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International Student Services

biblical studies minor student stands with arms folded on the PBA campus.

A handy guide for you and your family as you prepare to join Sailfish Nation.

Welcome

Welcome to Palm Beach Atlantic University! We are thrilled you’ve chosen PBA to pursue your higher education goals. Here, you will be supported in following your God-given calling, with a focus on and commitment to Christ.
Located in South Florida, PBA’s campus is adjacent to a walkable downtown area and one mile from the Atlantic Ocean. On any given day, our students can be seen enjoying campus, meeting at local coffee shops, and on their way to and from the beach. Our students represent 49 states and 85 nations, enriching our classroom discussions and student experience. We value the perspectives each of our students brings to campus and believe our international students make PBA an even more special place to learn and grow together.
As you move through the admissions process, PBA’s International Student Services Office (ISS Office) is here to guide you from application to graduation and beyond. We assist with navigating the visa process, maintaining good visa status, and applying for any benefits you may be eligible for. That’s why we’ve created this guide to give you an overview of the most important topics for international F1/J1 visa students so you can be informed and prepared.

Sincerely,
Betania Torres, PDSO
Director of International Student Services

 

Your Next Steps

    1. Submit your Enrollment Deposit to reserve your place in our incoming class.
    2. Submit your I-20 documents to PBA.
    3. Pay your DS-160 fee and SEVIS I-901 fee.*
    4. Apply for your student visa and schedule your visa interview.*
    5. Send a copy of your student visa to ISS Office.
    6. Complete your Enrollment Checklist.

*Not required for transfer students 

International Student Life Cycle

  • Apply to a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-Certified School
    Student applies and is accepted to an SEVP-certified school.
  • Receive a Form-I20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status”
    A student’s Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record is created and the student is then issued a Form I-20 by the designated school official (DSO) at the SEVIP-certified school they have chosen to attend.

  • Pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee
    Student must pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee at FMJFee.com.

  • Apply for the Student Visa
    Student brings their Form I-20 and other required documents to apply for a student visa from the U.S. Department of State.
  • Arrive in the United States
    Student arrives no more than 30 days before their program start date and presents their Form I-20 and valid student visa to U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the port of entry.
  • Maintain Status During Program Study
    Student must take a full course of study, not work without prior authorization and speak with their DSO if they cannot finish classes before their program end date, or have any other concerns about maintaining lawful status.
  • Explore Post-Graduation Opportunities
    A student has the option to transfer schools, change education levels (e.g., undergraduate to graduate), or if eligible apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for post-completion Optional Practical
    Training (OPT) opportunities.
  • Depart the United States
    An F-1 student has 60 days to depart the United States after completion of their program of study or OPT. An M-1 student has 30 days after completion of their program of study to depart.

For more information on the International Student Life Cycle, click here.

How to Obtain Your Visa

  • For New (Initial) Students:
    1. Submit your enrollment deposit.
    2. Fill out the affidavit of financial support on your application status page: apply.pba.edu/status
    3. Upload financial documents (bank letter or statement no older than 3 months) showing you can cover the estimated cost of attendance.
    4. Upload a copy of your passport.
  • For Transfer Students:
    1. Submit your enrollment deposit.
    2. Fill out the F-1 transfer form on your application status page: apply.pba.edu/status
    3. Fill out the affidavit of financial support.
    4. Your previous school will transfer your SEVIS record to PBA.
    5. Upload financial documents (bank letter or statement no older than 3 months) showing you can cover the estimated cost of attendance.
    6. Upload a copy of your passport.

  1. Go to fmjfee.com and click on the “PAY I-901 FEE” button at the top of the page.
  2. Complete the fields on the screen titled “Applicant Validation”. Enter your information exactly how it appears on your completed Form I-20 or DS-2019 before clicking “Submit”.
  3.  Click the drop-down arrow in the “Please Select Form Type” field and select the form you will use to enter the United States: Form I-20 or Form DS-2019. Be prepared to enter additional information, listed below:
  • Given Name
  • Email Address
  • Country of Citizenship

4. Review payment conditions. Click the box “I Agree” to indicate that you have read the form and agree to its payment conditions. Click “continue”.

