Obtaining an F-1 I-20 or J-1 DS-2019 from The University of Alabama

To get an F-1 I-20 or J-1 DS-2019 from The University of Alabama, you must be first admitted to a program of study.

You must submit scans of the following to the ISSS Secure Upload Portal using your myBama credentials (for myBama set up, see OIT Page for new students and information on Duo two-factor authentication):

1. Admission Letter
2. I-20/DS-2019 Request Form
3. Proof of funding (e.g. scholarship letter, fellowship letter, assistantship letter, financial guarantee, or personal funds);
4. Passport; and
5. Current Visa/Visa Document (if inside the U.S.).

If you are impacted by DUO Access Denial due to your location and are unable to access the Upload Portal, please contact international@ua.edu.

I-20 and DS-2019 Processing Time

After your admission to The University of Alabama and your submission of a complete I-20/DS-2019 Request Form and supporting documents, it will take ISSS a minimum of 5 business days (1 week) to process the I-20 or DS/2019.

Factors Impacting Processing: 

• UA closures and holidays will impact processing.  ISSS’s operating hours are Monday through Friday, 8 am until 4:45 pm.  ISSS is closed during University holidays.
• If your admission has been deferred, please add an additional 2 weeks for processing as multiple departments including the admitting unit and the Registrar’s Office must update admission and student records before updated admission datafeeds enter ISSS’s systems.
• If any part of your application is missing or insufficient, we will be unable to process your documents.

I-20 and DS-2019 Delivery

All I-20s will be sent as an electronic document per guidance from the Department of Homeland Security Student Exchange Visitor Program SEVP Policy Guidance: Use of Electronic Signatures and Transmission for the Form I-20, and DS-2019s will be sent as electronic documents per new allowances authorized by the Department of State on April 27, 2023.

Both F-1/F-2 I-20s and J-1/J-2 DS-2019s signed and sent as electronic scans can be used for all official purposes, including visa applications, visa renewals, and entry to the U.S. After receiving the electronic I-20 or DS-2019, you must you print, sign, and date the document prior to any visa interview or travel to the U.S.

NOTE: If you are currently in F-1 or J-1 status at a high school or another college/university inside the U.S., please be sure to have your SEVIS Record transferred to the University of Alabama within your grace period (60-days for F-1 students/ 30-days for J-1 students).  You will need to provide the DSO/ARO at your current school with a copy of your admission letter to UA and request that they transfer your record to The University of Alabama, F-1 School Code: ATL214F01174000; J-1 EV Program Number: P-1-03854.

SEVIS Fee

The video above is taken from Study In The States.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal SEVIS Fee took effect on September 1, 2004. The fee is generally a one-time fee (see exceptions below) and is required of those who are applying for an F-1 or J-1 visa.  Proof of fee payment must be presented at the visa interview and/or the port of entry.

PLEASE NOTE: SEVIS Fees are $350 for F-1 Students and $220 for J-1 Students.

You must pay the SEVIS fee if you are:

• Seeking an initial F-1/J-1 visa from an embassy or consulate abroad for initial studies.
• Seeking a change-of-status to F-1/J-1 student status by filing an I-539 from within the U.S.
• A CANADIAN or BAHAMIAN citizen: who does not need a visa to enter the United States, but who will be entering at a U.S. port-of-entry to begin studies as an F-1 or J-1 student.
• Out-of-status for more than 5 months and seeking reinstatement by filing an I-539 from within the U.S.

F-2 and J-2 Dependents
F-2 and J-2 dependents DO NOT have to pay a separate SEVIS Fee. Dependents are exempt from paying the SEVIS Fee.

SEVIS Fee Rules

1. The SEVIS fee must be processed at least three business days before the visa interview, unless you have a printed receipt from an Internet payment.
2. The SEVIS fee cannot be paid at the embassy or consulate or at the U.S. Border.
3. A visa will not be issued unless the visa officer can verify that the SEVIS fee payment has been made. However, you may schedule your visa interview prior to paying the SEVIS fee.
4. The SEVIS fee is not refundable. If your visa application is denied, and you decide to re-apply for the same type of visa at a later date, you will not be asked to make a second SEVIS fee payment as long as your visa application is made within 12 months of the initial denial.
5. If the SEVIS fee is not paid, your F-1 or J-1 visa record cannot be validated and registered in SEVIS.

