Intl Exchange—Degree Students (F-1 Visa)
The International Student Affairs & Programs (ISAP) Office provides advising services, special workshops, events, and staff memeber who are available to answer visa- and/or immigration-related questions.
Non-U.S. citizens who are interested in applying to CCA at the undergraduate or graduate level should first read the International Student Affairs section under Admissions, particularly the application requirements sections for undergraduate and graduate students.
Who are F-1 Students?
Most non-U.S. citizens who wish to engage in academic studies in the United States will seek an F-1 (nonimmigrant) student visa from an accredited U.S. college or university. This visa also is for those persons who seek to study English at a university or intensive English-language institute.
Visit the U.S. Department of State's F-1 student visa information online section to learn more about the F-1 visa.
What is an I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility)?
This is a SEVIS—generated (Student & Exchange Visitor Information System) document, issued by a U.S. college or university or Department of State–designated sponsor organization. After you are granted admission to attend CCA, you will complete the I-20 Certificate of Eligibility application.
The I-20 form indicates you are eligible to attend the school that issued your form. The form indicates to you, the consular officers, and customs officials which school you can attend, your intended program of study, how long your program will last, and the funding required. You will use this form, in conjunction with your passport, to apply for your student visa and soon enter the United States.
What is a Visa?
A visa allows a foreign citizen to travel to a U.S. port of entry and request permission from the U.S. immigration officer to enter the United States. It does not guarantee entry into the United States. For more information about the definition of a visa, including visa policies and procedures, visit the State Department's Visa Services website.
Planning Ahead for the Visa Process
To ensure you arrive in time for the start of your educational program at CCA, be sure to plan ahead—not only for the academic portion of your U.S. program but also for the visa process. This means you will need to request and receive the I-20 from CCA well in advance of your planned departure to the United States.
You also will need to make an appointment for your visa interview. Please consult the U.S. embassy or consulate nearest you (use the government-provided list of embassies and consulates) to discern when you'll be able to have your interview.
SEVIS I-901 Fee
A visa processing fee will be required. (The procedure will differ from one U.S. embassy or consulate to the next, so visit the online list of embassies and consulates to make your appointment for the visa interview.
SEVIS I-901 fee (currently $131) can be paid either online or by mail. For more information or to apply online, visit the appropriate website.
Documents Required for F-1 Student Visa Interview
Be certain to have all the required documentation prior to the interview:
- I-20 form
- financial support documents
- proof of payment of the SEVIS and visa fees
- your completed visa application form
Use the Department of State website (listed above) to follow all the procedures. This will ensure you complete the visa application correctly.
Key Information about Visas and Entering the United States
U.S. embassies and consulates cannot issue a visa more than 90 days prior to the actual start of the academic program in the United States.
However, visa applicants are encouraged to apply for their visas as soon as they are prepared to do so. Thus, if the I-20 indicates the program will start on September 1, a visa cannot be issued before June 1 of that year.
Even if you have been issued a visa to enter the United States, you will not be allowed to enter the country more than 30 days prior to the start of your academic program. This requirement does not apply to returning students. Using the earlier example, if the program of study starts on September 1, you will not be permitted to enter the United States until August 1 or later.
Transfer Students (who are transferring from another F-1 school in the United States)
If you are already in the United States and are on an F-1 visa, you will need to have your current SEVIS record transferred to CCA so that our staff can issue you a new I-20.
In addition to the I-20 request form and supporting documentation, please also send in the SEVIS transfer form signed by the Designated School Official (DSO) at the former institute that originally issued your F-1.
F-1 Visa Regulations—General Guidelines
Throughout your period of study and training, you must maintain your lawful nonimmigrant status at all times as outlined below. It is your responsibility to understand and comply with these requirements.
Failure to maintain your lawful student status can result in your having to end your program prematurely and leave the United States
Listed below are guidelines that you should follow to keep your F-1 immigration status valid. Although other situations not mentioned here may lead to the loss of your status, these guidelines will help you to avoid many unnecessary problems.
Consult with our office whenever you have questions about your immigration status.
- Maintain a valid passport at all times
- Make certain that your F-1 student visa to remain in the United States is always valid
- Maintain a full-time course of study at all times (12 credits or more. For graduate Visual Arts / Curatorial Practice students, nine credits or more)
- Obtain authorization from our office prior to dropping below a full course of study.
