Welcome!

We are happy you will be joining us at Ohio University and hope you find your time here academically and personally rewarding. Now that you have been admitted, the resources below will help get you started.

We are sure you must have many questions. International Student and Faculty Services Arrival and Orientation will provide you with information on the following topics: before you leave, travel arrangements, if you are bringing your family, after your arrival and what to expect in Athens. 

The F-1 or J-1 visa requires a Certificate of Eligibility: I-20 (for F visa) and DS-2019 (for J visa).

Directions and specific information about student visas can be found here: I-20/DS-2019

Visa Appointment Wait Time

Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) 

• WHAT IS SEVIS?    https://www.ice.gov/sevis/overview

• PAYING THE I-901 SEVIS FEE:  https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/paying-the-i-901-sevis-fee

• SEVIS FEE FAQS:   https://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/faq   

• PREPARING FOR AN F-1 VISA INTERVIEW:  https://www.nafsa.org/Professional_Resources/Browse_by_Interest/International_Students_and_Scholars/Network_Resources/International_Student_and_Scholar_Services/Preparing_for_an_F-1_Visa_Interview/

• PREPARING FOR A J-1 VISA INTERVIEW:  https://j1visa.state.gov/participants/how-to-apply/interviews-documents/

• HOW TO NAVIGATE THE US IMMIGRATION SYSTEM:   https://www.ice.gov/sevis/students

• Please note: Your admission letter from the Ohio University Graduate College indicates your program of study at Ohio University. The name of the program listed on your I-20 may be different, as the SEVIS system uses a set of codes for a variety of majors. This may not be an exact match to the major program listed on your letter of admission. 

Payment Methods

For questions about making online payments to Ohio University, please contact the Office of the Bursar. It is strongly suggested that you do not travel with large sums of cash.

Additional Resources for Graduate Students

• Dictionary of Terms (click here)
• General Information about Graduate Appointments (click here)  
• Graduate Appointment Policies (click here)
• Graduate Catalog (click here)
• Graduate College, Professional Development (click here)
• Graduate Student Senate (click here)
• Graduate Writing & Research Center (click here)
• Registrar, How to Register for Classes (click here) 
  Note: Please consult with your academic program if you have questions about which courses to take.

Only for those with a graduate appointment (GA, GRS, RA, or TA),
USCIS* Form I-9: Instructions

Please complete Section 1 of the Form I-9 electronically, by clicking here. You will be required to show documents that establish identity and employment authorization to a University Human Resources (UHR) representative. UHR is located at 169 West Union Street. Please take your passport, I-20/DS2019, and I-94 to complete this process. For questions, contact UHR via phone at 740.593.1636.

Your passport and I-20/DS2019 must be original documents. Copies will not be accepted.

*United States Citizenship & Immigration Services