5. Review form information in the screen titled “Form I-901 Review”.  If your information is correct, choose your payment method. If your information is incorrect, click “Return to Form I-901” to correct your information.

6. If you selected “Credit Card Payment” as your Payment Method, you will be taken to the page where you can enter your card information. Follow the fields and click continue when finished. Please note: If you are from Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, or Kenya, you are ineligible to pay online. As such, you will need to fill out the I-901 Form online and then select “Pay with a Check or Money Order” or “Pay through Western Union Quick Pay”. Print out your payment coupon and mail it with your payment.

7. Complete “Check I-901 Status” page. Re-enter your SEVIS ID, last name, and date of birth exactly as it appears on your Form I-20 or DS-2019. Click “Check Status/View Payment Confirmation” to continue.

8. Confirm your payment was sent. Your payment has been received if you see a green status bar that says “Current Payment Status: Paid. ” Your payment has NOT been received if you see a red status bar that says “Current Payment Status: Not Paid”. Follow the directions to correct any payment issues.

9. Print your receipt and send a copy to iss@pba.edu. Click “View Payment Confirmation” to view your I-901 receipt. This receipt is your proof of payment and you will need it for your visa appointment and also when you enter the United States. You can also reprint your payment confirmation.

Documents you will need in order to complete your Visa Application (DS-160)

  1. Passport.
  2. Travel itinerary, if you have already make travel arrangements.
  3. Dates of your last five visits or trips to the United States, if you have previously traveled to the United States. You may also be asked for your international travel history for the past five years.
  4. You may be required to provide information about your current and previous education and work history.
    – Other information: Some applicants, depending on the intended purpose of travel, will be asked to provide additional information when completing the DS-160.

It is important to schedule your F-1 Student Visa Interview as soon as possible after receiving your Form I-20 and paying the I-901 SEVIS Fee.

To identify the U.S. embassy or consulate that is most convenient for you to visit, go to usembassy.gov. When arriving for your appointment, a consular official will electronically scan your fingerprints and expect you to have the following completed documentation with you for
the interview:

  • Form I-20 issued by PBA.
  • Printed Form DS-160, “Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application,” confirmation page.
  • Passport is valid for at least six months after you plan to enter the United States.
  • A two-inch by two-inch photo of yourself.
  • Receipt for your DS-160 visa application fee payment.
  • Receipt for your I-901 SEVIS Fee payment.
  • Admission letter from PBA. Financial
  • Guarantee Form & Bank Statement.
  • Certificates, transcript and test taken.
  • Information proving the student intends to return to
    home country after studies. This can be an
    introductory letter from workplace.

In preparation for your F-1 Student Visa interview, you should be prepared to tell the consular officer about your plans while in the United States and what you will do when you have completed your studies.
You should also be prepared to show the following:

  1. You have received acceptance to PBA.
    Your Form I-20 verifies this.
  2. You have the financial ability to pay for school costs plus living expenses (the amount shown on Form I-20). You should bring copies of financial documents you provide to PBA. These documents are evidence of the preparations you have made to finance your stay (e.g., bank statements).
  3. You are prepared for the academic program in which you plan to enroll. You may want to bring copies of any standardized test scores, academic transcripts, diplomas or certificates from previous study you provided as part of your application to PBA.
  4. Your stay in the United States is temporary, so proving strong ties to your home country is vital during your interview process. (e.g. you are not permanently immigrating).

Please Note: The interviewing official may be interested in how you intend to use the education you receive in the United States when you return home.

The Enrollment Checklist is a visual guide of all the required steps to fully prepare your student for the beginning of the semester. To access the Enrollment Checklist, you will use the MyPBA login credentials provided. You can also find the Enrollment Checklist on my.pba.edu. It is important for you to have the Enrollment Checklist completed before classes begin to gain PBA Card and residence hall (if applicable) access.

