Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Pre-Admission Questions

  1. Where do I send my application and whom do I contact with my questions?
  2. Will photocopies or faxes of my documents be enough?
  3. What is an I-20 or DS-2019 form and how do I get one?
  4. How long will it take to process my application and I-20 or DS-2019?
  5. What is the SEVIS I-901 fee?

Post-Admission Questions

  1. Questions about transportation from Salt Lake City (SLC) airport to Utah State University
    1. What should I do to request transportation from SLC to Logan?
    2. How will I know if transportation was arranged for me or not?
    3. What should I do after arriving at SLC airport?
    4. Will I get the shuttle as soon as I arrive?
    5. What is the cost and how should I pay?
    6. What is the contact information for the Cache Valley Shuttle?
  2. What should I do after arriving in Logan?
  3. Are there any restaurants or supermarkets in Logan?
  4. How can I get a Student ID card?
  5. How can I pay the tuition fees?
  6. How can I register for courses?
  7. How many courses do I need to take every semester to maintain full-time status?
  8. How many online courses can I take?
  9. What are the letters that I can get from OISS?
  10. What documents should I bring to get a signature or a letter from OISS?
  11. How do I get a work authorization letter?
  12. How many hours can I work per week on campus?
  13. Can I work off campus?
  14. How do I apply for a Social Security Number?
  15. Will the Social Security Administrative (SSA) officers come to campus for new students to apply for a Social Security Number?
  16. If I am planning to go home for a vacation, what are the things I need to do before I travel?
  17. How do I check the status of my OPT application?
  18. What should I do if I don't get my OPT card within 90 working days after I submit my application?

Pre-Admission Questions & Answers

  1. Where do I send my application and whom do I contact with my questions?

    2. If you are an undergraduate applicant, send materials to the following address:

    International Admissions
    Office of International Students and Scholars
    TSC 313, 0140 Old Main Hill
    Utah State University
    Logan, Utah 84322-0140

    Send general questions to the OISS at iss@aggiemail.usu.edu. Specific admissions questions can be sent to James Christensen at james.l.christensen@usu.edu.

    If you are a graduate applicant, you must apply through the School of Graduate Studies. For more information visit their website at www.usu.edu/graduateschool.

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  2. Will photocopies or faxes of my documents be enough?

    3. NO. We must have official, original, or legally certified true-copies of all supporting documents and original signatures where required.

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  3. What is an I-20 or DS-2019 form and how do I get one?

    An I-20 or DS-2019 form is the immigration form sent to a student after he or she has been accepted to Utah State University. The I-20 form is necessary to get an
    F-1 student visa, the DS-2019 to get a J-1 student visa. You must apply and be accepted to the university before we will send you this form.

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  4. How long will it take to process my application and I-20 or DS-2019?


    5. If you apply on time with all the supporting documents, we may be able to process your application and I-20 or DS-2019 in a few days and can send them to you in 3-5 business days. While this process may be very quick, we encourage students to apply early and allow for plenty of time to get their student visa once they are admitted. In some countries, this can take months.

    Below are some common problems that could delay your application:

    • If you do not send all of the required documents, we will have to wait until they arrive.
    • If you apply for a program that requires departmental approval, this can add one to two weeks.
    • If you apply during busy times or at the last minute, your application won't be processed until those who applied on time have been processed.

    Please consider this information and PLAN AHEAD!

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  5. What is the SEVIS I-901 fee?


    6. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has a form (SEVIS I-901) for incoming students and exchange visitors. You must submit this form and pay the fee before you will be given a visa.*

    Electronic Payment. To pay the I-901 fee electronically, visit the SEVIS fee website www.FMJfee.com. You must have a credit card to use the online option. Once payment has been submitted, print the receipt and take it to your visa interview. You will also be sent a formal receipt from DHS on the I-797 form.

    Mail Payment. If you are unable to pay electronically, please visit the FMJfee website for information on paying via mail. Please remember to pay this fee as you will not be issued a visa without doing so!

    *Non-immigrants who do not require a visa to enter the U.S. as students or exchange visitors are also required to pay this fee and show verification of payment before applying for entry at a U.S. port-of-entry.

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Post-Admission Questions & Answers

  1. Questions regarding transportation from Salt Lake City (SLC) airport to Utah State University

    1. What should I do to request transportation from SLC to Logan?

      The OISS can arrange the transportation for you . If you want the OISS to do this for you then you must download the transportation form and follow the instructions given in it.

    2. How will I know if transportation was arranged for me or not?

      3. You will receive a confirmation email from OISS stating that your transportation was arranged. If you don't receive the confirmation email, please contact the OISS.

    3. What should I do after arriving at SLC airport?

      After you arrive at the Salt Lake City airport, pick up your luggage and go to a payphone (located near baggage claim) and dial toll free
      1-800-658-8526 to reach the Cache Valley Shuttle Bus Service.
      Tell them your name and someone will talk with you about picking you up.

