F-1 Visa Guide for University of California Davis

This guide walks UC Davis admits through every F-1 visa step from I-20 acceptance to consular interview preparation.

You are applying to the University of California Davis, a public land-grant institution in the Sacramento Valley. SEVP certification allows the university to enroll nonimmigrant students, and a Designated School Official in Services for International Students and Scholars will issue your Form I-20 once you are admitted and have documented funds.

After you receive your I-20, pay the current SEVIS I-901 fee at fmjfee.com, complete the DS-160, and attend a visa interview at a US embassy or consulate. These steps are set by USCIS/SEVP and the US Department of State. Approval is not guaranteed; the consular officer decides.

Your I-20 and the international student office

SISS, or Services for International Students and Scholars, advises you on visa maintenance, enrollment requirements, and travel signatures. You work with a Designated School Official there to keep your SEVIS record active and to request CPT or OPT. SISS also runs orientation and workshops on immigration compliance under SEVP/ICE rules.

Financial documentation for your I-20

You must show financial evidence covering the school's published cost of attendance for at least your first year. The I-20 lists the total the university requires, and your documents must match or exceed it. Acceptable proof includes bank statements, sponsor letters, or scholarship awards. Check the exact requirements with SISS before you submit, since a shortfall can delay your I-20.

Arriving in Davis

Davis sits in the Central Valley, about fifteen miles west of Sacramento and seventy miles northeast of San Francisco. The city is flat, bike-friendly, and built around the campus, with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The Sacramento area offers internships in state government, agriculture, and clean-energy research, though off-campus employment requires work authorization.

Common challenges for University of California Davis applicants

• Proving liquid funds that match the total on your I-20 without using unexplained borrowed deposits.
• Maintaining full-time enrollment each quarter while managing grades and visa status.
• Understanding that CPT is authorized by SISS, while OPT requires a USCIS application.
• Finding housing early, since the Davis rental market tightens before each term.
• Preparing for visa interview questions about ties to your home country.

Working during and after your program

On campus, you may work up to twenty hours per week while classes are in session, according to SEVP/ICE rules. For off-campus training, Curricular Practical Training is approved through SISS, while Optional Practical Training requires a USCIS application after SISS recommends you. Neither guarantees a job or future visa outcome. After graduation, some students pursue further study, return home, or explore other pathways; each depends on your circumstances and current regulations.

Frequently asked questions