International student guide.

ANU students must apply for the F-1 student visa — a stamp or sticker placed in your passport at the U.S. embassy or consulate that permits you to enter the U.S. The expiration date is the last day you can use it to enter; once you are in the U.S., the visa may expire as long as your Form I-20 is valid and you maintain F-1 status. A new visa is required for re-entry after travel abroad if the original has expired.

F-1 students must pursue a full course of study toward a specific educational or professional objective at an SEVP-approved institution.

The U.S. Department of State oversees the visa application and issues the visa; the Department of Homeland Security enforces the rules of your visa once you arrive.

After you are accepted and receive an Acceptance Letter, the Designated School Official (DSO) creates your Form I-20 in SEVIS. Use its details to book a visa interview (procedures and wait times vary by country — see travel.state.gov). Send the appointment confirmation to your Admissions Representative; you will then be emailed your Form I-20, which allows you to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee and DS-160 Visa Application fee before the interview. Your Admissions Representative will also schedule a visa interview preparation session.

travel.state.gov ↗

I-901 SEVIS fee ↗

DS-160 application ↗

An unexpired passport

Passport-sized photograph (bring one in case the DS-160 upload failed)

Completed DS-160 form and confirmation page

DS-160 fee payment receipt

I-901 SEVIS fee payment receipt

Form I-20 (emailed copy is OK — be sure you sign it)

Acceptance letter from ANU

Academic transcripts (with translations, if not in English)

Financial evidence used for the Form I-20

The consular officer may also request test scores or proof of English proficiency, your intent to depart the U.S. after your studies, and how you will pay all costs. Visas can be issued up to 365 days before your start date, but you cannot enter the U.S. more than 30 days before it.

The Form I-20 is the primary document showing you have been admitted to a U.S. school and are authorized to apply for F-1 admission. Always keep it with you; request a replacement from your DSO if it is lost or damaged. Double check that everything matches your passport.

SEVIS ID number

Biographical information (name, date of birth, citizenship)

School information

Program of study

Financial information

School attestation

Employment authorization (only if requested for off-campus work)

If you don't attend, your application is automatically rejected — contact the Visa Office to reschedule if needed. Know your school well, answer in English without a translator, and be ready for small talk about the weather, news, your home country, and sports.

What is the name of the school you wish to attend?

Where is the school? What city and part of the U.S.?

Did you use an education agent? Who and why?

Why do you wish to study in the U.S.? Did you consider other countries?

What is the course name and academic level?

When does the course start and finish?

Who is going to pay your tuition fees and living costs?

Where have you arranged housing?

If denied, you may attempt a second interview — contact your Admissions Representative right away for next steps. If approved, the embassy keeps your passport about a week and returns it with your visa stamp. Email a copy to your Admissions Representative, who will guide you through your financial meeting, class registration and payment, and New Student International Orientation.

Once you book your flight, send your itinerary to your Admissions Representative so we can monitor your safe arrival and be available if the Port of Entry needs to contact the University.

Arrange airport transportation and housing for your first week before you arrive. A smartphone with Wi-Fi/data is recommended — apps like WhatsApp work for calls and texts without a U.S. carrier.

Tell your home bank about your travel plans to avoid disruption of funds. You can convert currency to USD on arrival, but most banks charge a fee and not all can convert.

Share your flight itinerary with your ANU contacts, family, and friends.

Rest before your trip — expect fatigue from long-distance travel and time changes.

Check the forecast; temperatures change drastically. Bring a winter coat, socks, and shoes.

Label your baggage with your name, address, email, and phone number.

Don't carry significant cash. Bring a card or bank draft, plus small bills ($1, $5, $10).

Consider travel insurance covering medical expenses, trip interruption, and emergency services.

International student insurance ↗

Keep these documents in your carry-on — you will present them to the Customs and Border Protection Officer on arrival:

Visa and stamped passport

Form I-20

SEVIS fee payment receipt

ANU acceptance letter

Important academic, medical, or legal documents

The specific address where you will stay in the U.S.

