International Admission Requirements

Pacific College is authorized by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to issue USCIS Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status" to an international student after the applicant is accepted for a program of study.

The SEVP-acknowledged programs that qualify for student visa and operate in classroom setting are Registered Nursing and Vocational Nursing.

A candidate seeking an F-1 Student Visa from Pacific College must satisfy:

  1. Institution undergraduate admission requirements or graduate admission requirements,

  2. Program specific admission requirements,

  3. English Language Proficiency as described in the College Catalog, and

  4. Documentation requirements to create a record in the Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).

    • Government-issued Passport

    • Foreign Address

    • Evidence of financial ability to afford attending one academic year of the program applied.
      The total amount of funding must be equal to or greater than the Cost of Attendance, the total amount of estimated expenses for the period. Cost of Attendance includes both direct costs of tuition and fees, and indirect costs of living (housing, food, transportation, etc.).

Pacific College will not issue a Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20) until the student has been admitted and financially certified by the College. The Admissions Office will issue letters of acceptance to applicants who have satisfied all requirements. USCIS Form I-20 will be sent to international students using trackable mail service such as USPS Priority Mail Express or FedEx.

traveling to the united states for study

Students can only enter the United States 30 days before the Program Start Date listed on their Form I-20, “Certificate Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status.” Students who attempt to enter the United States more than 30 days before their Program Start Date may be found inadmissible by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the associated nonimmigrant visa(s) can be cancelled when found inadmissible.

Upon a student’s arrival at a U.S. port of entry:  

  • Students must have an active I-901 SEVIS Fee payment on the Form I-20 that they are traveling under.
    Learn more: https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students/prepare/paying-the-i-901-sevis-fee

  • The name of the school on the Form I-20 must match the name of the school on the visa.

  • Student financial information remains up to date in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System.

  • Students must not attempt to enter the United States more than 30 days in advance of their Program Start Date.

reporting to school

You must report to a Designated School Official (DSO) of Pacific College by the program start date listed on the Form I-20 you received. This is one of the rules you agree to when you received your student or exchange visitor status. If you do not follow this rule, you are not maintaining your status. It is best to contact your school immediately after entering the country so that there is no question of your arrival.

If you cannot enter the United States for the term listed on your Form I-20 or if you will be late by a few days, immediately notify the International Students Office (internationalstudents@pacific-college.edu) so that a DSO may update your SEVIS record. A student wishing to transfer at the end of a semester must apply during that semester to allow enough processing time with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).