How to Apply for Your Student Visa

Once you complete your application, you will be reviewed for admission and you can begin providing the materials needed for PSU to issue you an I-20 form (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status). Admission to PSU is required for us to issue an I-20. However, you can begin the process before you receive an admissions decision.

Transfer an I-20 from Another U.S. Institution

If you already have an I-20 from another U.S. institution, you will have to transfer your record to PSU. Follow the steps for a SEVIS Transfer. If you have questions about this process email intl-services@pdx.edu. Otherwise, follow the steps below.

Steps to Apply for Your Student Visa

1. Submit the Materials Listed Below

After we receive all the documents listed below, Admissions will begin reviewing your materials.

Immigration Information Form
Acceptable documentation showing enough money to cover the total estimated costs for one year of living, tuition, and fees. Review the total estimated costs for undergraduate applicants or graduate applicants.
Statement of Support. The statement of support can be a statement of support signed by your financial sponsor or a letter from a sponsoring country, agency or individual.

Submit Documents

Undergraduate and Postbaccalaureate Applicants: upload documents in your application portal

Graduate Applicants: submit documents via email to graddocs@pdx.edu

2. PSU Issues You an I-20

PSU will send you your I-20 digitally. We are unfortunately unable to give or send I-20s to anyone other than the student.

The following steps only apply to students who are not already in the United States

3. Pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee

Before you can schedule a visa interview, you must pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Use the SEVIS ID# on the I-20 issued by PSU to pay the fee.

Pay SEVIS I-901 Fee

4. Submit Your Visa Application

Embassies and consulates will issue visas no more than 120 days before your program of study begins. You must submit the visa application (DS-160) and pay the fee before you can schedule your interview. If you have received an I-20 from Portland State University, you will apply for an F-1 student visa for Academic or Language Students. If you are coming through an academic exchange with a J visa, contact your advisor at your current institution.

5. Schedule an Interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate

In most countries, first-time student visa applicants are required to appear for an in-person interview. You should bring the following printed materials to your interview:

Admission Letter from PSU
Original I-20 issued by PSU
SEVIS I-901 Fee receipt
Completed Form DS-160
Passport valid for at least six months after you plan to enter the United States
Two 2-inch by 2-inch (5-cm by 5-cm) passport photos
Dependent Information and Documentation
Students with spouses will need to show an additional $12,204 in checking and savings accounts and an additional $5,944 for each child who will come as well.

Each embassy and consulate sets its own interview policies and procedures regarding student visas. Students should consult embassy websites or contact embassies directly for specific instructions.

6. Visa Approval and Issuance

Once you have your visa, you may enter the United States no more than 30 days before your program start date, as shown on your I-20.