FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
From visa applications and housing to travel arrangements and financial aid, you’ll find everything you need to prepare for your arrival. Explore key information on SEVIS, registration, campus life, and important deadlines—all in one place.
Preparing for ORU: Visa & SEVIS
I-20 & Visa Process
The I-20 is required for your U.S. student visa application and entry into the U.S. ORU will email it after your admission and financial verification.
Contact us immediately to correct any mistakes.
You can use your ORU contact for the form, such as your enrollment counselor or DSO. ORU’s address is 7777 S Lewis Ave, Tulsa, OK 74171. Phone: 918-918-7017.
SEVIS does not list all U.S. university majors, so ORU selects the closest available option. This does not affect your visa or studies.
Please click this link for details: SEVIS I-901 Fee Payment by Western Union Quick Pay Instructions | ICE
No, if your SEVIS record is transferred directly to ORU, you do not need to pay again.
Visa Interview & SEVIS Fee
Yes, but pay the SEVIS fee immediately after to prevent delays.
Follow the SEVIS I-901 Fee Quick Pay instructions for guidance.
- Request a denial letter from the U.S. embassy.
- Contact your Admissions Representative for guidance.
- Schedule a mock visa interview with ORU before reapplying.
If you don’t have an address or contact yet, you can use ORU’s address and the contact information of the International Student Relations office:
- Address: 7777 S. Lewis Ave, Tulsa, OK 74171
- Contact: intladmissions@oru.edu or 918-495-7448
SEVIS Transfers & Deferrals
Transferring SEVIS to ORU
No, if your F-1 visa is still valid, you do not need a new visa.
ORU issues it after your previous school releases your SEVIS record.
Deferring Admission
If deferred within 30 days, your SEVIS ID may remain the same. Otherwise, ORU must issue a new I-20.
If your SEVIS ID changes and the previous payment is over a year old, you must repay the fee.
Preparing for Travel & Arrival
Travel Documents & U.S. Entry
- Valid passport
- F-1 visa
- I-20
- SEVIS fee receipt
- Financial proof
A Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer will verify your documents and may ask about your studies at ORU. Answer truthfully.
Arriving in Tulsa & Transportation
Yes, new international students can request a pickup through the International Student Center.
- Home2Suites: Free airport shuttle, ~$149 per night
- Hilton Garden Inn: Free airport shuttle, ~$141.50 per night
- Royal Taxi: +1 918-951-9499
- Tulsa Taxi Club: +1 918-934-0000
Housing & Registration
Housing Options
ORU requires undergraduates under 23 years old to live on campus unless they meet commuter eligibility:
- Live with a parent/legal guardian within a 50-mile radius of Tulsa.
- Are married.
- Are a single parent with custody.
- Are a graduate/doctoral student.
Note: Students granted commuter status will have their scholarships adjusted as follows: Legacy Scholarships will be reduced by 50%, and Quest Scholarships will be reduced by 25%.
Submit a Residential Agreement Non-Traditional Student petition. Contact us for more information.
Registration & Holds
- International Student Check-In Hold: Removed upon campus arrival & check-in.
- Medical Assessment Hold: Removed after submitting the medical assessment form.
- Official Transcript Hold: Have your school email final transcripts to admissions@oru.edu.
Health & Wellness
F-1 students at ORU are not required to have health insurance, and ORU does not provide a health plan for international students. However, it is strongly recommended that students obtain private health insurance to cover medical expenses while studying in the U.S.
- MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
- Hepatitis B
- Meningococcal vaccine
- TB test (within one year before semester start)
- Sign the agreement to complete registration.
- Immunizations can be done at a local clinic near ORU (please be advised this can be costly in the U.S.).
Financial Information & Payments
Payment Methods
Student Life & Additional Resources
On-Campus Employment & SSN
Yes, international students can apply for on-campus jobs through ORU’s Work-Study Program. Opportunities are available in various departments, but positions are limited. For details on eligibility and how to apply, click here.
To apply for a Social Security Number (SSN), you’ll need a job offer and a letter from the ISR office. For step-by-step instructions, click here.
ORU offers a variety of ways to get involved, including joining student clubs and organizations, attending campus events, participating in worship and prayer sets, missions and outreach, and so much more! Learn more here.
The Armand Hammer Alumni Center offers group workrooms, quiet study areas, and spaces for entertainment like gaming and movie nights. It also has dining options such as Moe’s Southwest Grill and Cinnabon. Additionally, the J.D. McKean Library provides advanced research tools, study spaces, and cutting-edge technology, including digital nest rooms and virtual reality stations.
Banking & U.S. Phone Setup
To open a bank account, bring your passport, I-20, ORU ID, enrollment verification, and an initial deposit to a local bank. You’ll also have the option to open an account during orientation in your first week of class.
Services like campusSIMS provide SIM cards before arrival.