- Abide by employment regulations.
- Should you leave the program early, report departure date and reason to the ISAP Office
- Notify our office in advance of transferring to another college/university
- Make sure you have the appropriate travel documents, so that you can reenter the United States after travel abroad
- Make sure your family members have the correct immigration status.
- Important: Report any change of local (current residential) address within 10 days of moving.
F-1 Employment Guidelines
U.S. law permits students with F-1 nonimmigrant status several opportunities to receive compensation for their work. However, it also considers working improperly or without authorization to be a serious violation of your status. Always confirm your eligibility before accepting or beginning any employment.
Eligibility Requirements
A specific requirement for all types of F-1 employment is that you be in—and continuously maintain—lawful nonimmigrant status. A requirement for most types of F-1 employment is that you limit your work to no more than 20 hours per week while school is in session.
In addition to the aforementioned restrictions, other requirements exist for each type of F-1 employment. Note: such requirements are not outlined here. Before accepting any employment, consult with the ISAP oOffice to confirm your eligibility.
Social Security and Other Taxes
Generally, F-1 and J-1 students are exempted from social security and Medicare taxation. However, if an F-1 or J-1 student is considered a "resident alien" for income tax purposes, social security and Medicare taxes should be withheld from their paychecks.
Chapter 1 of the U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens, Internal Revenue Services Publication 519, explains how to determine your residency status. This publication is available to download as a PDF by visiting the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website.
Employment for F-2 Dependents
Immigration regulations do not allow any employment for F-2 dependents (i.e., spouses and children/dependents of F-1 students).
Complying with Employment Regulations
It is your responsibility to comply with all immigration regulations that apply to F-1 students. The international student advisor is available to assist you in this task. If you fail to comply, you may not be eligible for benefits normally granted to F-1 students.
On- & Off-campus Employment
CCA sponsors several opportunities for international students to gain work experience during their studies at CCA. Such work is limited to 20 hours per week while classes are in session, but up to 40 hours per week is allowed during vacation periods, including summer break.
Although international students' options for lawful employment are varied, specific eligibility criteria and competition for a limited number of positions restrict their participation in these programs. International students should avoid relying on income from U.S. employment to meet their costs of attendance.
On-campus employment
International students with F-1 nonimmigrant status may participate in CCA's Student Employment Program, which offers paid positions on campus, as well as opportunities to work in local nonprofit organizations that partner with CCA's Center for Art & Public Life. Work performed on the college's premises for an outside contractor or firm, such as our campus café, is also permitted provided the employer provides direct services to CCA students.
Off-campus employment
Through two additional programs, international students who have maintained F-1 status for at least nine consecutive months may request authorization to accept off-campus employment in their field of study.
One program, Curricular Practical Training (CPT), authorizes international students to accept employment that is endorsed by a college internship program, employment that is required for completion of the degree program, or employment for which they are otherwise eligible to receive academic credit.
Another program, Optional Practical Training (OPT), allows international students to work off campus in positions commensurate with their level of education. This work authorization may be granted in the final semester or immediately after students complete their program of study.
Most students choose to participate in this program following graduation because it allows them an additional full year of experience in the United States.
To take advantage of either practical training program, international students must obtain prior approval from CCA's international student advisor and the U.S. immigration service.
Social Security Numbers
The main function of social security is the maintenance of a retirement system for U.S. citizen and immigrant workers. This card also is needed by everyone, regardless of immigration status, to legally work in the United States.
A social security number also may be requested to open bank accounts and lines of credit or to apply for a driver's license or financial assistance, but in these cases it is not a requirement for international students.
Getting a Social Security Card
As an international student you are ineligible for assignment of a social security number until you have been hired to work on campus (or off campus through the OPT or CPT programs). Once you've obtained employment, visit the ISAP Office for application instructions and information. It takes between one and two weeks to receive a social security card, so apply as soon as you need one.
Checking in with the ISAP Office & the Required International Student Orientation
Upon arrival in the San Francisco Bay Area, visit the ISAP Office on either campus and introduce yourself. We'll make copies of your signed I-20, visa stamp, I-94 card, and other immigration documents for the college's records, and we'll help you acclimate to life in California.
All new international students in F-1 status are legally required to attend the International Student Orientation, held before the beginning of the fall and spring semesters in addition to the regular new student orientation.
For more information and upcoming dates, please see section that addresses Orientation.