How to Complete the I-901 and Pay the SEVIS Fee
Payment of the SEVIS fee may be made by you or by any other individual, either in the United States or abroad, including family or friends. However, anyone paying the fee on your behalf will need to have a copy of your I-20 or DS-2019 form, or a completed copy of Form I-901.

To complete form I-901, you must enter some basic information:

1. F-1 Student Visa applicants need to enter the UA SEVIS SCHOOL CODE: ATL214F01174000,
2. J-1 Student Visa Applicants need to enter the UA J-1 EXCHANGE VISITOR PROGRAM NUMBER: P-1-03854, and
3. You must enter your SEVIS ID number (e.g. N00*******), which is printed at the top of the I-20 or DS-2019 form.

Using The University of Alabama’s I-20 or DS-2019, you may currently complete the Form I-901 and pay the SEVIS Fee using one of three payment methods:

1. Payment in U.S. dollars by credit card online at http://www.fmjfee.com/ (Note: students from Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and Gambia cannot pay by credit card online, see information below) , or
2. Payment by mail in U.S. dollars by check, money order, or bank draft, drawn on a U.S. bank, and mailed to an address in the United States,
   • To pay by mail, you must download and print form I-901 from http://www.fmjfee.com/, fill out the form and mail it with your payment to I-901 Student/Exchange Visitor Processing Fee, 1005 Convention Plaza, St. Louis, MO 63101, United States – Phone Number: 1-314-418-8833.
   • Your payment must be in U.S. dollars by check, money order or bank draft, drawn on a U.S. bank. Your check, bank draft or money order should be made payable to: “I-901 Student/Exchange Visitor Processing Fee.”  Also, be sure to print your name and SEVIS ID number in the lower left-hand corner of the check, money order or bank draft.
   • The need for a check, bank draft or money order in U.S. dollars drawn on a U.S. bank does not mean that only a U.S. bank can issue the document. Many foreign banks are able to issue checks or money orders drawn on a U.S. bank, because they are chartered in the United States, or because they are foreign subsidiaries of a U.S. bank, or because they have arrangements with a U.S. bank to issue a check, money order, or foreign draft that is drawn on a U.S. bank.
   • Payment by mail is not the recommended process for fee payment from abroad, as it can take as long as four weeks from the day you mail in the fee to the day that you receive the required receipt in the mail if you are applying from outside the United States, unless you pay for courier service.
3. Payment via Western Union:
   • Fill out the Form I-901 online at http://www.fmjfee.com/. A payment coupon will be generated upon completion of the form.
   • Print a copy of the payment coupon and take it to your local Western Union.
   • Fill out the Quick Collect/Quick Pay Form according to the information found at the bottom of the printed coupon. Example below:
     Company Name (or Code City): SEVISFEE
     Account Number: Coupon Number (ex: 010222013872390)
     Amount: $350 for F-1 students and $220 for J-1 students*
     *Please note that the payment amount may differ according to your specific visa type.
   • Present the coupon and your payment to the Western Union Agent for processing.
   • Payment will be linked to your Form I-901 and your online payment confirmation will be available immediately at http://www.fmjfee.com/.

Special note for students from Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and Gambia – from Study In The States

• A prospective F-1 and J-1 student with a country of citizenship or country of birth of Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria or Gambia must pay by money order, Western Union Quick Pay or certified check drawn from a U.S. bank.  Students from Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria or Gambia cannot pay by credit card, and third party payers are also restricted from paying the fee by credit card on the student’s behalf.
• All other prospective F-1 and J-1 students also have the option to make a credit card payment on FMJfee.com.
• SEVP will accept third party payments, meaning someone else can pay your I-901 SEVIS Fee. Again, for students who cannot pay the fee by credit card, third party payers are also restricted from paying the fee by credit card.

Showing Proof of SEVIS Fee Payment at the Visa Interview and the U.S. Port of Entry
You must be able to prove that the fee has been paid when you appear for your visa interview, and when you enter the United States. This is done by presenting a printed receipt, either from the Internet if you made an on-line payment or a mailed receipt if you paid by mail.

