Visiting Student Researchers & Special Students

An F-1 student is a nonimmigrant pursuing a course of study to achieve a specific educational objective at an academic institution in the United States. F-1 status is most common for international students in the United States. F-1 students are issued Form I-20 from the U.S. academic institution. The I-20 lists the institution, academic major, program start date and end dates, and other details.  The I-20 is used to obtain an F-1 visa from a U.S. Consulate and must be presented upon entry to the United States.*

A J-1 student is considered a nonimmigrant "Exchange Visitor" pursuing a course of study at a U.S. institution, referred to as the "Program Sponsor." J-1 students are issued Form DS-2019 from the U.S. academic institution. The DS-2019 lists the institution, academic major, program start date and end dates, and other details.  The DS-2019 is used to obtain a J-1 visa from a U.S. Consulate and must be presented upon entry to the United States.*

SEVIS is the Student & Exchange Visitor Information System and is the U.S. government's web-based system through which international advisors (also known as Designated School Officials), such as ISP, can issue the I-20 or DS-2019. We often refer to the I-20 or DS-2019 simply as the "SEVIS document" or "SEVIS record."

ISP will issue you the I-20 for F-1 status as is most common for Caltech international students. F-1 status is entirely appropriate for VSRs and Special Students because the purpose is to participate in an academic program in the United States. However, in some very limited cases, the DS-2019 for J-1 student status may be preferred or required. Read through some considerations below.

• The majority of a J-1 student's funding must come from any source OTHER THAN personal or family funds. F-1 status does not have this restriction.
• Some U.S. schools will only accept school-to-school SEVIS transfers of non-degree students in J-1 status. If you plan to attend another U.S. institution after your non-degree program at Caltech, notify ISP.
• J-1 visa may carry a longer period of validity than an F-1 visa for some individuals. Visa validity and associated fees are based on U.S. Visa Reciprocity by Country: Select your country of citizenship, then select F-1 or J-1 to compare and contrast.
• J-1 status may be required for students funded by their home country government or funded by a U.S. government source such as Fulbright.
• Married students often prefer J-1 status, because the J-2 spouse can study full-time and get a job in the United States, whereas the F-2 spouse cannot do either.
• Some J-1 students and their J-2 dependents may become subject to a Two Year Home Residency Requirement, also known by the regulatory code 212(e).
• J-1 students and their J-2 dependents must maintain medical insurance coverage that complies with the U.S. Department of State requirements. The Caltech Student medical insurance complies, but if a student prefers an alternative medical plan, it must comply with regulation. Read more about J insurance.
• J-1 and F-1 students are eligible for up to 3 years of post-graduation work authorization in the United States. F-1 students pay significant application fees to USCIS for post-graduation work authorization; whereas, there is no fee for J-1 work authorization. However, F-1 status permits significantly more opportunities for internship employment prior to graduation.
• J-1 status is location-specific.and requires ISP to report all work site locations in SEVIS. J-1s must be onsite and in-person, with no telework/remote work permitted.
• The DS-2019 for J-1 status may not be transmitted electronically, per regulation; whereas, an I-20 for F-1 status can be issued electronically with electronic signature.

The differences between F-1 and J-1 status can be nuanced. ISP is available to discuss these with you. Contact us through our shared ISP office email account.

* Canadian citizens are exempt from the visa but still require the I-20 or DS-2019 and SEVIS I-901 Fee payment.

SEVIS Transfers are only applicable to students moving from one U.S. school to another U.S. school. A SEVIS Transfer allows your SEVIS record (the I-20 or DS-2019) to be moved electronically from your current school to Caltech. The SEVIS Number remains the same, so there is no need to pay the I-901 Fee again. SEVIS Transfer students can travel outside of the United States and re-enter on the new school's SEVIS record, but they are not required to travel between school programs.

The I-20 issued by the new school will indicate the Form Issue Reason as "Transfer Pending." U.S. re-entry on a Transfer-Pending I-20 is not limited to 30 days prior to the new program start date, as it is for students entering on an Initial SEVIS record.

SEVIS Transfer must be initiated by the transfer-out school's international advisor within 60 days of that school's program end date or OPT end date. SEVIS Transfer regulations require that you begin the new academic program within 5 months of the previous program end date or OPT end date.

If you think you are eligible for a SEVIS Transfer, consult your current international advisor to establish your SEVIS Transfer Release Date. That is the date on which ISP will have access to your SEVIS record in order to create your Caltech I-20 or DS-2019.

Complete the SEVIS Transfer Release Form to alert ISP of your Release Date.

Immigration requires that schools assess each student's ability to meet estimated academic and living expenses in the United States before issuing an I-20 or DS-2019. Financial support documents can be in your name or in the name of a family member or other sponsor. Students whose official Caltech admission letter indicates full funding from Caltech are exempt from submitting proof of funding. Use the estimates below for minimum required funding. Estimates are subject to change.

Visiting Student Researchers
Living Expenses: $3,336 per month
Dependent: $835 per month for each dependent

Visiting Special Students
Tuition: Indicated on admission letter, if applicable
Living Expenses: $3,208 per month
Dependent: $835 per month for each dependent

Click to Complete: ISP Intake Form

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Items to have available when completing the Intake Form:

• Caltech Admission Letter
• Proof of Funding
• Passport
• Passport of dependent spouse and/or child, if applicable

ISP can usually produce an I-20 within one week of receiving the completed ISP Intake Form or within one week of the SEVIS Transfer Release Date, if SEVIS-transfer eligible.

When the I-20 is produced, you will receive an email with an attached, signed PDF I-20 with instructions on how to apply for your visa. Electronically transmitted I-20s signed by ISP are valid. A paper I-20 will not be mailed to you.

If you require J-1 support, ISP will send the hard copy DS-2019 via FedEx, as this document cannot be transmitted electronically, per J-1 regulation.

When ISP sends your I-20 or DS-2019, we will include information about the visa application process, SEVIS I-901 Fee Payment requirement, and other pre-arrival information. We appreciate your patience as we process documents and inquiries for all new students. In the meantime, review the specific U.S. embassy or U.S. consulate where you intend to apply for availability of visa interview appointments and their required procedures.

Reminder: Canadian citizens are exempt from the visa process but still require the I-20 or DS-2019 and SEVIS I-901 Fee payment.

Visa validity and associated fees are based on the U.S. reciprocity table. Visit U.S. Visa Reciprocity by Country. Select your country of citizenship, then select F-1 orJ-1 to find the expected visa issuance fee and validity period for that visa type.

Students have successfully used any valid F-1 visa to enter the United States. Schools across the United States continue to advise F-1 students that "a valid visa is a valid visa." The decision to apply for a new F-1 visa is yours to make, but we do understand the difficulties related to visa interview wait times and delays in visa issuance.

J-1 students should consult ISP directly to learn if a previously-issued J-1 visa can be used for re-entry on a Caltech DS-2019.

You may enter the United States up to 30 days prior to the Program Start Date as printed on the Initial I-20 or DS-2019 (SEVIS Transfer students exempt).

Important: Your Caltech academic department expects you to begin studies on the Start Date indicated on your Admission Letter. Caltech is not necessarily prepared to receive you early.

If you plan to arrive earlier or later than expected, communicate your plans with your academic department, the Office of Graduate Studies, and ISP.

Contact ISP if your arrival will be delayed, as we may need to update your I-20 or DS-2019 Program Start Date. Failure to enter on or before the Program Start Date may result in delay or denial of U.S. entry.