| { | |
| "url": "https://www.buffalo.edu/international-student-services/for-new-students/immigration-and-visas.html", | |
| "title": "Visa Information - International Student Services - University at Buffalo", | |
| "content": "[University at Buffalo (UB)](//www.buffalo.edu/)\nWe can't wait to see you in Buffalo! Use these pages to help plan your arrival.\nYour visa category will impact many parts of your life in the U.S. Your studies, employment, vacation, and travel are a few examples. Your visa (sometimes referred to as visa stamp or visa foil) is the document placed on a page in your passport that permits you to apply for admission to the U.S. in accordance with your visa category.\nMost international students come to the U.S. on F-1 visas, while some come on J-1 visas. However, there are some other visa categories that permit studying (H-1B, H-4, L-2, E-2, etc.).\nTo come to the United States to study, you will need to apply for a visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.\nYou cannot study for a degree on a tourist (B-1/2) visa or on the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Therefore, you should not enter the U.S. as a B-1/2 or on the VWP if you plan to study.\nIf you are already in the U.S. on an F-1 or J-1 visa, you can study at UB on the same visa.\nVisas are entry permits that allow you to enter the U.S. from anywhere in the world, if your visa and number of entries have not expired, and if all of your other immigration documents are in order. Visas do not determine how long you can stay in the U.S., so, unless you travel abroad before joining UB, you can study at UB without renewing your visa even if it has expired.\nIf you are currently outside the U.S., you must apply for a U.S. visa stamp before you can arrive.\nIf you're not sure who to put as your contact? UB students can use ISS's information:\nISS cannot answer this question for you. We recommend you use your best estimate on the time you need to complete your program. You can contact your academic department for an estimate if you are not sure.\nYour answer to this question does not determine the [length of your visa](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Visa-Reciprocity-and-Civil-Documents-by-Country.html).\nISS cannot provide detailed guidance on completing your DS-160. If you have questions we recommend contacting your local embassy or consulate for assistance.\nCanadian students do not need to apply for a U.S. visa.\nBefore you can transfer to UB from another U.S. school, be sure you understand how a transfer may affect your immigration status.\nIf you are already in the U.S. as an F-1 or J-1 student, it may be possible to transfer your SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) record from your current school to UB.\nAs a SEVIS transfer student, you will receive a \u201cTransfer Pending from (current school)\u201d I-20 instead of an \u201cInitial\u201d I-20.\nTo be eligible for a SEVIS transfer, you must:\nYour transfer release date is the day your current school releases your SEVIS record to your new school.\nThe only exception to the requirement to enroll during the next available session is when it is a summer vacation for which you are eligible. To be eligible for this exception, you must have been enrolled at a U.S. school for a full academic year AND you must enroll within five months of your transfer release date.\nIf you are not eligible for a SEVIS transfer, you must depart the U.S. and re-enter with an Initial I-20.\nThe rules for J-1 students\u2019 transfers are different than for F-1 students. If you are a J-1 student hoping to transfer, contact our office for advice.\nYou can transfer to another school during the 60-day grace period after your OPT, as long as the transfer release date occurs within the grace period.\nYou must begin classes within 5 months of your transfer release date or the date your OPT authorization ends, whichever is earlier.\nYour OPT work authorization will end on your transfer release date. Therefore, if you wish to complete your OPT, your transfer release date must be after your OPT ends.\nIf you meet all the conditions for a SEVIS transfer, you do not need to pay the SEVIS fee again.\nYes, but you must be careful to re-enter the U.S. using the I-20/DS-2019 issued by the school that currently has your SEVIS record.\nYou\u2019re ready for the next step in your UB education and we're glad to have you back!\nIf you have continually maintained your F-1 or J-1 status or were outside the U.S. for fewer than five months, you do not need to pay the SEVIS fee again. However, if you failed to maintain your F-1 or J-1 status or were outside the U.S. for more than five months not on authorized overseas study, you will have to pay the SEVIS fee again.\nYour OPT work authorization will automatically end when you start studying in your new degree program.\nYou can study part time while on OPT as long as you are not admitted to a new degree program at UB.\nIf you apply to a new degree program and change your mind after you receive admission to the program, inform International Student Services.", | |
| "headings": [ | |
| { | |
| "level": 2, | |
| "text": "Admissions FAQ" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "level": 1, | |
| "text": "Visa Information for Accepted Students" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "level": 2, | |
| "text": "What is a U.S. visa?" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "level": 3, | |
| "text": "Can I use my current student visa if it is still valid?" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "level": 2, | |
| "text": "New to the U.S." | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "level": 3, | |
