Visit our U.S. Visa page to learn how to apply for your F-1 or J-1 student visa. 

If you are already in the U.S. on an F-1 or J-1 visa, you can study at UB on the same visa.

• pay the SEVIS fee & print your receipt. Bring the receipt with you when you enter the U.S. to begin your studies.
• enter the U.S., presenting your I-20/DS-2019 to the border official, no earlier than 30 days before the program start date on your I-20. 

Visit our Transferring to UB page.

You can transfer to another school during your OPT period or during the 60-day grace period after your OPT end. Consider:

• The transfer release date must occur before or within the grace period.
• You must begin classes within 5 months of your transfer release date or the end date on your current EAD, whichever is earlier.
• If you transfer during your OPT period, your work authorization will automatically end on your transfer release date. 

You cannot study for a degree on a tourist (B-1/2) visa or on the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Therefore, you should not enter the U.S. as a B-1/2 or on the VWP if you plan to study.

Dealing with a visa problem is stressful, especially when your educational plans are affected. While ISS cannot influence decisions made by U.S. embassies and consulates, we want to help you understand what these decisions mean for your plans to study at UB and guide you as you take your next steps. 

Visit our Visa Denials and Delays page to learn more. 

If you have continually maintained your F-1 or J-1 status or were outside the U.S. for fewer than five months, you do not need to pay the SEVIS fee again. However, if you failed to maintain your F-1 or J-1 status or were outside the U.S. for more than five months not on authorized overseas study, you will have to pay the SEVIS fee again.

Your OPT work authorization will automatically end when you start studying in your new degree program.

You can study part time while on OPT as long as you are not admitted to a new degree program at UB.

If you apply to a new degree program and change your mind after you receive admission to the program, you must inform International Student Services.