New Student Information

• OIS has tutorial videos to help you if you have difficulty logging into My OIS, or accessing the Pre-Arrival Checklist.
• Please do not try to log in until AFTER you have received instructions from OIS!

To receive your I-20/DS-2019, you MUST submit the required e-forms in the "Basic Information" section of your Pre-Arrival Checklist:

• Biographical Information
• Upload Passport
• Financial Information
• You must provide documentation that will cover your first year of study in your program at Pitt. Please carefully review the applicable document below to see the costs for your program and what the requirements are for your documentation:
  • Graduate Student Financial Information
  • Undergraduate Student Financial Information
  • Exchange Students--Graduate and Undergraduate (1 to 2 terms) Financial Information

If applicable, you must also submit the following optional e-forms in the "Basic Information" section of your Pre-Arrival Checklist:

• Dependent Information
  • This form is OPTIONAL and should ONLY be completed if you have a spouse or child(ren) under the age of 21 years that will be accompanying you to the U.S. during your studies at Pitt.
• Transfer In Form
  • This form is OPTIONAL and should ONLY be completed by students who will be in active F-1 status within 5 months from the start of the term they are admitted to.

After you have submitted the required e-forms, our office will review what you have submitted. If all documentation/information submitted is sufficient, your I-20/DS-2019 will be issued within 3-5 business days (during period of high volume, please allow for a delay of up to 3 weeks). If your submissions are NOT sufficient, we will email you directly for additional information that OIS needs to issue your immigration document.

• Once issued, your I-20 will be sent to your personal email and Pitt email (if applicable). If you would like your I-20 shipped to you, though not required, let us know at oisNEW@pitt.edu.

• DS-2019s are not permitted to be sent electronically, therefore if you are receiving a DS-2019, you MUST complete the eShipGlobal Shipping Label Request – a link to this request will be emailed to you via oisnew@pitt.edu AFTER your DS-2019 is issued.

Visa Process

Yay! You received your I-20/DS-2019... what now?

F-1 STUDENTS:

• Once you receive the I-20, you MUST pay the Form I-901 SEVIS Fee (NOTE: students who are transferring their SEVIS records from a different school do NOT need to repay the SEVIS Fee.)
• Then, you can apply for an F-1 visa.
• Review the U.S. State Department’s general instructions about the required materials for the F-1 visa application and appointment process.
• Review your nearest U.S. Embassy / Consulate / Diplomatic Mission for specific instructions about how to schedule your visa appointment.

J-1 STUDENTS:

• Once you receive the DS-2019, you MUST pay the Form I-901 SEVIS Fee.
• Then, you can apply for a J-1 visa.
• Review the U.S. State Department’s general instructions about the required materials for the J-1 visa application and appointment process.
• Review your nearest U.S. Embassy / Consulate / Diplomatic Mission for specific instructions about how to schedule your visa appointment.

ALL STUDENTS:

• Watch OIS’ Get to Know Your Immigration Documents tutorial to learn more about your I-20 / DS-2019, F-1 / J-1 visa stamp, and I-94 entry record.

Arrival & Orientation

Students can arrive in the United States no earlier than 30 days before the start date listed on their I-20 or DS-2019. Students who transferred their SEVIS records from a previous school to Pitt can re-enter the United States at any point after they receive their I-20/DS-2019 from Pitt.

ALL incoming students MUST attend OIS’ Orientation and complete Check-In requirements. Failure to complete these requirements will impact your ability to maintain your F-1 / J-1 student status in the US.