International Students & Scholars

Having a United States visa is like having a key to enter the country. The expiration date on your visa is the last day you may enter the United States from abroad. You need a valid visa every time you enter the country. Depending upon the type of visa you use to enter the U.S., you are subject to different guidelines in order to "maintain status" or remain in this country legally. The International Students and Scholars (ISS) office can help guide students through the application for F-1 student visas.

For the general steps in acquiring the F-1 Visa, we recommend the following resources:

• Student Process Steps: How to Navigate the U.S. Immigration System
• How to Apply for an F-1 Visa (Pacific Guide)

Requirements

I-20

To apply for an F-1 visa, you will need a SEVIS-issued form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Students) from the dental school.

There are multiple types of I-20 requests:

• Initial: This is the first time you've applied for an F-1 visa. Initial requests are generally made outside of the U.S.
• Transfer: You are already in the U.S. on an F-1 visa. The transfer process will allow you to keep the same SEVIS ID.
• Change of Status: You are currently in the U.S. on another visa type and want to change to F-1.

To request an I-20, you will need to submit the following items:

• Passport copy
• Certification of Finances
  • IDS and DDS Certification Form
  • Endo and Ortho Certification Form

** F-1 VISA TRANSFERS SHOULD SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING:

• Transfer Instructions Form

The items listed above can be sent via the I-20 Request Form on the MyPacific ISS Page.

The Certification of Finances form is used to show proof of support for your first year of study. You must demonstrate sufficient funding to cover all expenses including tuition, fees, books, instruments and living expenses. Funding may come from your own personal account, a private sponsor's account and/or scholarships/loans that have been approved.

In addition to filling out the form, you will need to provide adequate verification of the funds. Only scanned copies will be accepted — photos and faxes will be rejected! Verification documents include:

• Original letter from your bank or your sponsor's bank stating the available funds. The letter must be on official letterhead, dated within the last six months and include the bank's seal; and/or
• Official award letter stating the amount and duration of the scholarship/grant awarded, if applicable; and/or
• Non-government source loan approval letter from the granting institution, stating the loan amount, if applicable.

You should obtain two original copies of the financial verification documents. One set of originals should be sent to the dental school; the other set of originals should be retained by you, so that you may have them available when applying for a visa and for use at the port of entry.

Students who are citizens of Canada may obtain their F-1 visas at the port of entry. Canadian students will be required to present their Form I-20, passport and additional supporting financial documents to the U.S. Immigration Inspector at the U.S. port of entry. Landed immigrants in Canada must contact the U.S. embassy/consulate and apply for a visa before entering the U.S.

Our role is to provide the DS-2019 or "Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status", a pre-requisite to requesting a J-1 visa interview. This page focuses on applications for Research Scholars who are not being paid by Pacific, and utilizing personal or sponsorship funds to conduct research at the Dugoni School. The Department of State (DOS) provides general information on the J-1 visa process. Please review the DOS definition below:

Research Scholar: A foreign national whose primary purpose is conducting research, observing, or consulting in connection with a research project at research institutions, corporate research facilities, museums, libraries, post-secondary accredited academic institutions, or similar types of institutions. A research scholar also may teach or lecture when authorized by the sponsor and immigration official.

J-1 Exchange Visitor Approval Process

1. Sponsoring unit completes the DS-2019 Request Form with appropriate approvals.
   • Departments must provide an appointment letter
   • Signatures must be obtained from:
     • Sponsoring Faculty
     • Department Chair
     • Executive Associate Dean or Associate Dean of Healthcare Education
     • Director of International Student and Scholar Services
2. Prospective EV must submit the J-1 Personal Information Form and provide Supporting Documents (see below).
3. Sponsor submits the two forms (and supplementary docs) to IPS to begin DS-2019 creation process.
   • IPS will not produce DS-2019 until the 1) Request Form (and appointment letter) and 2) J-1 Personal Information Form (and documents) are received.
4. DS-2019 is sent electronically to applicant by IPS and guidance is provided on the J-1 visa application process.
5. Before beginning scholarship on the Dugoni School campus, EV must provide evidence of J-1 visa (via check-in with IPS) and complete the Application for Visitation Status before beginning research appointment.

Required Documents for J-1 Exchange Visitors

Application

• DS-2019 Request Form (to be completed by sponsor)
• J-1 Personal Information Form (to be completed by prospective exchange visitor)

Supporting Documents

• Copy of passport biography (picture) page     
• Financial documentation (in U.S. dollars with English translation and no older than 6 months from date of submission)
• Certified copy of academic degree
• A personal statement (identifying the reasons to leave the U.S. after program completion)

Additional Documents

• Appointment letter
• Curriculum Vitae

Additional Requirements for J-1 Research Scholars

English Language

DOS also requires sponsors to confirm that prospective exchange visitors possess “sufficient proficiency in the English language, as determined by an objective measurement of English language proficiency, to successfully participate in his or her program and to function on a day-to-day basis.” English language proficiency must be attested to by the sponsoring faculty member on the application form.