Name and contact info of the DSO at ANU

Documented proof of financial support

Marriage certificate (if applicable — F-2 visa)

Birth certificates (if applicable — F-2 visa)

You may enter up to 30 days before the program start date on your Form I-20. At Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the officer will ask about the purpose of your visit, what you will study, and how you will pay. Answer in detail, politely, and calmly — this 5–10 minute interview checks that your documents are in order.

The officer may send you to secondary inspection. If documents are missing or can't be verified, you may be denied entry or issued a Form I-515A — work with your DSO to respond within 30 days. Once admitted, proceed to baggage claim; you may be asked about or to open your luggage.

The I-94 is the electronic record of your admission. Verify the “Admit Until” date and passport stamp show “D/S” (Duration of Status), not a specific date. Retrieve it after each arrival and contact your DSO about mistakes — you will need it for SEVIS check-in.

Retrieve your I-94 ↗

Once you arrive, contact your Admissions Representative and email your U.S. address and a copy of your Form I-94. They will help with any outstanding enrollment steps.

When all your enrollment steps are complete, you have made your tuition payment, and you have been scheduled full time in your classes, the DSO will complete your SEVIS check-in and email you the active (continued attendance) Form I-20. You will need it to apply for a driver's license, work authorization, or a social security number, or to travel in the future.

If you are in the U.S. on another immigration status and want to change to F-1, work with your Admissions Representative to choose an ANU start date before your current status expires. After you receive your acceptance letter, the DSO creates the Form I-20 needed for your USCIS change of status application. Working with an attorney is recommended; file before the I-20 start date and email your I-797C Receipt Notice to your Admissions Representative.

Reviews take time — keep your I-20 current and defer your start date if you haven't been approved. Email any Request for Evidence (RFE) in full so we can coordinate University documents.

If denied, your I-20 will be cancelled, but you can discuss options. If approved, start in the next available session and send your I-797A Approval Notice to your Admissions Representative.

When all your enrollment steps are complete, you have made your tuition payment, and you have been scheduled full time in your classes, the DSO will complete your SEVIS check-in and email you the active (continued attendance) Form I-20. You will need it to apply for a driver's license, work authorization, or a social security number, or to travel in the future.

F-1 students at another SEVP-approved school must be accepted at ANU, complete the top of the transfer eligibility form, and give it with the acceptance letter to their current school to request a SEVIS transfer (the ANU SEVIS School Code is on the form). Coordinate the release date with both schools — any OPT or CPT at your current school ends on that date, and you can't begin classes until the record transfers.

Tell your Admissions Representative about any F-1 status violations at your current school. ANU does not accept terminated or completed SEVIS records without prior PDSO approval. Request an expedite if your transfer is urgent.

When all your enrollment steps are complete, you have made your tuition payment, and you have been scheduled full time in your classes, the DSO will complete your SEVIS check-in and email you the active (continued attendance) Form I-20. You will need it to apply for a driver's license, work authorization, or a social security number, or to travel in the future.

Follow all academic policies and immigration regulations — failure may result in withdrawal or termination of your F-1 status. Attendance should be your priority.

Attend the school whose name appears on your Form I-20.

Register full time every 10-week term — 3 classes for undergraduate, 2 for graduate students.

Make good grades and keep your GPA high.

Maintain a valid passport (for you and your dependents).

Report changes in address, email, and phone to your DSO within 10 days.

F-1 students may not be fully online or attend residency hours via Zoom for any reason.

Failing to attend the entire residency in person may impact your F-1 status.

Attendance is tracked — arriving late or leaving early may jeopardize your status.

Notify your DSO of updates to contact information, employment, immigration status, and travel. Contact your DSO immediately about emergencies or medical issues — medical issues do not allow you to attend classes online.

University Transfer Grant — one-time $750 award for students transferring their I-20 from a U.S. university, college, or ESL program.

ANU Legacy Merit Scholarship — one-time $750 for active I-20 students returning for a second or higher degree after earning at least 135 bachelor's or 42 master's credit hours at ANU.

Refer a Friend Grant — a referred applicant who enrolls receives $750 applied to their first term.

Tuition and fees are due in full before each term. Pay with PayPal (linked bank account or major credit card) or Flywire (automatic currency exchange).

