Pre-Arrival Information

Activate your FAU Account

Request and obtain your I-20

International students who wish to study in the U.S. must request a form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for F1 non-immigrant visa) from the International Student Services office. Visit the Documents for Student Visa page for more instructions.

Electronic I-20 will be issued via email. Upon receipt, review the attached I-20 carefully. Sign page 1 after confirming all information is accurate and after reading the information on page 3.

Pay the SEVIS fee

Obtain the F-1 Visa

If you are currently abroad, visit a U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country to apply for a visa. You will have to present your I-20 issued by Florida Atlantic University (FAU), passport (valid at least six months into the future), FAU admission letter, and financial documents to prove availability of funds for your education and living expenses.
Application procedures for the F-1 non-immigrant visa vary among consular posts. Please contact the consular office where you plan to obtain your visa for appointment information, forms, fees, and other application details.
Canadian students must pay the SEVIS fee but do not have to apply for the F-1 visa at the U.S. Embassy
DO NOT enter the U.S. using a B-1/B-2 tourist visa, as B-1/B-2 (tourist) visa holders are not allowed to enroll as students.

Please check this guide for the visa application process: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study/student-visa.html

If you are currently in the U.S. and/or already have an F-1 visa from another university or other visa type, please contact our office for more information.

Register for the mandatory immigration orientation and check-in sessions

As a new international student, you are required to attend the mandatory immigration orientation and check-in sessions hosted by the ISS office. To view more detailed information and complete the registration form, visit the Immigration Orientation and Check-in page.

In addition, you may also be required to attend at least one more university-wide new student orientation based on your academic level. Visit the respective page for details:

Clear registration holds that will prevent class registration

Registration holds are placed on a student's record by different offices to prevent the student from registering. When the matter has been resolved the student can register.

To view holds:

Undergraduate students: Please check your OwlDone Portal to view the unfinished tasks.
Graduate students: Please log into your MyFau Portal to see what hold is in your account.

All holds must be cleared by the issuing office BEFORE a student can register. To learn the meaning of each holds, visit the Registration Holds page. Some of the common registration holds are:

International student (IS) hold: Students need to submit all the required documents for I-20 and register for the mandatory immigration orientation and check-in
Immunization (IM) hold: All students are required to submit their immunization records to the Medicat portal. For instructions, visit the Immunization Compliance
FAU Aler (FA) hold: Complete the verification task after login into your MyFAU account for the first time.
Statement of Responsibility (OF) hold: Complete the statement after login into your MyFAU account for the first time.
Grad ADM File Incomplete (TX) hold: Need to submit an official transcript to the Graduate College.
Admission File Incomplete (TZ) hold: Need to submit an official transcript to the Undergraduate Admissions office.
UAS Academic Advising (UN) hold: This hold is for undergraduate freshman only who is required to complete the advising sept in the Owldone portal .

Register for classes

Consult with your academic advisor regarding course selection/registration.

International students on F-1 visas must be enrolled in a full course of study at FAU.

Graduate (Master's/Ph.D.) students must be enrolled in a minimum of 9 credit hours each Fall and Spring semester.
Undergraduate (Bachelor's) students must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours each Fall and Spring semester.

Visit the Enrollment Information page for more instructions on class registration.

Arrange housing

Students are strongly encouraged to consider their housing options before arriving at the university. FAU does not have temporary short-term or emergency housing. Students can choose to live on-campus (in a residence hall with other FAU students) or live off-campus (in a rented apartment). Housing arrangements are a personal choice and International Student Services is unable to assist students with housing arrangements.

Visit the Housing Information page for more information and resources.

Prepare for money matters

Prepare Fund for Your Cost of Attendance

You are expected to have sufficient funds for the period of studies as indicated on the I-20.

Below are the few resources to help you understand your cost of attendance:

Financial Certificate Form for I-20

FAU Cost of Attendance

Understand Your Bill

Prepare Fund for Initial Expenses After Arriving

For your initial arrival bring cash or travelers' checks to cover your initial expenses, medical insurance, tuition/fees, books and supplies, and initial housing arrangements. Individual financial needs vary greatly, but we recommend that you have at least $3000.00 to $4000.00 in travelers' checks or arrange for a wire transfer of funds that can be immediately available.

Plan for Submit Tuition Payment by the Deadline

Students can pay their tuition and fees with different payment methods before the payment deadline.