Visa officers and U.S. port-of entry inspectors should be able to verify SEVIS fee payment electronically three business days after payment is processed, but in case of problems, having a printed receipt is the best evidence of fee payment. If you lose or did not receive a receipt for fee payment, the U.S. government does retain an electronic record that the fee has been paid.

The visa will not be issued unless verification of the SEVIS fee payment can be made.

Applying for a Student Visa

Once you receive your I-20 or DS-2019 from The University of Alabama, you may apply for a visa up to 365 days prior to your program start date (though you cannot enter the U.S. until 30 days prior to the program start date).

Before you apply for your visa, you must pay the SEVIS Fee as outlined above, which is required of all new F-1 and J-1 students and must be paid prior to applying for your student visa.

1. COMPLETING THE DS-160

To apply for your visa, you should submit the online visa application form DS-160 and pay the Visa Application Fee (See: Visa Fees and Reciprocity Agreements).  Note, the Visa Fee is a separate fee from the SEVIS Fee.

• DS-160 Online Visa Application Page
• DS-160 Frequently Asked Questions
• DS-160 Sample
• How to Apply for an F-1 Visa Guide
• Visa Fees and Reciprocity Agreements

2. SETTING YOUR VISA APPOINTMENT

After completing the DS-160, you should set your visa appointment at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate with jurisdiction over your place of permanent residence (per 22 CFR 41.101(a)(1)).

• Although visa applicants may apply at any U.S. consular office abroad, it may be more difficult to qualify for the visa outside the country of permanent residence.
• Prior to scheduling your interview, you can check visa appointment waiting times online (Click here, to check Visa Waiting times).  In larger countries with multiple U.S. Consular locations, you may find better visa appointment availability at a different consulate location within your country.

Please note that depending on your country of residence and field of study, visa processing times can exceed one month, so apply early.

Special Note for Canadians, Bermudians, and Bahamians: No student visa stamp is required for Canadian and Bermudian citizens (8 CFR 212.1(a)(1) and (2)).  Additionally, no student visa stamp is required in some circumstances for Bahamian citizens who have been approved by an examining U.S. immigration officer at Freeport or Nassau (8 CFR 212.1(a)(3)).  However, Canadians, Bahamian, and Bermudians must have a valid F-1 I-20 or J-1 DS-2019 to enter the U.S. as students, and they must pay the SEVIS Fee prior to arrival.

Visa Interview Preparation

Documentation Required for the Visa Interview – Generally, you should prepare the following documents before your visa interview:

Please refer to the U.S. Department of State Web site for more guidance:

• F-1 Students
• J-1 Students and Exchange Visitors

You should also consult your U.S. Embassy or Consulate – http://www.usembassy.gov/ to see if there are any additional country-specific visa application requirements.

Visa Interview Tips

*Adapted from NAFSA’s 10 Points to Remember When Applying for a Non-immigrant VISA

1.Proving Non-Immigrant Intent
F-1 and J-1 visas are considered non-immigrant visas. Accordingly, during the student visa interview, applicants must establish their non-immigrant intent to the satisfaction of the consular officer.

Non-immigrant intent means that you have binding ties to your home country and have a home which you have no intention of abandoning, and that you will depart the United States when you have completed your studies.

It is impossible to specify the exact form the evidence of non-immigrant intent should take since applicants’ circumstances vary greatly, but generally, “Ties” to your home country are the things that connect you to your hometown, homeland, or current place of residence: job, family, owning a house or apartment, financial prospects that you own or will inherit, investments, etc. As a student visa applicant, the interviewing officer may ask about your specific plans or promise of future employment, family or other relationships, educational objectives, grades, long-range plans and career prospects in your home country.

2. English – The interview will generally be conducted in English and not in your native language. One suggestion is to practice English conversation with a native speaker before the interview, but do not prepare speeches!

3. Speak for Yourself – The consular officer wants to interview you, not your family or an agent, and a more positive impression is created if you are prepared to speak on your own.

4. Know the Program and How It Fits Your Career Plans – Be able to explain to the consular officer why you chose to study at The University of Alabama and specifically in the major or degree program you have chosen.

