- Step 1: Get admitted to Texas A&M University
- Step 2: Apply to ISSS for your I-20 or DS-2019
- Step 3: Apply for Visa or Change of Status
- Step 4: Check-In with ISSS!
- SEVIS Campus Codes for Transfers
- Additional Resources
F-1 and J-1 are the most common nonimmigrant statuses international students use to study at Texas A&M. Read the info below to learn how to get F-1 or J-1 status.
Step 1: Get Admitted to Texas A&M University (TAMU)
If you haven’t applied to Texas A&M yet, please go to the admissions website to start an application. If you’ve already applied and are waiting for a final decision, you may also contact the Office of Admissions to check the status of your application.
Once you are fully admitted and have an active student record for an upcoming term, follow the steps below to receive your immigration documents, check-in, and enroll for courses.
We cannot process immigration requests until you are accepted into your academic program.
If you have any questions about test scores, transcripts, or other admission related things, please contact the Office of Admissions.
Step 2: Apply to ISSS for your I-20 or DS-2019
After you’re admitted to Texas A&M, you’ll need to request an immigration document from ISSS based on the nonimmigrant status you want. If you will bring a spouse and/or children with you, you can request their documents in the same request as your I-20 or DS-2019.
The immigration document that you request will depend on your visa status (F-1 or J-1). F-1 students request an I-20 and J-1 students request a DS-2019. To learn more about the difference between the two visa categories click here.
You must submit proof of finances for your program. For more information on documents ISSS can accept and the amount of funding you must show, check the Costs & Financial Documents pages
Information about other required documents can be found within the Sunapsis Portal requests.
- New or transfer international student who wants to attend TAMU as an F-1 or J-1 student and have not started their TAMU program yet.
- New students in Blinn Team or Engineering Academy must get their I-20/DS-2019 from Blinn College or another partner institution - you will transfer to TAMU later.
- Exchange students and students from TAMU Qatar should NOT use this request. The Education Abroad office will send you the link.
- F-1 or J-1 students returning from leave of absence or withdrawal.
- Students who's F-1/J-1 status was terminated and need to do a new entry.
- International students changing to F-1/J-1 status in the middle of their program.
- F-1/J-1 transfers from Blinn Team, Engineering Academy, or Fulbright programs.
Step 3: Apply for Visa or Change Status
Visas
After you receive your I-20 or DS-2019, you can start the visa application and interview process. You will need to submit your visa application online and set up an interview time. For more information about applying for the visa, check our Visa Application page. Some students request documents from multiple schools. Keep in mind, if you're entering the U.S. as an F-1 or J-1 for the first time, the school on your visa should say Texas A&M University.If you transferred your F-1 or J-1 record to Texas A&M, you don't have to apply for another visa unless you travel outside the U.S. and your previous visa has expired.
Students already in the U.S. on other statuses may change their status by traveling and applying for an F-1 or J-1 visa. If you want to change your status without traveling, see the section below.
**If you’re a citizen of Canada or Bermuda, you may be exempt from the visa requirement. More information here.
Changing Your Status while Staying in the U.S.
If you are already in the U.S. on another nonimmigrant status and want to change to F-1 or J-1 without traveling, then you’ll need to submit an online or paper I-539 application to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).This application requires your I-20 or DS-2019 issued by ISSS in addition to other documents. You will also have to pay a filing fee to USCIS. You should not travel outside the U.S. until USCIS approves your F-1 or J-1 status.
For more information, see USCIS’ website about the I-539 application.
Step 4: Check in with ISSS!
Checking in with ISSS is one of the most important parts of getting your F-1/J-1 status. Your status will not be active until you submit your check-in to ISSS and ISSS processes the request.
You must submit your check-in online after you arrive in the U.S. or after you arrive at TAMU. If you expect to arrive in the U.S. after the first day of classes, then you need to discuss your options with your academic department. You may need to defer your admission term.
You can review the ISSS late arrival information here: Late Arrival Information
SEVIS Campus Codes for Transfers
Transferring an Active SEVIS Record to Texas A&M University
Students who will have their F-1 or J-1 SEVIS record transferred from another U.S. institution will need to contact their current institution to request that they transfer the SEVIS record to Texas A&M. Please note that ISSS cannot issue the I-20/DS-2019 until the SEVIS record has been transferred and successfully received by Texas A&M University. Students may begin a Transfer I-20 or Transfer DS-2019 request before their record is transferred. However, they will not be able to complete the request until they have communicated their intent to transfer with their current school and set a SEVIS transfer release date.In certain situations, transfer students may instead elect to leave the United States and request an Initial I-20 or Initial DS-2019 instead. Please be advised that if a student chooses to request an initial document, they will not be allowed to enter the country until up to 30 days before the program start date on their I-20. Ultimately it is the student's decision which request they should submit.
J-1 SEVIS Program Number managed by ISSS: P-1-00260
F-1 SEVIS School Codes managed by ISSS: When working with your school to transfer your SEVIS record to Texas A&M University, please provide the correct campus code based on the campus you will be attending. We have provided a list of campus codes below.
- Texas A&M University - SNA214F00334000 (located in College Station, TX)
- Texas A&M University Galveston - SNA214F00334001
- Texas A&M University School of Law - SNA214F00334003
- Texas A&M Health Science Center Kingsville - HLG214F09976000
- Texas A&M Health Science Center Houston - HOU214F00582000
- Texas A&M Health Science Center Bryan - SNA214F00127000
- Texas A&M Health Science Center College Station - SNA214F00127003
- Texas A&M Health Science Center Round Rock - SNA214F00127002
- Texas A&M Health Science Center Temple - SNA214F00127001
- Texas A&M College of Dentistry - DAL214F00190000
- Texas A&M HEC at McAllen - SNA214F00334004
- Texas A&M Bush School DC Teaching Site - SNA214F00334005
- Texas A&M Houston City Center - SNA214F00334006
Additional Resources
- Learn more about F-1 and J-1 status
- F-1 Students and the Form I-20
- J-1 Exchange Visitor Program
- F-2 and J-2 Dependents