{"id":12226,"date":"2023-06-23T13:46:27","date_gmt":"2023-06-23T23:46:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/issmanoa\/?page_id=12226"},"modified":"2025-03-11T15:35:28","modified_gmt":"2025-03-12T01:35:28","slug":"student-visa-application-process","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/issmanoa\/?page_id=12226","title":{"rendered":"Student Visa Application Process"},"content":{"rendered":"

For first time applicants<\/h2>\n
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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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

We recommend you read through all the steps before starting to get an understanding of your path ahead.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

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1. Get Your Certificate of Eligibility: Form I-20 or DS-2019\u00a0<\/h2>\n
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You will receive a <\/span>Form I-20 (for F-1 student) <\/b>or <\/span>DS-2019 (for J-1 student) Certificate of Eligibility<\/b> (COE) once you\u2019ve submitted a complete application and your documents are approved for processing by your relevant Â鶹´«Ã½M\u0101noa<\/span> admission\u2019s office.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you haven\u2019t received your COE please see the page on Getting your F-1 or J-1 Status<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

2. Pay Your SEVIS I-901 Fee<\/h2>\n
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After receiving your I-20\/DS-2019, every new international student or exchange visitor who will begin an \u201cinitial\u201d\u00a0 program of study must pay a one-time SEVIS I-901 fee to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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 <\/span>at least three days<\/b> prior to attending visa appointment at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Canadian citizens<\/strong><\/span> must still pay the SEVIS I-901 fee <\/span>at least three days<\/b> prior to requesting admission to the U.S at a U.S. port of entry even though are exempted from the visa requirement..<\/span><\/p>\n