Graduate students must be able to articulate their research plans and may require additional documentation from your supervising faculty member.  If you study/work in a STEM field, we advise you to ask your faculty supervisor to write a letter that briefly describes the specific area of your study/research in layperson’s terms.  We have drafted a sample letter and explanation which can be modified by your faculty supervisor.  Often the U.S. Consulate will also request the CV and publication list of the faculty supervisor or department chair.  We also recommend that you bring the following to the visa interview: a copy of your degree study plan (https://catalog.ua.edu/), transcripts, and a copy of your resume/CV.

5. Be Brief and Maintain a Positive Attitude – It is important to dress nicely and smile during your interview.  Keep your answers to the officer’s questions short and to the point, responding precisely to the consular officer’s questions and statements.

The best thing that you can do is to clearly articulate —

• Why you want to go to The University of Alabama
• What you plan to study
• How you plan to use your education when you return home

Be ready to cover this information in no more than about 3 to 5 sentences, and practice saying those sentences with family and friends until you become comfortable with the English.

Here are some of the types of questions that you might get asked:

• Why have you chosen this university?
• Who will sponsor your education?
• Why don’t you study this in your own country?
• Do you intend to work in the U.S.?
• What are your plans after finishing the degree?
• What was your TOEFL score?

If you are denied the student visa, ask the officer for a list of documents they would suggest you bring to overcome the denial and try to get the reason you were denied in writing.  For more information about responding to a visa denial, visit the U.S. Department of State’s web page explaining visa denials.

6. Supporting Documentation – There are a few supporting documents which are common among all students such as financial documentation, admission letter(s), and scholarship letters. Students should be prepared to take all documentation proving their financial ability to stay in the United States such as scholarships, assistantships or other letters issued by the school, sponsor or other organization.  The financial information indicated on your Form I-20 or DS-2019 should match the evidence provided to the consular officer.

If you will be a graduate student in the United States, consular officials may want a letter from your supervising professor or faculty member that explains your intended research goals (see above).

7. Different Requirements for Different Countries – Applicants from developing countries and from countries where many students have remained in the United States long-term rather than returning home often have more difficulty getting visas. They are also more likely to be asked about job opportunities at home after their study in the United States.

You should review your country’s specific requirements on the U.S. consulate’s website.  Also, several U.S. consulates around the globe have created YouTube videos which explain the visa process at their specific posts. Always check your specific U.S. embassy or consulate to see if a new YouTube video is available. A select list of consular YouTube videos is located below as a resource.

8. Employment – While many students work on- or off-campus during their studies, such employment is incidental (secondary/optional) to their main purpose of completing their U.S. education.  As a student visa applicant you must be clear about your primary purpose being to study.  Also, you must be able to clearly explain your plan to return home at the end of your program.

If you are applying for an F-1 visa and your spouse or children are also applying for an accompanying F-2 visa, be aware that F-2 dependents cannot be employed in the United States. If asked, be prepared to address what your spouse intends to do with their time while in the United States. Volunteering in the community and attending school part-time are permitted activities for F-2 dependents.

9. Dependents Remaining at Home – If your spouse and children are remaining behind in your country, be prepared to explain how they will support themselves in your absence. This can be especially difficult to explain if you are the primary source of income for your family. If the consular officer gains the impression that you intend to support your family with money you may earn during your studies in the United States, your student visa application will almost certainly be denied.

If your spouse or children decide to join you at a later time as an F-2/J-2 dependent, it may be helpful to have them apply at the same post where you applied for your visa, but that is not always required if your family is living in another district.  Also remember, F-2/J-2 dependent visa interviews are more challenging when an F-2 or J-2 dependent is filing separately from the F-1 or J-1 student.  F-2/J-2 Dependents need to be able to clearly state their reason for joining you, their ties to the home country, and establish their non-immigrant intent.

