Admitted International Students

To receive your Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20 or DS-2019), reply to ISSS’s welcome email. This document is essential for completing your U.S. visa process.

Important for F-1 Transfer Students: If you currently hold a valid I-20 and F-1 visa, please submit your admission letter and the Transfer-In Request Form to your Designated School Official (DSO) at your current academic institution.

If you require an F-1 or J-1 visa, begin this process as soon as possible. Without a valid visa, you will not be able to enter the United States.

To apply:

1. Complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application (Form DS-160)
2. Pay the non-refundable application fee (MRV fee)
3. Print your DS-160 confirmation page or barcode page
4. Schedule your visa interview appointment
   • Ensure the barcode number on your DS-160 confirmation page matches the barcode used to schedule the appointment
5. Print your visa interview appointment confirmation receipt
6. Pay the I-901 SEVIS fee at least one week before your visa interview
   • Pay the SEVIS fee here
7. Print your SEVIS fee payment receipt

Visa Exemption Note: Citizens of Canada and Bermuda do not require an F-1 or J-1 visa stamp in their passports. However, they must present a valid Form I-20 or DS-2019, along with their SEVIS fee payment receipt at the port of entry, and follow all other procedures required for F-1 or J-1 nonimmigrant status.

Your Falcon Account gives you access to your student portal, campus housing selection, UWRF email, class registration, and more.

Activate your account online at password.uwrf.edu using your student ID number, found in your admission letter.

International Students Only: Use four uppercase “X” as the last four digits of your SSN when prompted.

Your UWRF email account is the primary way we will contact you. Please check it regularly for important updates.

For instructions on signing in or setting up your email on a mobile device, visit the DoTS Knowledge Base.

Submit your housing contract as soon as possible via the Residence Hall Portal, as priority is given based on submission date. Watch your UWRF email and Housing Portal for updates.

Students 21 years or older, or those who graduated from high school at least two years prior to the academic year, may live on or off campus.

All other students must live on campus until they reach two years post-high school graduation. View residency requirements here.

Important for International Students:
The official move-in day for new international students occurs a few days earlier than for other students. This aligns with International Student Orientation. Your designated arrival day is listed on your program documents as the program start date.

You may be required to complete the virtual Math (option A) and English Placement Tests at least one week before your advising/registration date.

• Use this form to determine if you are eligible for an exemption from one or both tests.
• If you're not exempt, click “Please register here for your required placement test(s)” in red at the bottom of the page to register. The link will take you to the Universities of Wisconsin Center for Placement Testing.
• Follow all testing rules—do not use external resources.
• These scores help place you in courses that match your current math and English levels.

You must sign the online fee payment agreement in eSIS to register for classes. View our Fee Payment Agreement Guide for a tutorial on signing the agreement.

F-1 First-Year Students: Schedule a virtual appointment using instructions provided by Admissions.

F-1 Transfer Students: Ensure UWRF has received your official credit evaluation and/or final transcript from your higher education institution. Credits must be transferred before scheduling your registration appointment.

J-1 Exchange Students: The ISSS office will assist you with course registration.

Your student ID card gives you access to textbooks, residence halls, meal plans, student discounts, and more. To request your student ID visit this link.
You must submit:

• A photo
• A copy of your passport photo page

Student ID cards will be collected in person by ISSS, as international mailing is not recommended, and will be distributed upon arrival.

To prepare for arrival, all international students must complete the Travel Plan survey—available in the Pre-Arrival Orientation course—no later than 10 days before the Arrival date.