International Student Office

We offer a wide range of services to support our F-1 visa holders and international students:

Immigration Advising

• Guidance on maintaining your F-1 visa status

• I-20 issuance and updates

• SEVIS compliance and travel authorizations

CPT & OPT Support

• Step-by-step assistance with Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT)

• Help navigating work authorization timelines and application requirements

Status Maintenance

• Program extensions and reduced course load requests

• Change of address reporting

• Academic and compliance monitoring

Workshops & Information Sessions

• Orientation for new international students

• Regular sessions on immigration updates, employment options, and cultural integration

Ongoing Support & Advising

• One-on-one consultations to answer your questions

• Support navigating U.S. systems, from healthcare to academic expectations

• Receive Your Form I20
  • After admission and submission of financial documents, University of the Potomac will issue Form I20, which is required to apply for an F1 student visa. Please review and sign your I20 before your visa interview.
• Pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee
  • All F1 students must pay the SEVIS I901 fee before attending a visa interview.
    • Visit https://fmjfee.com
    • Enter the information from your I20
    • Print the payment receipt for your visa interview
• Apply for Your F1 Student Visa
• Prepare the following documents for your visa interview:
  • Valid passport
  • Form I20 (Admission letter)
  • SEVIS payment receipt
  • Financial documents
  • Academic transcripts
  • Proof of English Proficiency
  • Printed DS-160 application confirmation page
  • Copies of any personal (or parent’s) property or business ownerships, financial or other documents that can demonstrate having strong ties to your home-country.
• Plan Your Travel
  • F1 students may enter the United States up to 30 days before the program start date listed on the I20. Students should plan travel accordingly to attend the mandatory international student orientation.

• Check In With the International Student Office
• All new international students must complete the International Student Check-In process after arrival. This process allows the university to activate your SEVIS record.
  • Passport
  • F1 visa
  • I-94 record
  • Local U.S. address
  • Phone number
• Attend International Student Orientation
  • Orientation provides important information about maintaining F1 status, academic expectations, campus resources, and life in the United States. Attendance is required for all new international students.
• Register for Classes
  • International students must maintain full-time enrollment each term:
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• Maintain Full-Time Enrollment
• Keep Your Passport Valid for at least six months into the future.
• Update Your Address within 10 days of moving.
• Work Authorization: Students may only work with proper authorization such as on-campus employment, CPT, or OPT.

• The International Student Office assists students with CPT and OPT applications, travel signatures, program extensions, SEVIS transfers, reduced course load requests, and general immigration guidance.

• University of the Potomac
• Email: dso@potomac.edu
• Office Hours: Monday – Friday