International Students New Student Checklist

If you are a new student coming from outside of the United States, you must apply for a student F-1 visa. Follow these steps:

1. Pay the SEVIS/I-901 Fee of $350 to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency at www.fmjfee.com
   
   
2. Sign your Form I-20 in BLUE INK on page 1
   
   
3. Review all the instructions on the Form I-20 on page 3
    
4. Complete the online Non-immigrant Visa Application - Form DS-160 - at https://ceac.state.gov/ceac. Print the application and bring it to your visa interview 
   
   
5. Schedule your visa interview at your nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Please remember to check with the Embassy or Consulate for what additional documents you will need to bring or prepare for your interview by visiting www.usembassy.gov. Documents you may need to bring may include bank statements, letter of admission, English test scores, etc. 
   • Helpful Tip: You may be able to schedule an Emergency Appointment with the consulate to expedite your appointment. Contact your local consulate for more information
     
     
6. Bring your signed and original Form I-20 with you, along with any required documents stated by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate, to your visa interview

If you are currently in the U.S. changing from a visa type into the student F-1 visa, follow these steps:

1. Pay the SEVIS/I-901 Fee) of $350 to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency at www.fmjfee.com
   
   
2. Sign the enclosed Form I-20 in BLUE INK on page 1
   
   
3. Review all the instructions on the Form I-20 on page 3
    
4. Visit U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website for detailed instructions and application (use Form I-539) on how to apply for a Change of Status. Search for “Change my Nonimmigrant Status” in the search bar
   
   
5. After you have submitted your application to USCIS and as soon as you receive your "Receipt Notice", scan and email the confirmation to the International Student Center at international@pasadena.edu 
   
   
6. If your Change of Status application is not approved by the first day of classes, please contact the International Student Center at international@pasadena.edu or (626) 585-7808 to discuss your options 

Important Reminders

• Remember to notify us one week before classes start on the status of your Change of Status application. If you forget, your PCC I-20 and Change of Status application can be cancelled
• You must maintain your current non-immigrant status until your Change of Status application is approved by USCIS. If you are not sure, consult with the International Student Center
• Do not travel outside of the United States while your Change of Status application is pending with USCIS. Your Change of Status application will be cancelled by USCIS if you leave the U.S. 
• If you are changing from a B1/B2 visitor’s visa, do not enroll or begin your studies until USCIS has approved your change of status. If USCIS has not adjudicated, or decided on your change of status at least one week before the first day of the semester (program start date listed on your Form I-20), please contact us at international@pasadena.edu 
• If you are changing from F2 to F1 status, you can enroll in up to 11.9 units (part-time) at PCC

If you are currently studying in the U.S. with an F-1 visa and are transferring from another college or university, request your current school to transfer your SEVIS (I-20) record to Pasadena City College so we can issue your PCC Transfer-Pending I-20.

1. Talk to the international student office at your current school to ask about what documents you need to provide to transfer your I-20/SEVIS record to PCC. Provide the following PCC school code: 
   

   PCC SEVIS CODE: LOS214F00788000

2. Your current school will transfer, or release, your I-20/SEVIS record by the date you indicate to them. 
   → Make sure your transfer your I-20/SEVIS record before your first day of classes at PCC
   → If you are still taking classes at your current school, do not transfer your I-20/SEVIS record to PCC until you have completed all your classes at your current school
   
   
3. You will receive your PCC Transfer Pending I-20 within 24 to 48 hours of us receiving your record from your school

Important Reminders

• Transferring your SEVIS record will save you money and waive the $350 SEVIS fee you need to pay to the U.S. government
• If you are going to travel outside the United States before attending PCC, please plan ahead and determine which school’s I-20 you will use to travel
  • If you are using your current school’s I-20 to travel, DO NOT ask your current school to transfer your I-20 to PCC until you return to the United States
  • If you are using PCC’s transfer-pending I-20 to travel, please plan ahead and request your current school to transfer your I-20 SEVIS record to PCC so that we issue you a PCC transfer-pending I-20 before you leave the U.S. 
• We recommend that you avoid all unessential travel outside the U.S. until you are fully transferred and registered as a PCC student