University of California - Information for Prospective Students from Other Countries
Passports and Visas
You will need a passport from your government and a visa from the United States Embassy or Consulate to enter the United States. (Canadian citizens entering the U.S. from within the Western Hemisphere are exempt from passport and visa requirements.) You should apply for a passport as soon as possible, although in some countries it will be necessary to provide proof of admission to a United States school before a passport will be granted.
To apply for a visa, take your passport and Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20 A/B or DS-2019), issued by the UC campus you will attend, plus proof of adequate financial support for your studies and living expenses, to the nearest United States Embassy or Consulate. Immigration regulations require that you use only the I-20 or DS-2019 issued by the University campus you wish to attend. If you are sponsored by an international agency, then the specific University campus should be listed on the form. Failure to follow these instructions will jeopardize your stay in the United States and enrollment at the University. The U.S. Embassy or Consulate may be able to advise you of any changes in immigration law that might affect your stay in the United States. The visas most frequently granted to applicants are described below.
When you arrive at the University campus where you plan to study, you will be required to show your passport, visa and other travel documents. The name on the passport you use to enter the United States must match the name given on the application for admission. Consult the International Student Advisor on campus about the location where the documents are to be presented. The International Student Advisor will also advise you on the laws and regulations that affect your stay in the United States.
If you are coming to the United States specifically for the purpose of studying, this is likely to be the visa you should use. To apply for this visa, you will need to present a Form I-20 A/B Certificate of Eligibility and proof that you have sufficient financial support to cover expenses for your study in the United States. It is also helpful to bring a copy of your letter of admission with you. Undergraduate students holding this visa must carry at least 12 units of classwork each term; graduate students must carry the equivalent of a full course of study as certified by the Dean of the Graduate Division. The accompanying spouse or child of an F-1 student enters on an F-2 visa. F-1 visa holders are permitted to work part-time on campus. F-2 visa holders are not permitted to accept employment.
This visa is intended chiefly for use by international faculty and postdoctoral research scholars, but it is the proper visa for certain students who are sponsored by some agencies, foundations, organizations or universities. If you have been offered a fellowship or other award covering your educational expenses, consult the International Student Advisor on the campus to which you are applying to determine your eligibility to apply for the J-1 visa. If you qualify, the Form DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility will be sent to you. J-1 visa holders who hold any form of government scholarship or who come from certain developing countries are: (1) required to return home for two years following completion of studies before they can apply for immigrant status, and (2) prevented from changing to another visa type once inside the United States. The accompanying dependents of a J-1 student enter on a J-2 visa. The J-2 visa holder may make application to the U.S. Immigration Service for permission to accept employment in the United States.
Obtaining an immigrant visa -- also known as Permanent Resident status -- is virtually impossible for anyone who is a student. Inquiries should be directed to the International Student Advisor on campus.
This visa is intended for those coming as tourists to the United States. It may not be used by students or exchange visitors who have been admitted to the University, unless they have discussed their study plans with the United States Consul and the Consul has then issued a visa marked "B-2, Prospective Student." If the B-2 visa is used by visitors or by students who have not discussed their study plans with the United States Consul, it is unlikely that the immigration status will be changed to a student or exchange visitor once the student or visitor has entered the U.S.
It is possible for citizens of certain countries to come to the United States without a visa if they have definite plans to leave within 90 days of arrival. Do not enter the U.S. in this manner. You will not be permitted to extend your stay or change your status under any conditions.
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