed to an interview area known as “secondary inspection.” It is important not to panic or stress, this is simply to allow inspectors to conduct additional research without delaying other arriving passengers. In the event that the CBP officer needs to verify information with United States University you should do one of the following:
  1. If you are arriving during school hours, give them the contact information of United States University to get in touch with the DSO.
  
  2. If you are arriving during non-school operating hours (evenings, weekends, holidays), please be advised that it will be difficult to get in touch with the DSO. Please send an email to the DSO and they will get back to you as soon as they can.
  
• Under certain circumstances CBP officers may authorize a temporary admission into the United States utilizing Form I-515A Notice to Student or Exchange Visitor. This is typically issued with the nonimmigrant student lacks proper entry documentation and the most common reasons for issuance to an F-1 student includes, but are not limited to:
  • Lack of travel endorsement by a school official or sponsor official on the Form I-20.
  • Lack of evidence of payment of the I-901 SEVIS fee.
  • Lack of valid SEVIS record associated with the I-20 (i.e., the SEVIS record is not in Active or Initial status.
• In the event that you receive Form I-515A, contact the DSO immediately to work on gathering the documentation to submit to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for processing.
  
  

Step 3: Airport Transportation

Once you have cleared the customs checkpoint, you will exit into the international arrivals area of the airport. If you need to catch a connecting flight to get to SAN, you will need to take your bags with you to the proper terminal or check-in counter for your domestic flight. At many airports, you will need to take a free inter-terminal shuttle or tram/train to get to the proper terminal. We highly recommend visiting the website of your destination airport to become familiar with what you will need to do.

To leave San Diego airport, you can use taxis or ride-sharing services such as Uber or Lyft to get around. You can also pre-plan transportation such as shuttles or private limos online.

DURATION OF STAY IN UNITED STATES

Maintaining Your Status

As an F-1 student attending United States University, you will often hear the term “maintain your status.” The term means that you are fulfilling the purpose of your visa and following the regulations associated with that purpose. For more information, please see the section on Maintaining International (F-1) Student Status.

DEPARTURE

Once you complete your program, there are a variety of options for what you can do next including applying for training, changing your status, or transferring to another SEVP-certified program. If you don’t choose any of those options, you and your dependents have 60 days after your program end date to depart the United States.

Both MBA and DBA – international track requires that students gain practical experience in their field of study while enrolled. Students must take at least one term of Curricular Practical Training (CPT) prior to enrolling in the graduate capstone course or systematic project courses. You are permitted to take more than one term of CPT if you choose, as long as you remain eligible. You may start your CPT at any time during the program (day 1 CPT). We recommend that you start looking for CPT opportunities as soon as you enter the program.

You must apply for CPT through the Designated School Official (DSO) and have a job offer at the time of application. The DSO will review your application and determine if you are eligible for CPT. If approved, the DSO will authorize your CPT in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and you may begin working for your employer.

Things to note:

• You must maintain full-time student status while working on CPT, and throughout your program.
• You must maintain your SEVIS record and keep the DSO updated on your employment status.
• CPT is authorized for one (1) semester and students must apply for CPT no later than two (2) weeks prior to the session in which they intend to participate.
• CPT employment may not delay completion of the academic program.

For more information about eligibility for CPT please contact the DSO at DSO@usuniversity.edu.

Details About CPT and Definitions

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is defined as employment which is an integral part of an established curriculum, including: “alternate work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum which is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school.” (8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(i)). CPT is work authorization for employment that is either required by a student’s curriculum or for a credit bearing course. CPT is not used for sustaining employment in the United States and those abusing CPT opportunities face serious consequences up to loss of F-1 visa status.

It is indicated in 8 CFR 214.2 (f)(10) that “practical training may be authorized to an F-1 student who has been lawfully enrolled on a full time basis, in a SEVP-approved college, university, conservatory, or seminary for one full academic year. 8 CFR 214.2 (f)(10)(i) asserts “an F-1 student may be authorized by a DSO to participate in a curricular practical training program that is an integral part of an established curriculum.” Students who have received one or more years of full-time CPT at the same grade-level (i.e., bachelor, master, doctorate) are ineligible for post-completion OPT at that grade-level. Also, the one full academic year requirement may be waived under 8 CFR 214.2 (f)(10)(i) for students enrolled in graduate studies that require immediate participation in CPT.”

Students are reminded that CPT authorizations are approved for those practical training opportunities that are directly aligned with the student’s major field of study. Students must have the full-time or part-time offer for practical training before they are permitted to apply for CPT authorization with a Designated School Official (DSO). Once authorized for CPT, students will be enrolled in MGT998 DBA Professional Symposium or MGT999 Graduate Professional Symposium which links to the program learning outcomes of the MBA or DBA and allows students to explore contemporary issues in their field of study and specialization while gaining practical training. The inquiry along with their practical experience in the field during CPT will be used to inform and develop their final project in MGT699 Capstone or DBA Systematic Project Courses.

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is 12-month work authorization available to F-1 students who are seeking employment opportunities in their fields of study. This training opportunity provides students the ability to gain practical training in their field of study. This work authorization gives students the ability to work off-campus and can be extended during or after completion of their program.

Types of OPT

There are two types of OPT recommended by United States University in include Pre-Completion OPT and Post-Completion OPT. Pre-Completion OPT is OPT used before a student’s program completion and includes both part-time and full-time work. Post-Completion OPT is any portion of OPT used after the student’s program completion and must be full-time.

Eligibility Requirements for OPT

F-1 students at United States University must be in full-time F-1 status for at least one academic year to be eligible for OPT. Students must be seeking employment in the major field of study listed on their current I-20 form and be completing their program of study at United States University. F-1 students must be physically present in the United States at the time of application to USCIS and not have used more than one year of full-time CPT during their current degree-level [part-time does not count]. Because OPT is based on your completion date, you do not have to be employed at the time of application.

At United States University, one academic year means consecutive enrollment:

Summer I & Summer II – Fall I & Fall II

Fall I & Fall II – Spring I & Spring II

Spring I & Spring II – Summer I & Summer II