Student Visa Information
Housing & Visa
Off-Campus Housing Resources
University of Fairfax does not provide on-campus housing for students and encourages international students to experience full-immersion into the American culture by learning how to live off-campus. Once formally accepted into an UOF program, the Director of International Students will provide referral assistance for housing and apartments available in the local communities and will be available to help you throughout this process. During your stay in America, our staff organizes many activities to keep our international students actively involved at the UOF and in the local community. Our international students often build close connections and friendships with each other and other American students during their time studying at UOF.
Student Visa Information
One of the first steps to becoming a student in the United States is applying for a student visa. We have a friendly team of staff members who will help you navigate this process. Contact us today to find out more about how we can help you apply for your student visa!
H1–B Visa Ban
Under a recently announced policy, the United States government has imposed a ban on new issuance of H–1B, H–2B, H4, J–1, and L–1 visas through December 31, 2020.
This ban does not affect visas currently in effect for foreign nationals in the United States, nor does it apply to extensions of existing visas. There are other exceptions provided for certain types of workers as well. For further information, see USCIS.
Visa Types
- F-1 Visa – for individuals engaging in a full course of academic study in an accredited educational program, including language training programs.
- H-1B Visa – for workers who perform professional services for a sponsoring employer in a specific position for a fixed period of time.
- H-2B Visa – for workers in a temporary position for which a shortage of US workers exist, working for a specific employer for a fixed period of time.
- H-4 Visa – for dependents of non-immigrants who hold H visas.
- J-1 Visa – for those who intend to participate in an approved program for the purpose of teaching, studying, observing, conducting research, consulting, demonstrating special skills, receiving training, or to receive graduate medical education or training.
- L-1 Visa – for non-immigrant workers whose foreign employer has transferred them from a subsidiary, affiliate, or branch office overseas to the U.S. to work in an executive, managerial, or specialist capacity, and their dependents.
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Documents you should prepare in advance for the Visa Application Process:
- Submit an Application to the University
The process of applying for a student visa requires participation from both you and us as a university! Once you have submitted an application to either an academic program or for an ESL program at our English Language Institute, UOF will be able to help you through the rest of the student visa process. - Sponsor’s Letter
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security requires that international students will be responsible for their debts and expense. With your application to the university, if you are not funding your own education (or providing your own bank account for payments), you will need to submit a “Sponsor’s Letter” that explains how your financial needs (for housing, food, clothing, healthcare, tuition and fees, etc.) will be met.This letter may be typed but have a hand-written signature, and must be written by:- A family member
- Employer
- Sponsor from the U.S. or your own country
Or
- Anyone who will be supporting your stay here
- Passport
Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States.
4. U.S. Department of State Forms
After you have been admitted to the University and sent in your Sponsor’s Letter, UOF will send you the following forms required by the U.S. Department of State:
- Form I-20
- When I-20 has been issued, you will need to use register for the Certificate of Eligibility of Non-Immigrant Status (SEVIS form I-901) here: https://fmjfee.com/i901fee/.
For more information on the Student Visa application process, please visit the U.S. Department of State Student Visa website or contact us.