International Students

I-20 & Visa Status Information

Submitting the Right Documents

Please submit all the necessary documents by the semester deadline date.

Facts about I-20

The College will not issue the I-20 until all admission documents are on file with the International Student Services office (step 1) until you have met with your academic advisor (step 2) and until you have been officially accepted to the College. Transfer international students may be required to take the placement test prior to acceptance.

  • New international students being issued an I-20 from a school in the U.S.: you will be required to pay a Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee. The SEVIS Form I-901 online completion provides a brief explanation of the fee requirement and procedure to pay online. For more detailed information on the fee payment process, go to Immigration and Customs Enforcement and review the Frequently Asked Questions.
  • Transferring International Students (with a current I-20 from another school in the U.S.): you will not be charged another fee if the transfer is approved by both the current and new school.
  • As an international student, you must establish yourself in full-time status and maintain a grade point average of at least 2.0. These requirements must be met and maintained, otherwise, you will lose your F-1 (Student Visa) status.

Facts about F-1 Visas

  • International students on F-1 Visas DO NOT qualify for financial aid or statewide scholarships.
  • All international students on F-1 visas must register and complete a minimum of 12 semester hours per semester for the fall and spring semesters (the summer semester is optional). You must also complete your educational objectives within a reasonable period of time (usually two to three years).
Steps to Obtain F-1 Visa from Abroad
  1. Apply to CCD.
  2. After you have been notified of your acceptance to CCD, take the I-20, a valid passport, a Form I-901 SEVIS fee receipt, and separate financial support documentation to the American Embassy or Consulate in your country.
2003 USCIS Photo Standard

In accordance with the Border Security Act of 2003, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has changed the photo requirements for all applicants from a three-quarter face position to a standard, full-frontal face position.

  • USCIS will no longer accept a three-quarter position photograph.
  • All photos must be of just the applicant.
  • Where more than one photo is required, all photos of the person must be identical.
  • All photos must meet the specifications for full frontal/passport photos and must be no more than 30-days old when an application is filed.
  • For more information on photo standards, visit Department for State or contact the USCIS National Customer Service Center at 1.800.375.5283.