For Newly Admitted students that choose to travel abroad to apply for the F-1 visa, the International Student Advisor will process an I-20 for the student, following the I-20 Process for Degree Students guide. The student will use the I-20 to apply for the F-1 visa at the U.S. consulate or embassy in the home country. F-1 status is obtained once the student enters the U.S. with the valid Passport, F-1 visa, and I-20.
For Currently Enrolled students that choose to travel abroad to apply for the F-1 visa, the International Student Advisor will process an I-20 for the student. The advisor will provide the student with a detailed email asking for submission of all the required documents for processing the I-20. The start date of the I-20 will likely be the start of the next available semester in which the student will enroll. A confirmation letter from the academic department may be required to determine the length of the time needed on the I-20. The student will use the I-20 to apply for the F-1 Student visa at the U.S. consulate or embassy in the home country. F-1 status is obtained once the student enters the U.S. with the valid Passport, F-1 visa, and I-20.
When the student enters the US in F-1 status, the student is required to come to UFIC to complete the Check-in Process. The student needs to bring the I-20, passport, and visa to UFIC to complete the Check-in.
The "travel option" allows for more control of the change of status process since arriving in the new status will depend on how soon the student can travel to apply for the F-1 visa and how soon the student is able to return once the F-1 visa is granted. If international travel is already planned to occur at some point before studies begin, the method for applying outside the U.S. is recommended. The student needs to schedule an appointment to see an ISA.