Pre-Arrival Information
Take your next steps to joining the Cowboy family
NOTE: This page has information only applicable to Graduate Students. Undergraduate students please visit this website for next steps.
Congratulations on Your Admission to OSU! The International Students and Scholars Office (ISS) would like to welcome you to Oklahoma State University. The OSU family strives to make your stay in the United States pleasant and rewarding.
Now that you have been admitted, you need to complete a few important steps!
- 1. Receive I-20/DS-2019, and apply for your student visa
To receive an I-20 from OSU, the student must complete the admission process and be admitted.For more information visit this website.
For undergraduate students, access financial information here.
For sponsored students to receive a DS-2019, the student's sponsor will contact OSU and help the student with paperwork. Upon receiving the DS-2019, the student can proceed to apply for the visa.
Please do NOT book your flight before receiving your I-20 from OSU and getting your student Visa. The time needed for the immigration officer to process your Visa application varies by country.
Step 1: Contact your local US consulate or embassy
- After receiving your I-20/ DS2019, contact your local U.S. Consulate or Embassy to ask about how to get an F-1 international student visa. A list of Consulates and Embassies can be found at https://www.usembassy.gov/
Step 2: Schedule an VISA Interview
- VisitAPPLY FOR VISAfor more information
- After you receive a Form I-20 from Oklahoma State University, follow the US Embassy/Consulate’s instructions to schedule an interview for your F-1 student visa.
- It is important to apply for your student visa as soon as possible. Many consulates recommend that appointments be made no more than 90 days from the intended date of travel, but some can make earlier arrangements for interviews.
- It is important for you to plan to start the process well in advance in case of delays while obtaining your visa.
Step 3: Complete required form
- Complete the form: DS-160 Nonimmigrant VISA application
Step 4: Pay Application Fee
- Pay the visa application fee by following instructions on your local US embassy or consulate's website.
Step 5: Pay SEVIS fee (for initial attendance)
- Pay the $350 SEVIS fee, If your Form I-20 is marked for “initial” attendance (See #3 on your Form I-20), be sure to print out your SEVIS fee receipt at the time of payment.
Step 6: Go to your scheduled VISA Interview
- 2. Book a plane ticket and pack your luggage
If you plan on flying to Oklahoma, we recommend you fly to Stillwater as the City of Stillwater now offers two daily American Airline flights between Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Stillwater Regional Airport (SWO). For more information visit their website.
Bring extra pair of glasses, and your regular medicine. Use the orange OSU luggage tags we provide, they help to distinguish your bags. International travel usually makes you exhausted, therefore it's recommended to minimize your luggage. You will be able to purchase all living supplies locally.
Documents Needed for Entry
- Valid Passport
- I-20 or DS-2019
- F-1 or J-1 Visa
- 3. Activate your O-Key account
Your O-Key Account is your passport to our campus. Your username and password are used to access the student computer labs, Student Information System (SIS), online classes and your OSU e-mail. O-Key contains personal and emergency information about you and allows you reset or change your password at will. Instructions on creating your O-Key are automatically sent to students once they apply.
If you have misplaced the information you need to set up your account, please email the OSU-IT Helpdesk at helpdesk@okstate.edu
- 4. Apply for housing
A. On-campus housing
The OSU residence halls, suites and apartments are exciting, active communities that promote personal and academic well-being.
- All freshmen are required to live in residence halls unless they are married, age 21 or older, or have completed 27 credit hours.
- Twenty-five residence halls and seven family style neighborhoods provide housing to fit every need. Visit
- OSU Housing and Residential Life: 360 degree virtual housing tour
- There are always exciting ways to get involved including study sessions, hall government and intramural sports.
- Students should make arrangements for permanent housing before you arrive in Stillwater.
- To apply for on campus housing, visit: http://reslife.okstate.edu or call (405) 744-5592. Please note that you must have set up your O-Key account and be admitted in order to apply.