    4. Will I get the shuttle as soon as I arrive?

      5. Your shuttle bus will not be secured (which means you may not get on the very first bus to arrive). This means that if the shuttle bus coming at your arrival time has no seats available, they will place you on the next available bus.

    5. What is the cost and how should I pay?

      6. For information, visit www.loganshuttle.com. Student discounts are available.

    6. What is the contact information for the Cache Valley Shuttle?

      7. Cache Valley Shuttle Contact Information
      Website: www.loganshuttle.com
      Phone: 1-800-658-8526

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  2. What should I do after arriving in Logan?

    3. Once you arrive in Logan, please bring your passport, visa, I-94 (the small white card in your passport issued during the immigration check-in at the port-of-entry) and I-20 or DS-2019 as soon as possible to the Office of International Students and Scholars(OISS), Room Number 313, Taggart Student Center (TSC) during our regular office hours.

    Important: You must check in with OISS. If you do not, you will not be registered with SEVIS, and you will be out-of-status.

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  3. Are there any restaurants or supermarkets in Logan?

    4. Yes. There are many great restaurants and supermarkets in Logan. Click here for more information.

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  4. How can I get a Student ID card?

    5. You are supposed to check in with OISS after arriving in Logan. Then you are required to register for classes, after which you can go to the Card Office in the Taggart Student Center, Room 212, with your course registration print-out and get your picture ID card made. It costs $10.00 if you are an Intensive English student or $11.00 if you are a regular student.

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  5. How can I pay the tuition fees?

    Visit the Registrar's Payment Options page for more information.

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  6. How can I register for courses?

    7. You can register for your current semester courses either in person at the Registrar's Office in the Taggart Student Center (TSC), Room 246 or online by logging into ACCESS.

    While registering in person, you will have to fill out the course add/drop form and take it to one of the windows in the Registrar's Office along with your picture ID (new incoming students may use a passport).

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  7. How many courses do I need to take every semester to maintain full-time status?

    8. Graduate students are required to register for 9 credit hours and undergraduate students are required to register for 12 credit hours to maintain full-time status.

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  8. How many online courses can I take?

    9. Graduate students should have 6 out of 9 credits on campus and the rest can be online. Undergraduate students should take 9 out of 12 credits on campus and the rest can be online.

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  9. What are the letters that I can get from OISS?

    • Employment Authorization Verification Letter (work authorization letter)—this letter is necessary for students to work on campus.
    • Visitor Visa Letter—this letter is needed if your relative or friend living outside the U.S. wants to visit you.
    • Re-entry Letter—if your visa has expired and you are planning to leave the U.S and come back, then you need this letter to get a new visa.
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  10. What documents should I bring to get a signature or a letter from the OISS?

    11. You are required to bring your passport, visa, I-94 (the small white card in your passport issued during the immigration check-in at the port-of-entry), and I-20 or DS-2019 when you are planning to come to OISS for a letter or a signature.

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  11. How do I get a work authorization letter?

    Once you have registered for courses as a full-time student for the current semester, bring your course registration print-out as a proof of your registration. The work authorization letter will be issued by OISS.

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  12. How many hours can I work per week on campus?

    13. During a regular school semester, you can work only for 20 hours per week. During a vacation semester, you are allowed to work 40 hours per week. If you exceed the allowed hours, you will be out-of-status.

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  13. Can I work off campus?

    Working off campus without formal authorization from the OISS is strictly prohibited. If you are found working off campus without proper authorization, your I-20 or DS-2019 will be terminated and you will be required to exit the US immediately.

    You can work off campus only if you are on a Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), or if you are given permission by OISS due to economic hardship.

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  14. How do I apply for a Social Security Number (SSN)?

    Click the link for instructions to get a Social Security Number.

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  15. Will the Social Security Administrative (SSA) officers come to campus for new students to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN)?

    16. Yes. The SSA officers come on campus once at the beginning of every semester so that new students can apply for a SSN. Additionally, Social Security representatives come to Logan on the first and third Wednesdays of each month to offer assistance.

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  16. If I am planning to go home for a vacation, what are the things I need to do before I travel?

    17. The signature on the back of your I-20 or DS-2019 is valid for one year. When you are planning to leave the U.S. and come back, that signature must be valid while you're gone. If it will expire during your vacation, come to the OISS before you leave and get the I-20/DS-2019 signed by one of the student advisors.

    If your visa has expired, you need a re-entry letter issued by the OISS to get a new visa from the U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country.

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  17. How do I check the status of my OPT application?

    You can check the status of your OPT application by going to https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/jsps/index.jsp.

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  18. What should I do if I don't get my OPT card within 90 working days after I submit my application?

    19. In most cases, students get their OPT card within 90 working days. Rarely, it may happen that a student doesn't receive it in 90 working days. In this case, use the InfoPass Online Appointment Scheduler to meet with a DHS officer. To make an appointment click here. Additionally, OISS advisors are always available to assist you.

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