Immigration information for admitted students

• Form I-20 And F-1 Visa
• Documents you will need
• Reporting to Columbia College
• Maintaining legal F-1 status
• Health insurance
• Travel outside the U.S.
• Transfer students

Form I-20 And F-1 Visa

To enter the United States as an F-1 student, you will need a Columbia College I-20 form (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant F-1 Student Status), a valid F-1 visa issued by an American embassy or consulate and a current passport. Have these documents on your person when you enter the United States. Immigration officials will stamp your I-20, return the student copy of the I-20, and give you an I-94 card. Make sure that your I-94 is marked "F-1" and "Duration of Status (D/S)." Make a copy of these documents and keep them safe!. If you have questions, please contact the Director of International Programs.

Documents you will need

• I-20: Certificate of Eligibility
  The I-20 Certificate of Eligibility form will be sent to you after you have been admitted to Columbia College. Once inside the United States, this form is proof of your legal status.
• Visa: Permit to enter the U.S.
  A U.S. embassy or consulate will issue your visa. You must have a valid visa to enter or re-enter the United States, except from Canada, Mexico and the adjacent islands (with some restrictions). So long as you remain in the United States, visa expiration does not impact your ability to travel. A visa is used to enter the United States; if you leave the United States with an expired visa, even for a short time, you must have a current visa before being allowed to re-enter the U.S.
• I-94: Arrival-Departure Record
  The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issues this document when you enter the United States, a small white card that is proof of your legal entry, status and permission to stay here. Be sure that the I-94 is marked "F-1" and "Duration of Status (D/S)" before leaving customs. Duration of Status (D/S) refers to the length of time necessary to complete your program or level, plus a 60-day grace period. Border patrol officials often staple your I-94 to your passport.

Reporting to Columbia College

You must check in with the International Programs Office within ten (10) days of arrival so that your immigration documents can be reviewed and archived.

Maintaining legal F-1 status

You must meet certain obligations to legally stay in the U.S. Keeping a legal status means you can work and is crucial to successfully apply for a change or adjustment, such as transfer to another institution. Failure to maintain your non-immigrant status can result in serious consequences up to and including jail time and deportation.

To keep your F-1 status:

• Maintain a current passport
• Maintain a current I-20 (program extensions must be requested from the International Programs Office well before the expiration date listed on the I-20 form)
• Maintain full-time enrollment during the academic year:
• ESL Program: 18 hours of class time
• Undergraduate (bachelor's degree program) Studies: 12 credit hours
• Graduate (master's degree program) Studies: 3 credit hours
• Limit approved employment to 20 hours per week during the academic year and 40 hours on holidays or outside the year
• Do not accept unauthorized employment, either on or off campus
• Attend classes and maintain satisfactory grades
• Complete all required procedures if transferring to another institution
• Notify the International Programs Office of any changes to your academic program

Health insurance

All Columbia College international students are required to participate in the mandatory health insurance program. Students will be responsible for the cost of this service.

Travel outside the U.S.

If you travel outside the United States, you must have the proper documents to return:

• A valid, F-1 visa (except if you've been to Canada, Mexico or the adjacent islands within 30 days, subject to some restrictions)
• An I-20 form recently endorsed by a designated school official)

Travel to certain countries may require additional documentation. Please contact the International Programs Office before traveling outside the United States.

Transfer students

If you previously studied at a U.S. high school or other college or /university, and are transferring to Columbia College, report to the International Programs Office within 10 days of the beginning of your first semester. You will need to present a current I-20 issued from the previous institution, and evidence of full-time enrollment at the other school (e.g., transcript, letter from the Foreign Student Advisor, etc.). Please contact the Admissions Office for further information regarding the transfer process.