| "text": "How do I apply for a student visa?" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "level": 2, | |
| "text": "Tips for Your DS-160" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "level": 3, | |
| "text": "U.S. Point of Contact" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "level": 3, | |
| "text": "Intended Length of Stay" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "level": 3, | |
| "text": "Important Points to Consider" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "level": 2, | |
| "text": "Transferring from Other U.S. Schools" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "level": 3, | |
| "text": "What if I am already in the U.S. as an F-1 or J-1 student?" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "level": 3, | |
| "text": "Am I eligible for a SEVIS transfer?" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "level": 4, | |
| "text": "Enrollment exception" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "level": 3, | |
| "text": "J-1 transfers" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "level": 3, | |
| "text": "What if I am on Optional Practical Training (OPT)?" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "level": 3, | |
| "text": "Do I have to pay the SEVIS fee again?" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "level": 3, | |
| "text": "If I am transferring, can I travel outside the U.S.?" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "level": 2, | |
| "text": "Continuing UB Students" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "level": 3, | |
| "text": "Do I have to pay the SEVIS fee again?" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "level": 3, | |
| "text": "What if I am on Optional Practical Training (OPT)?" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "level": 3, | |
| "text": "Disclaimer" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "level": 2, | |
| "text": "New Students" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "level": 2, | |
| "text": "Activities" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "level": 2, | |
| "text": "Immigration & Visa" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "level": 2, | |
| "text": "Social Security Card & Income Tax" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "level": 2, | |
| "text": "Life in Buffalo" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "level": 2, | |
| "text": "About Us" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "level": 1, | |
| "text": "Your Privacy is Important To Us." | |
| } | |
| ], | |
| "faqs": [], | |
| "important_links": [ | |
| { | |
| "text": "3/31/25Your I-20 & Next Steps", | |
| "url": "/international-student-services/for-new-students/your-i-20---next-steps.html" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "text": "4/18/25Visa Information", | |
| "url": "/international-student-services/for-new-students/immigration-and-visas.html" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "text": "2/10/25E-form Processing Times", | |
| "url": "/international-student-services/immigration-visa/e-form-processing-times.html" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "text": "2/10/25Financial Documentation", | |
| "url": "/international-student-services/immigration-visa/financial-documentation.html" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "text": "2/10/25Information Sessions", | |
| "url": "/international-student-services/workshops-trips-events/workshops.html" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "text": "Your I-20 & Next Steps", | |
| "url": "/international-student-services/for-new-students/your-i-20---next-steps.html" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "text": "Visa Information", | |
| "url": "/international-student-services/for-new-students/immigration-and-visas.html" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "text": "application instructions", | |
| "url": "https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/forms/ds-160-online-nonimmigrant-visa-application.html" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "text": "Learn about F-1 visa and other F-1 immigration documents", | |
| "url": "/international-student-services/immigration-visa/f-1-student/immigration-documents.html" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "text": "Learn about J-1 visa and other J-1 immigration documents", | |
| "url": "/international-student-services/immigration-visa/j-1-student1/j-1-student/immigration-documents.html" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "text": "3/31/25Your I-20 & Next Steps", | |
| "url": "/international-student-services/for-new-students/your-i-20---next-steps.html" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "text": "4/18/25Visa Information", | |
| "url": "/international-student-services/for-new-students/immigration-and-visas.html" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "text": "2/10/25Information Sessions", | |
| "url": "/international-student-services/workshops-trips-events/workshops.html" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "text": "2/10/25E-form Processing Times", | |
| "url": "/international-student-services/immigration-visa/e-form-processing-times.html" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "text": "2/10/25Financial Documentation", | |
| "url": "/international-student-services/immigration-visa/financial-documentation.html" | |
| } | |
| ], | |
| "categories": [ | |
| "immigration", | |
| "employment", | |
| "fees" | |
| ], | |
| "scraped_at": "2025-04-26T01:19:39.773146", | |
| "path_hierarchy": [ | |
| "international-student-services", | |
| "for-new-students", | |
| "immigration-and-visas.html" | |
| ], | |
| "domain": "www.buffalo.edu" | |
| } |