B. Off-campus housing
Non-freshman students may choose to live in an apartment or house off-campus. To search for off-campus housing, visit: https://offcampushousing.okstate.edu/
- 5. Arrange for financials (payment methods)
You are responsible for paying all incurred expenses while at OSU. You need to become familiar with your government’s regulations for obtaining foreign currency and transferring money. Make arrangements in advance to have available adequate funds that will cover your expenses for at least one full year. Advance preparation is necessary because fund transferal, check clearance, and bank drafts may take time.
One method of transferring funds is the cable transfer, in which you cable/transfer funds from your home bank (through one of their international affiliates in the USA) who then cables the funds to an OSU account.
Payment Methods:
A. Web-check
B. Credit card payment
- A 2.75% or $3.00 minimum convenience fee will be added to all credit card bursar account payments.
- MasterCard, Discover, or American Express is accepted.
C. Parent/Guest online payments
- Provide student’s CWID or SSN, Date of Birth, The payment amount
D. Wire transfer
- Oklahoma State University has partnered with Western Union Business Solutions to provide international students and their families a fast, easy, and affordable way to pay education costs online and in their own currency. This service allows you to pay locally from your home bank, saving you money on exchange rates and bank fees. Funds are credited directly to your bursar account in dollars in as few as two (2) business days. Western Union Brochure
E. International wire payments/Western Union
https://bursar.okstate.edu/ international-payments-faq
More Information: Go to their websiteDownload the letter from Bursar to banks who have issues in their home countries: To download access this link
Notify Bursar Accounting: Office of the Bursar by e-mail at bursar@okstate.edu. Provide the following information:
- Name of student who is wiring
- Campus Wide ID # (CWID) or Student ID
- Amount
Note: Be prepared to access funds to pay for the first semester upon arrival on this campus. See financial guarantee for estimated cost.
- 6. How to get to OSU
Documents needed for entry to the U.S.
- Valid Passport
- I-20 or DS-2019
- Evidence of acceptance at OSU (Certificate of Admission)
- Evidence of your financial ability to pay for your education (Bank statement)
- SEVIS Fee receipt
- Any other documentation your embassy/ consulate requires - check their website
- F-1 or J-1 VISA
Stillwater is a small city located in the north central part of the state of Oklahoma. The nearest international airports are 70 miles from Stillwater in Oklahoma City (OKC) and Tulsa.
- There is a professional shuttle service from the OKC airport (Airport Express).
- There is no professional shuttle service from Tulsa. You will need to make your own arrangements if you fly into Tulsa or are arriving for the summer semester.
A. Greeter service
- Please note than there are flights coming in from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to Stillwater Regional Airport (SWO), that would save you the ground transportation cost from OKC which is usually in excess of $100. For more information visit their website.
- Undergraduate students visit this website.
B. Non-greeter service travel to Stillwater from Oklahoma City
If you arrive after 10:30 p.m. or on a date not covered by our greeter service, you may choose one of the options below to travel to Stillwater. This is NOT a FREE service and does require CASH for the fare.
- Oklahoma City Airport Express (blue van): This service is a charter service and thus available at any time of the day. Their office is located near the baggage claim area. The cost is approximately $135 per van. If there is more than one passenger in the van the cost is split among the passengers. Phone number: (405) 681-3311
- Taxi Service (Yellow Cab): Phone (405) 232-6161 / Estimate Cost: $110.00 to $150.00.
C. Travel to Stillwater from Tulsa
There is no transportation service at the Tulsa Airport, but you may choose the following for travel from Tulsa to Stillwater.
Additional Information
The International Students & Scholars website is always the best resource for up-to-date information on pre-arrival information. It is highly recommended that you read through the “Pre-Arrival" and "Arrival & Orientation" sections carefully. It contains information that is especially valuable to new students.
If you have any questions or need any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.
For Admission Issues
- Undergraduates please contact the Office of undergraduate admissions at international@okstate.edu or visit their website.
- Graduates please contact the Graduate College at grad-i@okstate.edu or visit their website.