10. Other Special Considerations

• Tell the truth – do not lie during the interview, as lying is an act of perjury.
• Social media question on the visa application – the “social media” question on Form DS-160, the standard online application used by individuals to apply for a nonimmigrant visa. The item requires applicants to indicate the social media platforms that they have used during the five years preceding their visa application, and to provide any identifiers or handles they used on those platforms.
• Administrative processing delays – Some students may experience delays in obtaining a visa because of “administrative processing.” See informatoin below in our Delays & Denials section.  For more information, visit the U.S. Department of State’s Administrative Processing Information web page.
• Past visits to the U.S. – You may be asked to explain past visits and stays in the United States and/or any prior visa statuses held by you or your family members. Also, students who formerly held an employment-based immigration status (H-1B) or had Optional Practical Training (OPT) or STEM OPT might also need to explain the reasons for additional study in the United States instead of working at home.
• Third country applications – If you are not a citizen or permanent resident of the country in which you currently live or the country where you plan to apply for a visa (i.e., you are a “third country national”), you may also have to explain your intent to return to that country upon completion of your studies in the United States.
• Arrests and convictions – Documentation should accompany any arrests or convictions within the U.S. or abroad, including any arrests or convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Always check with an experienced immigration attorney if you have any current or past legal issues.

Visa Interview Video Resources

Many U.S. Embassies and Consulates have prepared YouTube video resources and have extensive social media support for student visa applicants.

Below are a number of videos on various visa applicatoin topics, organized by country location.

We strongly suggest that you follow the social media presence of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your home country or place of residence for helpful guidance on the visa application process.

You should also connect with your nearest EducationUSA Center or American Spaces office.  They have fantastic resources for you as you prepare for your American education journey.

U.S. Embassy in Dhaka, Bangladesh

• Apply the Right Way, Apply the Smart Way
• Applying for a U.S. Student Visa
• Fingerpinting during your U.S. Visa Interview

U.S. Embassy in Bogota, Colombia

• What to bring to the nonimmigrant visa interview?
• If you have a visa interview coming up?

U.S. Embassy in Accra, Ghana

• Student Visa Application Process – Q&A

U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India

• How do I start the process to obtain a student visa?
• What is SEVIS?
• How do I pay my I-901 SEVIS Fee?
• How early can I apply for my visa?
• How early can I enter the U.S.?
• How can I request an expedited appointment?
• What should I bring to my student visa interview?
• What does it mean if I am denied under INA 214(b)?

U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia

• How to Apply for U.S. Visa

U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, Japan

• How to Apply for a Student Visa by Mail in Japan
• Non-immigrant visa interview procedures
• Student Visa FAQs

U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, Mexico

• Solicita tu visa

U.S. Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria

• Student Visa Orientation
• U.S. Student Application Process
• How to get I-20 and Pay SEVIS Fee
• Documents for Student Visa Interview
• What to say at a Student Visa Interview
• Who can sponsor my education in the U.S.?

U.S. Embassy in Manila, Philippines

• Student Visas
• Do’s and Don’ts of U.S. Visas

U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

• F-1 Visa and I-20 Tips

U.S. Embassy in London, U.K.

• Attending your non-immigrant visa interview at the U.S. Embassy in London
• A walk through visa appointments at the U.S. Embassy in London

Visa Delays – Security Clearances and Administrative Processing

Please note that when you apply for a visa, you may be subject to a security clearance that can cause delays of weeks or even months in the issuance of your visa and your arrival in the U.S. This clearance is most commonly known as Administrative Processing, and it is often connected to Section 221(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

You may be requested to provide additional information in order to receive clearance and be issued a visa.

Unfortunately, if you are selected for Administrative Processing, there is nothing that International Student & Scholar Services or any other office can do to expedite the processing.

The following are two common types of Administrative Processing delay that you might encounter:

1) Field of Study:  If a visa applicant’s area of study is on the U.S. federal government’s “technology alert list,” which includes many of the science and technology fields, the U.S. Consulate may seek a security clearance prior to granting the visa.  This process may delay your visa application by anywhere from 10 days to 3 months.  There is no way to know for certain whether you will be subject to this type of clearance.

If you study/work in a STEM field, we advise you to ask your faculty supervisor or department chair to write a letter that briefly describes the specific area of your study/research in layperson’s terms.  We have drafted a sample letter and explanation which can be modified by your faculty supervisor or department chair.  Often the U.S. Consulate will also request the CV and publication list of the faculty supervisor or department chair.

We also recommend that you bring the following to the visa interview: a copy of your degree study plan (https://catalog.ua.edu/), transcripts, and a copy of your resume/CV.  These materials will not necessarily deter a security clearance, but they will help address most of the common 221(g) inquiry details.