Funding and Estimated Expenses

Visiting scholars may be financially supported by the sponsoring department, external agencies, scholar’s home government or institution, or entirely by the scholar’s personal resources.  Regardless of the funding source, IPS must verify the exchange visitor’s funding prior to DS-2019 issuance.  Exchange visitors are, therefore, required to submit proof of funding (e.g., letters of support or personal bank statements) for the duration of their program period. Latest costs are listed on the J-1 Personal Information Form.

Health Insurance

The Department of State (DOS) has established minimum requirements for insurance that are designed to protect the exchange visitor and accompanying dependents.  In accordance with federal regulations all exchange visitors must have insurance in effect that covers sickness and/or accidents during the period of time that they participate in Pacific’s exchange visitor program which is identified on the Form DS-2019.

F-1 visa holders have limited employment opportunities while studying in the United States. The best employment options for F-1 visa holders are on-campus employment and optional practical training (OPT).

On-Campus Employment

All F-1 visa students are permitted by USCIS to work on campus up to 20 hours per week during the academic year, and up to 40 hours per week during break periods. U.S. law requires all employees to prove their eligibility to work.

In order to work on campus at the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, you must apply for work authorization through the ISS Office and HR. The ISS Office provides guidance through the process.

You may then apply for a Social Security Number (SSN). The school cannot pay you without without a SSN. Once you receive your social security card, bring it into the ISS office for recording, then take it to HR so they can process your pay check. Please note, opportunities for employment at the San Francisco campus are limited and offered on a first come first serve basis. Please inquire with our ISS office. 

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is available to students who have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis at a USCIS-approved college, university, conservatory or seminary for one full academic year.

To Check Your USCIS Application Status

Call 1.800.375.5283 or visit the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services website. You will need to have your 13-character application receipt code (the letters "WAC" followed by a 10-digit number).

If you plan to travel outside of the United States during a break or at any other time while at the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, you must contact your Designated School Official to have your I-20 (if you have F-1 status) or DS-2019 (if you have J-1 status) for a travel endorsement signature. Please request a travel signature at least 30 days prior to leaving the United States.

The endorsement signature is valid for 12 months, and should be renewed each year before the expiration date.

To Enter Foreign Countries Other Than Your Home Country

Please contact the embassy or consulate of the country you will be visiting to determine the visa requirements for entry into that country and how to obtain a visa, if needed. For full details, contact the nearest consulate or embassy for each country you plan to visit. Many countries have consulates in San Francisco, and you may check online for their addresses and telephone numbers. If there is no local consular office, contact the country’s embassy in Washington, D.C. to find the location of the consulate responsible for issuing visas to people living in the Bay Area. For information on consular offices, as well as travel advisories, please visit the Department of State (DOS) Web site.

When Leaving the United States

Except for travel to Canada, Mexico and adjacent islands for 30 days or less, you will need to submit the Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record at departure and receive a new Form I-94 upon re-entering the U.S.

Documentation for Travel

In order to ensure that you are permitted to re-enter the U.S. with no problems, keep the following documents with you:

1. I-20 or DS-2019 signed and dated by your Designated School Official.
2. Valid passport (must have an expiration date six months beyond your date of entry/return to the U.S.) Note: Even though your visa may be good till the end of your program, the port of entry can choose to restrict your entry into the U.S. to the end of your passport date even though you may have a D/S (Duration of Status) stamped in your passport;
3. I-94 (the white card stapled in your passport); or it can be retrieved online at the link below:
   • Travel Documents for U.S. Visitors
4. Documentation of financial support (copy of documentation you submitted to the school); and
5. Documentation that you have paid for the upcoming quarter (if you are an enrolled student travelling between quarters).

Re-Entering the United States

Upon your return to the U.S., you must show the following documents to the U.S. Immigration inspector:

1. A valid passport, with an expiration date at least six months beyond your date of return entry; (Note: Even though your visa may be good until the end of your program, the port of entry can choose to restrict your entry into the US to the end of your passport date even though you may have a D/S (Duration of Status) stamped in your passport)
2. A visa that is valid beyond the date of your return to the U.S.; and
3. A new or currently valid I-20 or DS-2019 with the endorsement page signed by the Designated School Official. 

If You Hold Canadian Citizenship or Landed Immigrant Status

You are still required to meet all of the above requirements if you travel outside of the U.S.

NOTE: Because of world events, while you're here in the United States, it is strongly recommended that you carry a copy of your visa on your person at all times.