Puerto Rico is located in the northeastern Caribbean, to the east of the Dominican Republic and west of the Virgin Islands. The archipelago of Puerto Rico consists of the main island (PR), the small islands, and various cays. Among the small islands we can highlight Culebra, Vieques, and Mona.

Puerto Rican culture is the product of the fusion between different cultures—especially Spanish, Taíno, and African. The influence of these three cultures was so profound that still to this day many customs and traditions remain. From Taíno heritage, Puerto Rico has acquired the names of municipalities, objects, and foods. From Spanish heritage, the island has Spanish as its principal language and the catholic religion predominates. Likewise, the legacy the Africans left to the Puerto Ricans is enjoyed through their music and rhythms—like bomba and plena—and part of the foods and customs.

Puerto Rico has been part of United States territory since 1898, and ever since the American culture has also influenced the Island. Thus, the Spanish language in Puerto Rico has been influenced by the English language, generating what we know as “Spanglish”. The United States’ influence has brought with it the existence of large private companies and fast food.

Contact the International Affairs and Relations (Management Office) (DARI, for its Spanish abbreviation) immediately. You will be asked to provide the original economic resources documents, as well as a copy of your passport and copies of documents I-94 and I-20. If you have any doubts, contact DARI, located at Plaza Universitaria, North Tower, Second floor, office 2211. For additional information you can contact them at (787) 764-0000 exts. 86200, 86205; (787) 763-5733 (fax); or via email: info.dari@upr.edu.

You must also immediately go to the graduate school or department you have been admitted to. They will inform you about the program’s regulations, the enrollment process, and other procedures you must follow at the University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras Campus (UPR-RRP). They will also help you with the services available to students.

Once the graduate program favors the student’s acceptance, the International Students and Exchange Office at UPR-RRP will get in contact with you. In order to issue the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status (F1) you will be asked to:

• Submit, as soon as possible, evidence that you have the necessary economic resources to study in PR in order to be able to issue the I-20 Form. At least one year must be evidenced. The estimated cost of living for a year is $19,000.00.
• Submit affidavit alongside income evidence and sponsor’s resources. If you don’t have a sponsor, you must submit evidence of your own funds and income.
• Visit the United States Embassy in your country to apply for a student visa (once you’ve received the I-20 Form with the Certificate of Admission and the original documents of income and economic resources). You will also need to present these documents to the immigrant officials at the port of entry.

A new norm from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been in effect since September 1st of 2004, which requires new visa F-1 applicants to make a one time payment of $100 for federal maintenance and administration costs for the Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). The payment to the DHS can be made via post service or online and must be accompanied by the I-901 Form. You can get the I-901 Form at: www.FMJfee.com

To apply for a U.S. student visa, you will need to present evidence to our institution and to the U.S. Embassy Official in your country that you will be able to cover tuition and other related expenses during your period of study. This information will be included on the I-20 form (Certification of Eligibility for a Nonimmigrant Student), which is prepared by the university.
As an applicant for a U.S. student visa, you will need to provide evidence that you can cover the costs of tuition, housing, food, medical insurance, transportation and other miscellaneous expenses. If you are interested in having your spouse and children accompany you (if applicable), you are also responsible for all of their expenses if they will be staying with you in the U.S. You will need to be able to cover all these expenses without relying on employment that you may obtain while being a student.

How much money will you need?
If you’ll have F-1 status (Nonimmigrant Student Status), your economic resources must cover the 10-month academic term (which represent the first year of study). See detailed line items in the Study Cost Table. If requested, you must also show evidence that future years of study will also be covered. The U.S. government does not expect you to pay for several years of study immediately, but it does require that you are able to show where the money will come from.

Sources of Financial Support
Sources of financial support may include personal funds, wages from work you do as part of a fellowship or research grant, or specific funds from other individuals or organizations. As part of the application process, you will need to gather the documents that will evidence the existence of these things. For example, you could show evidence of:

• Personal or family funds, such as copies of bank statements or stock certificates. The evidence must be dated current and close to your appointment at the Embassy. Prepare a list summarizing your total cash assets. Note that, if the bank statement reflects a recent deposit but a low average balance, the interviewing officer will want an explanation. Attach something in writing (your own statement or official document showing the source of the recent deposit) to the copy of the bank statement. Evidence of the employment status of the family members who will be supporting you, such as an official letter on stamped paper from the employer (specifying the person’s position and salary and stating that it is a permanent position), may help.
• Any scholarship or fellowship, assistantship, grant or loan from your home university, government or private source. Although these will be listed on the I-20 form you receive from the university when you are accepted, you must provide independent confirmation of this. Usually the best evidence is a copy of the award letter for the scholarship or assistantship you received. The financial information you submit must match the data included in your I-20 form.

Support from people other than immediate family members

• If individuals who are not members of your family are willing to support you, use any of the forms of evidence already mentioned for family members. However, the officer interviewing you at the Embassy will ask you why someone who is not your relative is willing to pay for your education in the US. For this reason, non-family members should include an affidavit explaining why they are so willing, able and motivated. The statement should mention that the person understands that they are not only a backup if other resources fail, but will be immediately responsible for paying all or part of the student’s tuition, fees and expenses. See basic model affidavit.

Revised: April 2024 / Luis F. Irizarry Ramírez