2) Country of Citizenship, Nationality or Birth:  A security clearance may also be required by the U.S. Consulate if a visa applicant was born in or is a citizen or national of certain countries. The list of countries is not published, but seems to include the following:  Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Cuba, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Morocco, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, and the territories of Gaza and West Bank.

What to do about Visa Delays
Students who have been selected for Administrative Processing and believe it will delay their entry to the U.S. beyond the start date listed on their I-20/DS-2019 should contact International Student and Scholar Services. Generally speaking, if a visa issuance delay extends beyond the first week of classes, our only option will be to defer your admission to the following semester and update your I-20/DS-2019 accordingly.

If you have been waiting for more than one month for the results of an Administrative Processing clearance, contact International Student and Scholar Services at international@ua.edu to seek assistance.  In the email, please include the following:

1. A copy of the DS-160 Confirmation Receipt (for yourself and any F-2/J-2 Dependents who applied with you)
2. The date, time, and Consular location where your visa interview took place

Please be aware that there is nothing that can be done to expedite the case, but ISSS can submit an inquiry with the U.S. Consulate processing your case in case additional information may be needed.

Executive Order Suspending Entry of Some Chinese Graduate Students and Visiting Scholars

On June 1, 2020, the Proclamation on the Suspension of Entry as Nonimmigrants of Certain Students and Researchers from the People’s Republic of China went into effect.

While we believe the scope of impact from this proclamation will be relatively low at The University of Alabama, International Student & Scholar Services will continue to monitor the situation and update the community.

Until ISSS is advised otherwise by the U.S. government, we will continue to process immigration documents for all F-1 and J-1 students and visiting scholars from China.

The proclamation did not specify the list of the affected institutions or entities in China.  Instead, the proclamation directs the U.S. Secretary of State to identify the affected people as well as certain fields of study or research that would contribute to China’s military-civil fusion strategy.

During a June 16, 2020 teleconference, the Department of State indicated that the list of entities will not be made public. However, DOS did mention the following resources that could give individuals a better background understanding:

• Military-Civil Fusion and the People’s Republic of China, U.S. Department of State Fact Sheet.
• Technology Transfers to the PRC Military and U.S. Countermeasures: Responding to Security Threats with  New Presidential Proclamation. Arms Control and International Security Papers, Volume I, Number 9, June 5, 2020. Christopher A. Ford, Office of the Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security.
• China Defence Universities Tracker, by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (note: DOS offered this only as an example of how one country, Australia, flagged entities on a risk scale; DOS was clear that individuals should not assume that the U.S. list of entities will mirror or be based on the Australian tracker).

Additional resources on the Executive Order:

1. NAFSA: Association of International Educators
2. American Immigration Lawyers Association

SEVIS Transfer – Transferring I-20/DS-2019 to UA

NOTE: If you are currently in F-1 or J-1 status at a high school or another college/university inside the U.S., please be sure to have your SEVIS Record transferred to the University of Alabama within your grace period (60-days for F-1 students/ 30-days for J-1 students).  You will need to provide the DSO/ARO at your current school with a copy of your admission letter to UA and request that they transfer your record to The University of Alabama, F-1 School Code: ATL214F01174000; J-1 EV Program Number: P-1-03854.

Transferring-In to The University of Alabama
For F-1 & J-1 students transferring their SEVIS record to The University of Alabama, to receive your transfer I-20 or DS-2019:

1. Submit scans of the following to the ISSS Secure Upload Portal using your myBama credentials (for myBama set up, see OIT Page for new students and information on Duo two-factor authentication):
   • Admission Letter
   • I-20/DS-2019 Request Form
   • Proof of funding (e.g. scholarship letter, fellowship letter, assistantship letter, financial guarantee, or personal funds);
   • Passport; and
   • Current Visa/Visa Document (if inside the U.S.).
   • Make sure that you complete Section 4 of the I-20/DS-2019 Request Form confirming your current visa status.
2. Submit your UA Admission Letter to the Designated School Official or Responsible Officer at your current high school, college, or university and request them to transfer your SEVIS record to The University of Alabama – F-1 School Code: ATL214F01174000; J-1 EV Program Number: P-1-03854.
3. When you request your DSO/RO at your current institution to release your SEVIS record to The University of Alabama, please email International Student & Scholar Services at international@ua.edu to confirm the date of the pending transfer.
4. After your current institution releases the SEVIS record to us and it is past the release date indicated on it, The University of Alabama will issue a new I-20/DS2019.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT CHECK-IN & ORIENTATION REQUIREMENT: It is mandatory that you complete International Student Check-in and Orientation with International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) upon your arrival to The University of Alabama.