Pay with PayPal ↗

Pay with Flywire ↗

Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, HSBC USA, US Bank

TD Bank, KeyBank, Capital One, Truist, PNC Bank

Most banks require your visa/passport and Form I-94; some require a W-8BEN form if you have no Social Security Number. Always bring your Form I-20.

W-8BEN form (PDF) ↗

Deserve issues Mastercards to F-1 students without a social security number. You need proof of a U.S. bank account balance, your passport, student visa, and Form I-20.

deserve.com ↗

Call your mobile provider before you leave to check U.S. compatibility; otherwise buy a pay-as-you-go phone in the U.S. Free Wi-Fi is common in restaurants, airports, and gyms. Stay connected with WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Skype, or GroupMe.

Facebook ↗

Instagram ↗

X/Twitter ↗

LinkedIn ↗

TikTok ↗

Threads ↗

There is no Department of State insurance requirement, but active international student health insurance is highly recommended given the high cost of U.S. health care. ANU does not provide health insurance. Once settled, locate the nearest pharmacy, urgent care, and hospital.

InternationalStudentInsurance.com ↗

An SSN is needed when you have an employment offer. Make an appointment at your local Social Security Office and bring original, unexpired documents proving age, identity, and work-authorized status. Students with a CPT I-20 will receive a letter from the DSO for the appointment.

To get a U.S. driver's license, pass the written and driving exams at the local DMV; you must be registered as an active student in SEVIS. Auto insurance is required if you buy a vehicle.

GEICO ↗

State Farm ↗

Progressive ↗

Traffic drives on the right. Learn traffic signs and signals before driving — speed limits are posted in MPH, not KPH.

Training that is a required part of your curriculum, directly related to your major, and authorized by the DSO on page 2 of your Form I-20.

Only for programs with a practicum or experiential learning requirement.

Full-time (more than 20 hours/week) or part-time (20 hours or less).

Graduate practicum students complete at least 50 practicum hours each term in their field.

Undergraduates may join an experiential learning track after 36 credit hours, in their field.

Submit a Practicum Proposal Form and Employment Offer Letter for approval.

No paid or unpaid work unless authorized on page 2 of the I-20, and only for the authorized employer.

12 months or more of full-time CPT makes you ineligible for Post-Completion OPT. Initial authorization is for 11 months so you can choose to continue full time or switch to part time.

Up to 12 months of work experience per degree level after graduation, authorized by USCIS with an EAD. Eligibility: one academic year of full-time status, valid F-1 status, no prior OPT at the same level, and under 12 months of full-time CPT. File up to 90 days before and 60 days after your program end date, within 30 days of the DSO's recommendation — contact your DSO when you begin your last term.

Graduates in approved STEM fields may apply for a 24-month extension of Post-Completion OPT, twice in a lifetime. Contact your DSO for guidance.

You are eligible for an annual vacation after one academic year (3 terms at ANU), and yearly after that if you maintain status and register for the following term. Limit international travel to these periods.

Travel outside the U.S. requires a DSO travel signature on page 2 of your I-20 — request it two weeks in advance. If your visa has expired or you changed status in the U.S., re-apply for an F-1 visa at a U.S. Embassy in your home country.

Dates in the U.S. are written Month, Day, Year.

If stopped by police while driving, remain in the car. File a police report immediately if valuables like your passport or wallet are stolen.

Get a state ID and always carry identification.

Travel in groups late at night and stay aware of your surroundings.

U.S. stores like Amazon require a payment method compatible with U.S. ordering.

Dial 911 for a life-threatening injury, illness, or safety concern.

The U.S. is a melting pot of cultures, beliefs, and traditions. Americans value individualism and personal freedom, tend to be direct communicators, and appreciate honesty. Punctuality is highly valued.

Diversity and inclusivity are celebrated through festivals, events, and initiatives. Respect personal space — about an arm's length in conversation — and others' privacy. Tipping 15–20% is customary in restaurants and service industries.

From Thanksgiving to the Fourth of July, you'll experience unique holidays. Keep an open mind and don't hesitate to ask questions or seek support from the university community.