Student Visa Application Process

For first time applicants

Students starting an F-1 or J-1 program for the first time may need additional guidance through the processes necessary to come into the U.S. This page provides an easy to follow list of actions to getting your F-1 or J-1 visa and entering the U.S. at the proper time.

This page is intended for first time F-1 and J-1 students and may contain information already known to students who are transferring or already in the U.S.

We recommend you read through all the steps before starting to get an understanding of your path ahead.

1. Get Your Certificate of Eligibility: Form I-20 or DS-2019 

You will receive a Form I-20 (for F-1 student) or DS-2019 (for J-1 student) Certificate of Eligibility (COE) once you’ve submitted a complete application and your documents are approved for processing by your relevant UH Mānoa admission’s office.

If you haven’t received your COE please see the page on Getting your F-1 or J-1 Status

2. Pay Your SEVIS I-901 Fee

After receiving your I-20/DS-2019, every new international student or exchange visitor who will begin an “initial”  program of study must pay a one-time SEVIS I-901 fee to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 

Print the fee payment receipt to present at the visa interview and at the U.S. Port of Entry (POE). SEVIS I-901 fee must be paid at least three days prior to attending visa appointment at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. 

Canadian citizens must still pay the SEVIS I-901 fee at least three days prior to requesting admission to the U.S at a U.S. port of entry even though are exempted from the visa requirement..

3. Complete the DS-160 Visa Application

4. Scheduling Your Visa Appointment

Once you receive your Form I-20 or DS-2019 document, you must schedule a visa appointment with a U.S. Embassy and Consulate and receive a visa document before you can enter the U.S. 

Canadian students do not need to apply for a visa with a U.S. Embassy or Consulate

5. Visa Interview & Receiving Your Visa

Most first-time applicants will be required to complete a visa interview. Most interviews last approximately 5 minutes, where the consular officer will review your financial documentation and ask questions about your intended academic program. If your visa request is approved, the officer will take your passport and return it to you in approximately 7-10 business days with your visa attached.

Click to review helpful tips for understanding your F-1 or J-1 visa
10 Points to Remember When Applying for a Nonimmigrant Visa from our Visa Types Page

6. Booking Your Flight

You can book your flights into Honolulu once you have received your passport and visa. Check the semester start date, your assigned housing move-in-dates and any orientation events to determine the best arrival date.

The earliest you can enter the U.S. is 30 days before the program start date listed on your COE.

7. Entering the U.S.

When entering the U.S., you must complete processing with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) department. This is a brief meeting with an immigration officer, in which they will request evidence of your intention to enter the U.S. on a specific visa status.

Further Actions Required For New Students

The University of Hawaii has a number of items you will need to do before the start of the semester and your program. The ISS Required Action Checklist outlines the steps you will need to do in order to start your semester.