Frequently Asked Questions

Once you have decided on a program, it is time to gather your documents and submit your application. There is a $30 USD application fee, which can be paid via credit card at the time of application. We have provided further information on the application processes below:

Application Process:

• First-Time in College
• Transfer
• Graduate

FIU can issue an I-20 after a student has been admitted to FIU and supplies the following documentation:

• Declaration and Certification of Finance Guide – Please complete all information requested on the form in your myFIU account. You can access this under the Admissions Tile and then selecting the DCF Activity Guide tile. The form must reflect, at a minimum, the total cost of the program (tuition, books, and medical insurance). When completing Sponsor information, be sure to fill the information in only one time per Sponsor.
• Official bank letter OR bank statment –You may submit:
  • A current copy of the bank statement
  • OR a letter printed on the official bank letterhead, containing the following information:
    • State the name of the account holder (applicant or sponsor)
    • Be signed and/or stamped by an authorized member of the bank
    • Show sufficient funds to cover tuition and living expenses
  • Bank letters and bank statements are accepted from the following types of accounts: savings, checking, current, or money market accounts. Any other account available would need to specify if the account is liquid, or if the funds are available for withdrawal at any time.

• Sponsor letter – If the bank letter/statement or account is not in the student’s name (e.g., family member, employer, etc.), the sponsor will need to sign the Affidavit of Support or submit a signed letter stating that they will be financially responsible for all expenses while the student is pursuing a degree at FIU. 
• Copy of passport – A valid passport is required to verify all names are spelled correctly on the I-20, and that there are no errors on the birth date. This is required for the applicant and all dependents (if applicable). This must be valid for 6 months after the start of the program.
• F1 transfer form – If you are currently in the U.S. on a valid I-20 and are transferring your visa to FIU, we require all the documents listed above plus the F-1 Transfer Form. This form must be completed by your international student advisor and include an appropriate SEVIS release date. Without this date and your international student advisor’s approval of your transfer, the F-1 Transfer Form remains incomplete.

After finances are approved, we will issue your I-20 form. This is what you will use to schedule your visa appointment.

No, your proof of funds does not have to be in USD. We will do the conversion to USD in our offices.

Yes, students with F1 status are eligible to bring dependents to the US

Students who plan to bring their dependent(s) to the U.S. will require additional financial support to cover the dependents and must complete page 2 of the DCF form. The additional financial support should be reflected on the student’s DCF page 3 in the amount of $6,000 for his/her spouse and $4,000 for each child. Additional insurance for the family of F-1 students is optional, but highly recommended. F2 dependents are not permitted to work but may enroll part-time in university coursework. F-1 students cannot serve as sponsors of F-1 students.

If you are currently holding an F-1 or J-1 student visa and plan to transfer from another U.S. institution to FIU, you must also submit a DCF with supporting documents as indicated above. Your current institution must release your SEVIS record to FIU before your new Form I-20/DS-2019 will be issued; this happens only after you are admitted to FIU. Therefore, you need to complete the top section of the F-1 Student Transfer Form (page 5) including your current U.S. address and have the international student advisor at your current/previous school complete the bottom section. Once we have received the form and your SEVIS record has been released, we will begin the process of issuing a new Form I-20/DS-2019. Information in SEVIS must be electronically forwarded to FIU before issuance of the new Form I-20/DS-2019 will be possible. Your SEVIS record will only be released at the end of the term in which you are currently enrolled.

Admission letters and I-20 documents are sent via email. The received PDF versions of these documents are considered official. No physical copy of these documents will be sent, you will need to print these documents for your visa appointment. These will come in separate communications from the Florida International University central offices, not your program.

Please be sure to check your spam and junk folders.

If you have not received this within 3 weeks of submitting all financial documents, please follow up with hospitality@fiu.edu or your assigned Hospitality Recruiter.

Scholarships can be found in our Academic Works. Please feel free to search “Hospitality” for major specific scholarships.

Applicants having earned their degree in the following countries are exempt from providing proof of language proficiency:

Exam Score Requirements:

• Duolingo: 110
• TOEFL iBT: 80
• TOEFL PBT: 550
• IELTS: 6.5

FIU has Bayview Housing available at the Biscayne Bay Campus, as well as options at the Modesto A. Maidique Campus. On-campus housing must be reserved prior to the start of the semester. More information on housing application deadlines can be found on the housing website.

FIU’s off-campus housing siteprovides many options for students seeking independent housing and has a message board to look for roommates. Within walking distance to the Modesto A. Maidique Campus, students can consider FIU-approved independent housing at 109 Tower, 4th Street Commons, Identity Miami, and The One at University City. These units are fully furnished, and rental rates are inclusive of utilities.

Be sure to bring all your important documents in your hand baggage. The following documents are needed when arriving to the US:

• A passport that is valid for at least 6 months after your arrival date
• Your F-1 visa
• Your I20 – be sure to bring a printed copy with you!
• Copies of your admission letter and financial documents
• Evidence that you have paid your SEVIS fee
• Evidence that your first semester in the US is not 100% online; you can provide a copy of your class schedule as provided by your program

You should also bring information on your student health insurance and any other important documents with you in your hand baggage.

You may review all health insurance options here: https://dasa.fiu.edu/student-support/wellness/immunization-insurance/insurance-for-international-students/

You may review all options here: https://onestop.fiu.edu/finances/pay-for-tuition/payment-plans/

To keep your F1 student Visa status, you must be enrolled as a full-time student. To be considered a full-time student at the undergraduate level, you must be enrolled in 12 credits a semester. To be considered a full-time student at the graduate level, you must be enrolled in 9 credits a semester.

For deadlines, please review the pages:

• First-Time in College
• Transfer
• Graduate

Visit our Visit Us page to see how you can visit us in person or virtually!

Our program requires all students to gain outside appropriate hospitality work experience to complete their degree (Link to work requirements). International students on F1 visas will be able to obtain authorization to work through the Curricular Practical Training Program. CPT authorization will come from your academic advisor once you have an offer letter. Work experience for other visa holders types may require additional conversations with ISSS and an academic advisor.

For more information, please visit the Curricular and Optional Practical Training page.

You may learn more about our dedicated Hospitality Career Development Office and additional resources here: https://hospitality.fiu.edu/career/index.html

Once you have an offer letter and begin the CPT process you can obtain your Social Security number through the Social Security Administration. You will require your offer letter and updated I20 with approved CPT authorization.