F-1 Visa Process
Begin your U.S. university journey at Concordia.
F-1 Visa Process
Follow the steps below to receive your Form I-20. The process differs depending on whether you are transferring your F-1 status from another U.S. school or applying for an F-1 visa from outside the United States.
International students are non-citizens of the United States and are responsible for maintaining lawful immigration status. Reference Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Who Can Study? document to understand which visa types may be allowed to study.
Admitted international students can obtain a Form I-20 for F-1 status from Concordia University Irvine. The following Concordia Irvine programs are SEVP-approved for F-1 students:
- Undergraduate bachelor’s degrees (full-time, in-person)
- Master’s of Business Administration
- Master’s of Business Administration: Sports Business
- Master’s of Business Administration: Managerial Science (STEM-designated)
- Master’s of Coaching and Athletics Administration
- Master’s of Science in Coaching and Exercise Science
Here are the steps to receive your I-20 from Concordia:
Step 1: Submit Your Deposit
To secure your spot in the incoming class you will need to submit a non-refundable $300 enrollment deposit. Deposits can be made securely online via credit card or electronic check.
If you prefer to pay by mail, checks can be sent to:
Concordia University Irvine
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
1530 Concordia West
Irvine, CA 92612
To make a tuition payment instead of a deposit, visit the Bursar’s Office.
Step 2: Submit Required Forms and Documents
| REQUIREMENT | ALREADY IN THE U.S. (Transfer Student) | OUTSIDE THE U.S. (New F-1 Visa Applicant) |
|---|---|---|
| Submit the I-20 Request Form | ✅ Required | ✅ Required |
| Copy of Valid Passport | ✅ Required | ✅ Required |
| Scholarship Award Letter | 🔁 Varies, if awarded | 🔁 Varies, if awarded |
| Financial Document 1: Official Bank Statement (≤ 6 months old, includes name & balance showing sufficient funds for your program) | ✅ Required | ✅ Required |
| Financial Document 2: Affidavit of Financial Support Form (Available on MyCUI, International Community Group, F-1 International Student Resources, F-1 International Student Forms) | ✅ Required | ✅ Required |
| Copies of F-2 Dependents’ Passports, Visas, and Proof of Additional Funds ($5,000 per dependent) | 🔁 With dependents only | 🔁 With dependents only |
| Copy of National Letter of Intent (NLI) | 🏃 Athletic students only | 🏃 Athletic students only |
| Copy of F-1 Visa | ✅ Required | ❌ Not applicable |
| Copy of Current I-20 | ✅ Required | ❌ Not applicable |
| Copy of I-94 (get the most recent at i94.cbp.dhs.gov) | ✅ Required | ❌ Not applicable |
| Notify the DSO at your current school of your intent to transfer your SEVIS record to Concordia University Irvine according to your school’s transfer procedures. Provide your Concordia University Irvine admission letter, any required transfer forms, and Concordia’s SEVIS School Code: LOS214F00971000 | ✅ Required (after program/semester ends) | ❌ Not applicable |
Note: Financial documents must be less than six months old at the time of submission. Financial support may come from your own resources or from a sponsor. If your sponsor is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, an affidavit of support (PDF) must be completed and submitted with your application. These same financial documents will also be required at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate when you apply for your visa.
Acceptable evidence of financial support:
- Official bank statements
- Letter on bank letterhead with required signature/stamp
- Scholarship letters
- Lines of credit
- Governmental funding
Unacceptable financial documents:
- Chartered accountant statements
- Payroll reports/expected income
- Tax statements and W-2s
- Property assessments
- Credit cards
- Bank statements without currency amounts
- Other statements of non-liquid assets
For questions on the immigration process, please contact [email protected] or (949) 214-3469.
Step 3: Receive Your Form I-20
Once Step 1 and Step 2 are complete, an electronic I-20 will be sent to your Eagles email account.
- Check your Concordia Eagles email regularly
- Print a copy of your electronic Form I-20 and keep it with you when:
- Applying for an F-1 visa
- Traveling to the United States
If you have trouble logging in to your Eagles email, please contact IT at [email protected].
Step 4: Pay the SEVIS Fee
Pay the I-901 SEVIS fee online before your F-1 visa interview. You can review the processes for paying the Form I-901 SEVIS fee outlined by Homeland Security. After you have paid the fee, you may apply for an F-1 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country.
Step 5: Apply for a Visa
Plan for Visa Wait Times
Visa interview appointment wait times vary by location and season; you should apply for the F-1 visa early. To review wait times for the location you intend to apply at, please visit the Visa Appointment Wait Times outlined by the U.S. Department of State, click Global Visa Wait Times to view the list.
Complete the Online Visa Application
You must complete the DS-160 form and pay the visa application fee, print the application and confirmation page, and bring it to the visa interview.
Schedule & Attend Your Visa Interview
Schedule an appointment for a visa interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate in the country where you live. Interviews may be scheduled at another embassy or consulate if accepted; you should be aware that it may be more difficult to qualify for a visa outside of the country where you live.
Visa Resources
- Study in the States, Applying for a Visa to Travel to the United States
- U.S. Department of State, Study & Exchange
- U.S. Department of State, Announcement of Expanded Screening and Vetting for Visa Applicant VISA EXCEPTION Citizens of Canada and Bermuda who meet all requirements do not have to apply for the F-1 visa.
- Guidance for Canadian citizen students
- Guidance for Bermudian citizen students
Step 6: Enter the U.S.
1. Enter the U.S. within 30 days of your program start date
You may enter the U.S. up to 30 days before the program start date on your I-20. You may not enter more than 30 days early.
2. Enter on an F-1 visa only
Do not enter the U.S. on a B-1/B-2 visitor visa or F-2 dependent visa if you intend to study. You are not permitted to attend school on a B-1/B-2 or F-2 visa, and U.S. Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS) may deny a change-of-status request if you had prior intent to study.
3. Use your Concordia University Irvine I-20
Do not enter the U.S. using an I-20 from another school. If it is your first time studying in the U.S., your F-1 visa should list Concordia University Irvine.
Documents Required at the Port of Entry
When traveling to the U.S., it is recommended that you carry:
- Your signed I-20
- Your valid passport
- Your valid F-1 visa
- Proof of class registration (if available)
We recommend you also hand-carry:
- Financial documents (proof of sufficient funds)
- Your Concordia admission letter
- I-901 SEVIS fee receipt
Documents needed at the Port of Entry:
Traveling without the required documents may result in being denied entry. Final decisions are at the discretion of the CBP officer at the port of entry.
DISCLAIMER: U.S. immigration regulations are subject to change and can be complex on an individual basis. Should students need additional guidance related to their circumstances, they may choose to consult with appropriate legal counsel.
Not sure where to start?
Contact PDSO, Dana Peterson at [email protected] or (949)214-3469 for questions or updates related to the F-1 visa process.
Contact Lonnie Lee, Undergraduate International Admissions, at [email protected] for questions or updates related to international admissions.
Talk to an Admissions Counselor
Our Admissions team is here to guide you through every step of the application process and help you find the path that fits your goals.
Get in Touch
Have questions or need guidance? Our team is here to help you at every step. Reach out and we’ll connect you with the right support.
Admissions Office
1530 Concordia West
Irvine, CA 92612
Phone: (949) 214-3010
Email: [email protected]
Hours: Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.