Travel and Visa Information for SEVIS Transfer-in Students
With the exception of Canadian citizens, you need to check your visa stamp to make sure that it will be valid upon re-entry to the United States.

• If you have an Unexpired Visa stamp – You do not need to apply for a new visa stamp if your current one is still valid. Despite the fact that your current visa F1 / J1 stamp indicates your previous school, you will be able to use it to re-enter the US when using your University of Alabama transfer pending I-20 / DS-2019.

• If you have an Expired Visa stamp – If you are going to travel out of the US with the transfer pending I-20 or DS-2019 and your previous F1 or J1 visa has expired, you should use the Transfer Pending I-20 or DS-2019 to obtain a new visa stamp for your passport. If you do not have a valid visa, you need to obtain the visa appropriate to the document that you are requesting. Please contact the U.S. Consulate in your home country for application procedures. Be prepared to present financial documentation with the I-20 / DS-2019 document when you apply for the visa. As a transfer student, you are not required to pay the SEVIS fee again unless you no longer have proof that you have paid it. You should carry all of your previous I-20 or DS-2019 forms to your visa interview and when entering the US in the event that you are asked further questions about your previous status.

Change-of-Status to F-1 or J-1 within the U.S.

If you are currently in a visa status other than F-1 or J-1 student status and would like to change to F-1 or J-1 status, an application for change of status must be filed with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).  Please consult with an International Student and Scholar Services advisor before filing your change of status application.

PLEASE BE AWARE OF THE FOLLOWING PRIOR TO FILING A CHANGE-OF-STATUS REQUEST:

1. I-539 PETITIONS FOR CHANGE-OF-STATUS ARE SLOW: Please be aware that Change-of-Status petitions take a very long time to process – as long as 6 – 10 months at US Citizenship and Immigration Services (check I-539 Processing times for the Vermont Service Center).  If you require a fast decision, it is possible to file an I-907 Petition for Premium Processing with USCIS along with an additional filing fee.
2. NO F-1 OR J-1 STUDENT BENEFITS UNTIL CHANGE-OF-STATUS APPROVED: Until the change-of-status is approved, you will not be eligible for any on-campus or off-campus work authorization benefits eligible to an F-1 or J-1 student (including graduate assistantships), and you may not be allowed to study full-time if you are transitioning from an F-2 dependent visa or B-1/B-2 visitor visa categories that restrict university-level study.
3. NO TRAVEL WHILE CHANGE-OF-STATUS CASE IS PENDING: Once the I-539 Change-of-Status petition is submitted to USCIS, you cannot leave the United States for any reason until the case has been processed.  If you leave the U.S., even for a Caribbean Cruise, your I-539 petition will be considered “abandoned,” and the case will be cancelled by USCIS.  Only once the I-539 Change-of-Status petition has been approved will you be able to travel internationally.
4. CHANGE-OF-STATUS APPROVAL IS NOT A VISA: Once the Change-of-Status is approved, you will receive an I-797 Approval Notice granting you F-1 or J-1 Student status.  However, the approval notice form is not a visa and cannot be used for re-entry to the U.S.  You will need to apply for an F-1 or J-1 Student visa stamp at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate the next time you travel internationally beyond North America (see Student Travel Requirements page)
5. B-1/B-2 TO F-1 APPLICANTS: If you are currently on a B-1/B-2 Visitor Visa Status and you want to apply to change status to an F-1 or J-1 student visa status, applying for a Change-of-Status within the first 90 days of entry to the U.S. in B-1/B-2 status will likely result in a denial and may be considered fraudulent entry based on a misrepresentation of status based on 9 FAM 302.9-4(B)(3)(g)(2) – Inconsistent Conduct Within 90 Days of Entry.  This change to the Foreign Affairs Manual was published on September 20, 2017.
6. NO BRIDGE PETITION REQUIRED:  Effective July 20, 2021, USCIS no longer requires someone in another visa status to maintain their status continuously while awaiting a change-of-status.  All that is required as an applicant for a change-of-status is that your nonimmigrant status is unexpired at the time of filing the I-539 change-of-status to F-1 application, and that you otherwise remain eligible for a change-of-status.  This is what is known as “timely filing” of a petition.  See USCIS’s Special Instruction Page for more information.

