Student Visa and Immigration

Traveling from Outside the U.S.

Upon admission and submission of proof of funds, Azusa Pacific University will issue you an I-20 or DS 2019 form. After you have received your I-20 (F-1 visa) or DS 2019 (J-1 visa) from the Office of International Student Compliance, you will need to complete the following steps to apply for a visa:

1. Pay your SEVIS Fee

Online payments can be made at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement website, FMJFEE.com.

• A tutorial of how to pay your fee is available at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security: Study in the States website.
• Pay your fee before your visa appointment.
• Print and save the receipt after completing the payment form.

2. Make an Appointment

Make an appointment with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate that is closest to you in order to obtain a student visa to study at APU. Visa wait times can be found at the U.S. Department of State site.

3. Visa interview

1. What you should bring to your visa appointment:
   • Passport
   • I-20 or DS 2019 form
   • Receipt of I-901 fee (see step 1)
   • APU admission letter
   • Academic records: bring copies of any standardized test scores, academic transcripts, diplomas, or certificates from previous education that you provided in your application.
   • Financial documents: bring copies of the financial documents (such as bank statements) you provided.

2. The U.S. Consulate officers will want to know what your plans are for your education and what your plans are after you graduate. You’ll need to demonstrate that you’ll return to your home country after graduation.
3. For more information see U.S. Department of Homeland Security: Study in the States’ article Five Ways to Prepare for Your Visa Interview.

4. Plan your arrival

Plan to arrive the day before or up to 30 days before your report date indicated on your I-20 or DS 2019.

Bring all items you took to your visa interview in your carry-on bag. Do not check these items! 

5. Global Student Orientation

The first day of orientation is your report date. Please bring your passport and I-20 or DS 2019 to orientation. You’ll submit these items at check-in.

Canadian Citizen

If you are a Canadian citizen, you do not need a visa. You will use your I-20 or DS 2019 form with a passport when you enter the U.S. You are still required to pay your SEVIS fee (see step 1 above) prior to entry.

Transferring from an Institution Inside the U.S.

Upon admission and submission of proof of funds, Azusa Pacific University will issue you an admission letter and request that you submit APU’s transfer authorization form to the school you are leaving. The steps you need to complete are listed below.

1. Submit admission letter and transfer authorization form to current school.

Your current institution may request you complete a form for their office.

2. Your current school’s immigration advisor will send the transfer authorization form to APU.

On the form, your current school’s immigration advisor will indicate the date they plan to electronically release your SEVIS record to APU. The date will be after your last day of classes at your current school.

3. Once APU receives your SEVIS record, APU will create a new I-20. APU will send you an email stating that your I-20 is ready.

You can choose to pick it up or have it mailed to you.

4. Global Student Orientation

The first day of orientation is your report date. Bring your passport and I-20 to orientation. You’ll submit these items at check-in.

Please contact the Office of International Student Compliance at [email protected] for more questions.