Frequently Asked Questions
Applying for Your Student Visa
- What is an F-1 Student Visa?
- What documents do I need to apply for an F-1 visa?
- What is Form I-20?
- What is SEVIS?
- Who pays the SEVIS fee?
- When do I pay the SEVIS fee?
- How do I prepare for the visa interview?
Preparing for Your Trip to the U.S.
- When should I arrive in the U.S.?
- What documents do I need when I arrive in the U.S.?
- What documents do I need for my orientation session at UC Berkeley Extension?
- Maintaining your status
- What is full-time status? (same as F1 status?)
- Can a dependent F-2 spouse or child work or study in the U.S.?
- Can I change status?
- What is special registration?
- Visa Waiver Program (VWP)
- Differences between a B-2 (tourist) visa and the WT visa waiver
- Can I stay in the United States if my student visa has expired?
- Do I need to renew my visa if I transfer from another school?
- Duration of Status (D/S)
- Can I stay in the U.S. past the 60-day grace period?
Transferring Schools
- Transferring from another U.S. school to UC Berkeley Extension
- Transferring from UC Berkeley Extension to another U.S. school
Travel Outside the U.S.
- Can I travel overseas during my course of study?
- What are the requirements to reenter the United States after traveling abroad for pleasure or personal business?
- What if I have an expired passport or one that will expire in less than six months?
- Can I renew my visa outside the United States in a country other than my home country?
- Can I go to Canada or Mexico and apply for a new visa?
- What is automatic visa revalidation?
- What documents do the spouse and minor children of a continuing F-1 student need to enter the United States?
- As a continuing student, will I need to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee if I travel outside the United States?
- I wish to travel to Canada, Mexico, or one of the islands (other than Cuba) adjacent to the United States. Can I return if my visa is expired?
- Which islands are defined as “adjacent islands”?
- Do I need a valid visa to visit Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands?
- How do I know if I have a terminated record in SEVIS?
- Can I reestablish F-1 student status by obtaining a new initial Form I-20 and reentering the United States?
Work Authorization Rules for F-1 Students
- On-Campus Employment
- Economic Hardship
- What is Optional Practical Training (OPT)?
- Can I extend my OPT?
- Reduced Course Load (RCL)
- Program Extension