CHANGE-OF-STATUS STEPS

Step One — MEET WITH ISSS AND APPLY FOR I-20/DS-2019

1. Meet with an ISSS advisor to assess your eligibility for a Change-of-Status to F-1 or J-1 student status.
2. Complete and submit the I-20/DS-2019 Request Form with required proof of funding.
3. ISSS will prepare the F-1 I-20 or J-1 DS-2019 and any necessary F-2/J-2 Dependent documents for a spouse and children and provide them to you.

Step Two — PREPARE YOUR I-539 PETITION (AND I-907 PETITION IF EXPEDITING)
International Student & Scholar Services cannot prepare your change-of-status petition.

ISSS strongly advises you to seek the assistance of competent legal counsel to represent you in applying for a Change-of-Status to F-1 or J-1 Student status.  A list of immigration attorneys can be found on https://ailalawyer.com/.

General guidance for applying to USCIS for a Change-of-status can be found on the USCIS Website.

While International Student & Scholar Services cannot help you prepare your petition, below you will find a generalized list of documents needed to be submitted to USCIS:

1. Form I-539: “Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status” and an additional Form I-539A for each F-2/J-2 dependent co-applicant.
2. The current I-539 Application Fee – check should be made payable to the “U.S. Department of Homeland Security”.
3. Form I-907 Premium Processing Application and Filing Fee if you require a fast decision.
4. A cover letter from you addressed to the USCIS requesting the change of status and explaining your circumstances. Include why you entered the U.S. in your current status, why and how your intentions changed after arrival in the U.S. and any other relevant information.
5. Proof of financial support (bank statement, assistantship letter, etc.) equivalent to one year of study including living expenses.
6. A newly-issued Form I-20 or DS 2019 from International Student & Scholar Services.
7. SEVIS Fee Receipt (pay online).
8. A letter of acceptance from UA.
9. Photocopies of the following pages of your passport:
   1. Passport ID page (with your picture on it)
   2. Passport page that includes current expiration date
   3. The most recent US Visa page of your passport
10. Copy of your I-94 Record.
11. Photocopies of additional immigration documents pertaining to your current status (e.g. H-4, E-2 or L-3 I-797 Approval Notices, F-2 I-20s, J-2 DS-2019s, etc.).
12. If you are currently in a dependent visa status (e.g. F-2, E-2, J-2, H-4, etc.), please include copies of the passport, visa, and supporting immigration documents for the primary visa holder (e.g. the F-1, J-1, or H-1B visa holder who sponsors your current status).
13. SPECIAL NOTE FOR WORK VISA HOLDERS AND THEIR DEPENDENTS: If your visa status is based on employment or as the dependent of someone who holds a work visa (e.g. H, L, E, TN visas), it is recommended to include documentation of the principal visa holder’s proof of current employment and valid status.
14. DEPENDENTS: If your application includes the sponsorship of any F-2/J-2 dependents (spouse or children), include:
    1. a Form I-539A for each dependent included on the I-539;
    2. a copy of the documents listed in items 8, 9, and 10 above, for each dependent;
    3. proof of your relationship (marriage certificate, children’s birth certificates),
    4. and a newly issued F-2 Dependent I-20 or J-2 Dependent DS-2019 form for each dependent.

Step Three — SUBMIT PETITION TO USCIS
Ship petition to the appropriate USCIS Office: https://www.uscis.gov/i-539-addresses (if filing Premium Processing, see Direct Filing Addresses for I-907).

Please make a photocopy/scan of your entire application and supporting documents for your files before sending them to USCIS. Send the application to the appropriate USCIS filing address as indicated in the instructions for form I-539.

IMPORTANT: When you receive an approval for your Change-of-Status from USCIS, please report to International Student & Scholar Services immediately. Send or bring a photocopy of your I-20 or DS-2019, I-797 “Approval Notice” and new I-94 record to ISSS.