HELLO
International Students and Scholars Office and UTD Africa
Who is here today?
Jennifer Garcia: Assistant Director for New and
Transfer Students, ISSO
Princewill Attai: Senior Manager Outreach and
Recruitment, UTD Africa
Yash Bharat Thakkar: Masters in Business Analytics
and A.I./IC Global Ambassador
Maureen Okwulogu: PhD in Visual and Performing
Arts/ IC Global Ambassador
International Students and Scholars Office
APPLY FOR YOUR I-20
1000+ students have already received their I-20s. Remaining pending requests will be
completed soon!
What Documents to Submit:
• Copy of the passport ID Page
o This is the page that shows your name, photo, and
expiration date
• The UT Dallas F-1 Financial Affidavit form.
• Supplemental Financial Support Documents
o This includes bank statements, loan letter, scholarships,
etc,.
o Funding documents must meet the requirements listed
on the following UT Dallas website
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APPLY FOR THE
F-1 VISA:
1 Verify the information on your I-2O and pay the I-
901 SEVIS fee.
2 Complete the DS-160 and schedule an
appointment.
3 Demonstrate that you are a bona fide student with
non-immigrant intent
VISA INTERVIEW
PREPARATION
You’ve received your I-20, paid your I-901 SEVIS fee, and applied for a visa interview appointment. What’s next?
• ISSO’s new service: Mock Visa Interview Preparation!
• Gather your documents.
o Visit the Visa Application website for the list: https://isso.utdallas.edu/travel-and-visas/visa/
• Review the consulate/embassy website for further requirements and instructions
• Speak for yourself
• Interview is 1-3 minutes long (sometimes even 30 seconds)
• Be prepared for interview questions:
o Academic, financial, and immigration history/ties to home country
o Common interview questions (available on our webpage)
NON-IMMIGRANT INTENT
F-1 visas are non-immigrant visas meaning the visa holder intends to return to their home
country at the end of their stay.
Communicate
Be honest! Be confident!
clearly!
TRAVEL & ADMISSION
TO THE UNITED STATES
• You cannot arrive more than 30 days before
your program start date!
• Be prepared with documents and questions.
• Keep in mind it is CBP discretion to allow entry
to the U.S.
• Check your I-94 before leaving the airport.
• Plan ahead!
• Watch an informative video on what to expect
at the port of entry HERE.
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REGISTER FOR CLASSES
• Check for holds in Galaxy. • Drop your classes if your plans change!
• Communicate with your academic o You will be financially responsible!
department.
ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS
F-1 students must enroll full-time each fall
and spring semester unless approved for
a reduced course load.
Learn more at Minimum
Academic level Instruction type
https://isso.utdallas.edu/immigration- hours
status/enroll-req/. Of the required 12 credit
12 credit
Undergraduate hours, at least 9 hours
hours
must be “face-to-face”
A graduate student enrolls in 9 credit hours, with 3 Of the required 9 credit
credit hours online. This meets enrollment 9 credit
requirements because the student is taking the Graduate hours, at least 6 hours
minimum required credit hours and is only hours
counting one online course towards the required must be “face-to-face”
hours. Hybrid courses are considered online
courses.
ISSO PROGRAMING
The ISSO hosts events, webinars and offers services from before you arrive until you graduate
and beyond!
Engage! Learn! Grow!
WEBINARS AND EVENTS
• F-1/J-1 Status Workshop
• Job Searching for International Graduate Students
• Optional Practical Training (OPT) Workshop
• Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Workshop
• On Campus Employment Workshop
• Travel Group Chat
• Road to Success Webinar
• Success Starts Here: Journey to UT Dallas Series
• H-1B Seminar
• Pizza and Academic Dishonesty
• Unlock your Financial Potential
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YOU’VE MADE A GREAT CHOICE!
Q&A with
IC Global Ambassadors
Speak up! Ask! Learn!
Contact the ISSO:
https://isso.utdallas.edu/prospective-and-
transfer-in-immigration-advising/
• Live chat with an advisor
• Schedule an advising appointment
• Ask an advisor eForm in iComet
• Prospective student group
chats/webinars
Be sure to follow @ic.risingcomets on Instagram for the latest news!