Students are required to complete the Enrollment Checklist prior to the start of each semester.

  • Required Documentation for Arrival in the U.S.
    -Valid Passport
    -F-1 Visa (except for Canadian citizens)
    -Form I-20 signed by designated school officer
    Admission/Acceptance letters from PBA
    -I-901 SEVIS Fee payment receipt
    -Copy of Financial Guarantee Form
    -Any original education certificates
    -Name and contact information of PBA designated school officer
    -Address of where you will stay in the United States
    *Be sure to carry these documents with you when traveling and DO NOT pack them in your checked luggage.
    If you arrive at the U.S. Port of Entry without all the necessary paperwork, you may be denied access into the United States.
  • Upon Arriving at a U.S. Port of Entry
    If you arrive by a land port, you will receive a paper Form I-94, “Arrival/Departure Record, ” which you must fill out upon arrival. Be sure to show your F-1 Visa and your I-20 to the immigration officer in addition to your passport. If you arrive at the port of entry by air or sea, an automated Form I-94 record will automatically be generated for you by U.S.
    Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers. CBP will provide you with an admission stamp on your passport that is annotated with date of admission, class of admission, and admitted-until date. The electronic arrival/departure record can be obtained at cbp.gov/I94.The primary ports of entry near Palm Beach Atlantic University include Palm Beach International Airport (PBI), located just a 15-minute drive from campus. Additionally, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and Miami International Airport (MIA) are both about an hour away from West Palm Beach via the Brightline, Florida’s high-speed passenger train. For those arriving from Orlando International Airport (MCO), it’s a convenient three-hour Brightline ride to West Palm Beach.
  • Instructions for Reporting to PBA Contact PBA immediately after entering the U.S. You may arrive no earlier than 30 days prior to the program start date shown on your I-20. You must report to PBA by the program start date listed on the Form I-20 you received. This is one of the rules you agreed to when you received your student or exchange visitor status. If you do not follow this rule, you will not maintain your status. For more information on how to maintain your status, visit: studyinthestates.dhs.gov. If you cannot enter the United States for the term listed on your Form I-20 or if you will be late by a few days, immediately contact PBA school officials so that they can accurately enter this information in your SEVIS record.

Emergencies & Departures From U.S.

Leaving before degree completion or unexpected departure?
Unforeseen events happen and if they do, contact the ISS Office so your SEVIS record can be updated.

Report to your DSO if you need to withdraw from school.

  • Notification from the student allows a 15-day grace period for an authorized early withdrawal entry on your SEVIS record.
  • Not reporting to school and/or leaving without notice to your DSO will result in an immediate termination of SEVIS record and departure from the US is required with no grace period.

Degree Completion Departure Requirements
After you have completed your degree and reached your program end date, the following timeline would apply:

60 Day Grace Period to do the following:

  • Depart the United States
  • Apply for post completion OPT
  • Apply for a new education program
  • Apply for a change in status

Departure from the U.S.
The requirement to depart the U.S. is set by the U.S. government. Failure to follow the regulations for departure can result in unlawful presence as shown in the information below.

Unlawful presence and bars to admissibility.

  • Period of time inside the United States not in your “period of stay authorized by the secretary. ”
  • More information can be found at uscis.gov under the laws tab > other resources > unlawful presence and inadmissibility.

Bars from admissions.

  • 3 years: 180 but less than 365 days of unlawful presence
  • 10 years: 365 days or more
  • Permanently: if you have 365 days or more and try to re-enter

 

pre-law student engages in classroom discussion.

International Student Employment

On-campus employment is permitted within the following regulations:

  • Obtain approval through the ISS Office and your DSO.
  • Does not require USCIS application or approval.
  • Part-time 20 hours or less per week during school sessions (if working two or more jobs, the hours cannot exceed a total of 20 hours combined).
  • Full-time 20 or more hours per week during break periods (no classes meeting).
  • Summer may be considered a break period. However, if you choose to enroll in summer courses, the 20 hours maximum per week does apply.

