In order to enter the United States for study, you must obtain the F-1 student visa from a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. An F-1 student visa gives you permission to apply for admission to the United States and if approved, study in the United States.

Steps to Apply for an F-1 Student Visa

U.S. Consulates may issue an F-1 visa up to 365 days in advance of the "program start date" listed on your I-20. Note that the validity of your F-1 visa, however, will never be before 120 days before the program start date. Check the U.S. Consulate website where you will apply for your F-1 visa for appointment wait times and detailed instructions. 

1. Pay the SEVIS Fee (I-901 Fee) of $350 to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security at www.fmjfee.com. More information on the SEVIS fee here.
2. Sign your PCC Form I-20 in blue ink on page 1. 
3. Read the instructions on the I-20 on page 3.
4. Complete the online, Non-immigrant Visa Application (Form DS-160) at https://ceac.state.gov/ceac. Print the application and bring it to your visa interview.
5. Schedule your visa interview at your nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Check with the U.S. Consulate on what additional documents or payment you will need to bring or prepare for your interview at www.usembassy.gov. Documents you may need to bring may include bank statements, letter of admission, addidtional forms, etc.
   
   Disclaimer: Receiving a PCC I-20 does not guarantee that you will receive an F-1 visa from the U.S. Consulate.
6. Take your signed PCC I-20, your DS-160 visa application barcode, and any required documents stated by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate, to your visa interview.

SEVIS Fee

The U.S Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires the payment of the SEVIS I-901 fee of $350 from international students seeking an F-1 or J-1 visa. Remember that paying the SEVIS fee is only the first step of the visa application process; please do this before your visa interview to avoid problems when entering the United States. 

Pay the SEVIS fee before your visa interview to avoid problems when entering the United States. 

You must pay the SEVIS fee if you are:

• Applying for a visa as a new student at PCC
• Exiting and re-entering the United States on a new PCC I-20, either as an incoming, continuing or returning student 
• Applying to change your status to F-1 from another nonimmigrant status while in the United States
• Filing for reinstatement after being out of status for more than five (5) months while in the United States
• Traveling to the United States in F-1 status as a Canadian citizen. You cannot pay the fee at your port of entry 

Who does not pay the SEVIS fee? 

• Students who have an active I-20 and are renewing their F-1 visa
• Spouses and dependent children who have an F-2, J-2 or M-2 visa
• Students who paid the SEVIS fee, were denied a visa and are applying for a visa within 12 months of the date of your initial SEVIS I-901 fee payment
• Applicants who paid the SEVIS fee, were denied a change of status and are applying for a motion to reopen if the motion to reopen is granted within 12 months of receipt of initial notice of denial
• F-1 students who fell out of status, but who are applying for a reinstatement within five months of the status violation

How long is the SEVIS fee valid?

Once paid, the SEVIS fee is valid for 12 months from time of payment. If you have not secured an F-1 visa after 12 months of having paid the SEVIS fee and your admissions has been deferred, you will receive a new PCC I-20 and will need to pay the SEVIS fee again. 

How to Pay the SEVIS Fee

The SEVIS fee must be paid before your F-1 visa interview at www.fmjfee.com. Paying by credit card is the fastest option but you can also pay by check, money order or Western Union Quick Pay. 

NOTICE FOR CAMEROON, GHANA, KENYA, NIGERIA & GAMBIA

If you are an F-1 student with a country of citizenship or country of birth of Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, or Gambia, you must pay by money order, Western Union Quick Pay, or certified check drawn from a U.S. bank.

SEVIS Fee Payment Information

Is the SEVIS fee transferable? 

Students may receive more than one I-20 but can only use the I-20 for the school they intend to attend. If you paid the SEVIS fee for another school's I-20, you may request a transfer of your SEVIS fee as long as you have not entered the United States. 

SEVIS Fee Payment Information

When to enter the U.S.

After you receive your F-1 student visa, you will be allowed to enter the U.S. 30 days before the program start date listed in your Form I-20. The exact date when you can enter the U.S. is listed in your Form I-20, under the "Earliest Admission Date".