Students applying for an F-1 Visa outside of the United States will need to follow the steps below

 


How to apply for your F-1 Visa at a US embassy:

 

  1. Apply for acceptance to Harrisburg University as an F-1 Student
  2. Receive your acceptance letter, if all admission requirements have been met
  3. Make your initial deposit of $200 HERE to receive your HU login credentials 
  4. Receive your HU Login Credentials and you will gain access to your HU email
  5. Log into the Terra Dotta system via the welcome email you received in your HU email address 
  6. Pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee
  7. Make a visa appointment at the US Embassy in your home country to apply for the F-1 visa

 


Requesting an Initial I-20 Video:


  • A video with step-by-step step instructions on how to request an Initial I-20 can be found here: Requesting an I-20

 


Once your F-1 visa is approved please take the following steps: 
 

  1. Pay $1000 tuition deposit HERE
  2. Enter the US up to 30 days before the program start date
  3. Register for classes 
  4. Complete Orientation
  5. Complete the Work Placement Form or Waiver form and submit a CPT Work Authorization request in the Terra Dotta System
  6. After you arrive in the U.S., submit the ISO Arrival and Check In request in Terra Dotta. We recommend that students access Terra Dotta through a desktop/laptop device, as mobile compatibility is limited. Note: If the Arrival and Check In is not completed within a week of the semester start, your SEVIS record will be terminated. This is a requirement in order to maintain your F-1 status.
  7.  Report to campus on the first day of classes. 

 


NOTE ABOUT ATTENDING THE FIRST CLASS: If all the tasks above are completed on time, you will receive an Active I-20 sent to your HU email. New students arriving in the US must attend the first executive session of the semester. Any student who does not physically attend the first executive session, will have their Initial I-20 cancelled, and you will need to depart the US.

 

 

If you need to defer:
 

1. Email [email protected] to defer your enrollment to the next available semester

2. Once you receive the updated Acceptance Letter, submit the Defer I-20 request in Terra Dotta. Note: to avoid having to repay the I-901 fee, you must submit the defer I-20 request in Terra Dotta at least one week prior to the original program start date, as noted on your I-20


 

Students with dependents please refer to the F-2 Dependent Overview & Instructions article for more instructions on what to include on your Initial I-20 request.
 

Check out the Department of Homeland Security’s Study Guide to the States or this Quick Guide from Study in the States. A student already in the U.S. attending another institution as an F-1 student is required to request a transfer of the SEVIS record to Harrisburg University. If this best describes you, then please see the F-1 Transfer Student article for more information.