FAQs- New Students
Please note that effective May 11, 2023, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) ended its Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) guidance, consistent with the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, following the end of the COVID-19 National Emergency on April 10, 2023. Regulations have reverted back to pre-COVID, requiring the following:
- Enrollment in all in-person or hybrid courses with the exception of one online course per semester.
- Being physically present in the U.S. by the start of the academic semester to maintain valid F-1 status.
- Maintaining status in your final semester by enrolling in at least one in-person or hybrid course.
- Ensuring you are not out of the U.S. for longer than 5 months, unless a leave of absence has been requested.
General
- If I am successful in obtaining my F-1 visa stamp, how late may I enter the U.S.?
- Will I be able to defer my application to the next semester? If allowed, do I have to request a new I-20 and pay a new SEVIS fee?
- I am a new student starting my classes. Is there an extension on submitting my immunization records?
- On the form DS-160, what should I put as the "intended length of stay" in the U.S.?
- What is the email address and the phone number I can list as the point of contact in the U.S. on the form DS-160?
- I paid the SEVIS I-901 fee for the school I initially intended to attend. Now I want to attend SJSU. How can I transfer the SEVIS I-901 for the I-20 I received from SJSU?
- I already received my F-1 visa with another school’s I-20 but I want to come to SJSU. What should I do?
SEVIS Transfer Students
- I am a new transfer student in the United States. How do these guidelines affect my immigration status?
- I am a new transfer student in the United States. Do I need to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee and the DS-160 visa application fee?
- I am a transfer student. Do I need to apply for a new visa when I return to the U.S.?
- Is the travel signature required on the second page of a "Transfer-Pending" I-20 or "Change of Education Level" I-20 in order to enter the U.S.?
Major vs. CIP code
Contact Us
San José State University
One Washington Square
Student Union - CPGE
San Jose, CA 95192-0135
Office Hours
Monday-Friday 9am – 4:30pm