The University also offers Installment Payment Plans, which acan help students manage their educational expeness throughout the semester. Click here to learn more: Payment Plans

Graduate students with assistantships should note that it may take a month or longer after the semester begins to receive the first payment. You should plan to have enough funds available to cover your initial expenses during this period.

International Payments

The University offers two innovated and streamlined options to make secure international payments for tuition and fees: Flywire or TransferMate. Visit the payment methods page to learn more. Students should initiate the payment at least ten business days before the payment deadline when using international payments to ensure your payment arrives on time.

Travel to FAU Campuses

FAU does not provide pick-up services from the airport to students. You need to prepare your transportation to get to the campus or your accommodation. Use the resources below to plan your travel:

Travel and Transportation Guide to FAU Boca Campus is a guide that focuses mainly on ground transportation from the three main local airports (MIA, FLL, and PBI) to the FAU Boca campus.
U-Ride app is created by FAU aims to identify transportation alternatives, including bike, bus, train, and more near off-campus housing in Boca Raon, Fort Lauderdale, and Lake Worth.

Check-in with the International Student Services Office by attending both mandatory immigration orientation and check-in sessions

Immigration Orientation - All international students who are starting as a new student, changing status, or changing the level of study, are required to attend Immigration Orientation. This is a separate session, different from other academic, departmental, or university-wide orientations and it will cover information specific to international students that you MUST be aware of. This session will be held in person.
Immigration Check-in- Federal regulations require every international student who has entered the U.S. to report to the ISS office and has their immigration documents reviewed. Without completing the check-in process, your record will not be registered and activated in SEVIS. This session will be held virtually.

Visit the Immigration Orientation and Check-in page for the date, time, location, and more information.

Attend the additional new student orientation based on the academic program level

In addition to the immigration orientation hosted by the ISS office, you may also be required to attend at least one more university-wide new student orientation based on your academic level. Visit the respective page for details:

Open a U.S. Bank Account

Opening a U.S. bank account can make managing your finance easier and safer during your studies in the states. Many banks near campus offer student account with no monthly mainance fees or minimum balance requirements.

When you go to the bank to open a bank account, you will typically need to bring the following:

Personal information such as your full name, U.S. home address, U.S. phone number, and a proof of your local U.S. address (such as utility bills or apartment lease contract)
Unexpired passport
I-94 card
I-20 or DS-2019
Any secondary form of identification such as your Student ID card, state driver’s license, or a letter from the International Students Services Office)
Enrollment verification letter from your school
Funds for your initial deposit

Bank requirements may vary, so be sure to check with the bank in advance to confirm what documents are needed.

On-Campus Banking Option

PNC Bank office is located on FAU Boca Raton campus also offers Virtual Wallet Student, please click here for information and features of this service.FAU PNC Office

PNC ATMs on Campus:

Lobby of the Student Support Services, Boca Raton campus
Breezeway Food Court, Boca Raton campus
Lobby of the Administration Building, Boca Raton campus
Stadium, Boca Raton campus
Student Lounge, Davie campus
Student Lounge, Jupiter campus

Pay tuition and fee by the deadline

Students can pay their tuition and fees with different payment methods before the payment deadline.

The University also offers Installment Payment Plans, which acan help students manage their educational expeness throughout the semester. Click here to learn more: Payment Plans

Graduate students with assistantships should note that it may take a month or longer after the semester begins to receive the first payment. You should plan to have enough funds available to cover your initial expenses during this period.

International Payments

The University offers two innovated and streamlined options to make secure international payments for tuition and fees: Flywire or TransferMate. Visit the payment methods page to learn more. Students should initiate the payment at least ten business days before the payment deadline when using international payments to ensure your payment arrives on time.

International Friends Program

Starting a new life in a new country and culture can be overwhelming. IFP is dedicated to assisting international students during their transition and adjustment by pairing a new international student with a current international or domestic student. Peer friends serve as important resources and connections for new international students who have many questions and concerns when they arrive in the U.S. as well as during their transition to FAU. Involvement in the program helps participants be aware of available resources, develop leadership and intercultural skills, stay engaged on campus, and make lifelong friendships across the globe.

Apply here: International Friends Program

Mentee: Mentees are newly admitted international students to the university.

Mentor: Mentors are current students, both domestic and international students.

International Student Services Office