Off-campus employment is NOT permitted unless pre-approved per US Government regulations:

  • USCIS: “Working in the United States without authorization has serious consequences, including removal from the country and reentry bars. ” (uscis.gov)
  • May not work off campus during 1st academic year, unless required by your specific program.
  • Required US Government application and fee submitted to USCIS and MUST be approved by USCIS before working.
  • Types of off campus employment authorizations include OPT, CPT, Economic Hardship.
  • Unauthorized work will result in immediate termination of SEVIS record, will require immediate departure from the US, and may prohibit re-entry to the U.S. in the future.

 

Key Points to Remember

Maintain a valid passport, F-1 visa, and Form I-20

  • Passports MUST be active while in the U.S. You can renew while in the U.S.
  • F-1 Visa can be expired if you remain in the U.S., but must be renewed in your home country if you plan to travel outside of the U.S.
  • I-20 must be currently updated with correct program, end date, and travel signatures.

Attend and pass all your classes

  • Keep in mind, you have a set number of semesters to complete your program. Extensions are not granted for failure of classes.

Take a full course of study each semester

  • Graduate level: 6 hours minimum (3 hours each subterm)
  • Undergraduate level: 12 hours minimum each semester
  • Although online courses can be approved, you must have the majority of your classes on ground with no more than one online course to create a full time status. Example: Undergraduate: 12 hours: 9 hours on ground, 3 hours online.
  • Dropping below full-time status must be reported to the DSO and authorized before the start of the semester. Two acceptable reasons are: documented medical reasons or last semester to complete the program.

Work only when authorized to do so.

  • Unauthorized work is a violation of your status and will result in termination of SEVIS record and immediate departure from the US is required. Always ask the ISS Office for guidance before you begin any employment.

 

Climate Information

Our environment is considered tropical and offers unique features like warm weather year-round (if you consider 70 degree temps on some winter days warm!) and beautiful blue skies. It can be humid. To prevent any kind of bio growth in residence halls, students should keep their rooms clean, with surfaces wiped down and taking care not to leave the air conditioning on if your door is open. We experience brief rain showers frequently at certain times of year in the afternoon and, occasionally, tropical storms and even hurricanes. In the event of stormy weather, we prioritize the safety of our students, faculty, and staff by ensuring everyone is well-informed and prepared.

Preparation is Key
Hurricane and other weather related occurences

PBA’s community, including the Dept. of Public Safety and Emergency Management Team, maintains strong connections with local experts and government officials and the National Weather Service. These relationships help ensure our campus receives timely alerts and remains well-prepared for emergencies.
If a storm approaches, Palm Beach Atlantic’s president may decide to close the campus for safety reasons. During such closures, Florida-resident students typically return home, often inviting out-of-state roommates and friends to join them. This means out-of-state students rarely need to worry about booking flights home.
At PBA, we firmly believe that preparedness is crucial in all situations. We take this responsibility seriously and approach it with great care. If you ever find yourself leaving the area due to weather, please report to the ISS Office to let us know your plans.

PBA’s plans in place to help prepare for the approach of a tropical storm or hurricane:

  • Notification of class cancellations or campus closings prior to the storm from PBA’s alert messaging system
  • Information updates during the storm
  • Reports on power outages or damage to campus facilities as a result of the storm
  • Information on reopening campus and the resumption of classes

In the event of a tropical storm or hurricane, please note that what is shown on national news is not a firm indication of what will take place. There is no need for panic. We are grateful for the trust you have given us regarding your future, career, and safety. We take this trust seriously and prepare for stormy weather, making decisions with your safety and best interests in mind. We believe that God is our refuge and help, and we do not need to be afraid or anxious (Psalm 46:1-3).

 

Other Information

See You Soon

We hope this information is helpful for you as you prepare to join us on campus as our newest Sailfish. If you have any questions, please reach out to your Admissions Counselor or the International Student Services team by emailing ISS@pba.edu or calling 561.803.2100.

Email Us Call (561)803-2100