International Steps to Enrollment

Welcome to the SJSU Spartan Community! Below are important steps and links to help ensure a successful start to your educational career at SJSU. Although these steps are presented in numerical order, keep in mind that you may not necessarily complete all of these steps in the order that they are presented.

• Step 1: Obtain I-20 and Admission Letter

  • After your MySJSU status shows "Accepted," look for a MySJSU message within 4-5 days titled "I-20 Information." This message will provide specifics about the timing and method of receiving your initial I20 and official admission letter. Should you not receive your admission packet within 14 days, contact graduatei20@sjsu.edu for assistance.

    TRANSFER I-20s: If you are in the U.S. on an F1 visa, follow the instructions for transferring an I-20.

    Once your I-20 is ready, you will receive your official admission packet electronically.

    CURRENT SJSU Students: F-1 visa students currently enrolled at SJSU will need to request a Change of Academic Level.

    Once the ISSS office has received the Change of Academic Level e-form, ISSS will create a new I-20 for you and email you when your I-20 is ready.

    Please note: If you are currently on an F2 or H4 visa and want to convert to an F1 visa, you will need to work with the International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) Office to apply for a change of status.

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    Professional Licensure and Certification

    CSU programs for professions that require licensure or certification are intended to prepare students for CA licensure and certification requirements. Admission into programs for professions that require licensure and certification does not guarantee that students will obtain a license or certificate. Licensure and certification requirements are set by agencies that are not controlled by or affiliated with the CSU and licensure and certification requirements can change at any time. The CSU has not determined whether its programs meet other states’ educational or professional requirements for licensure and certification. Students planning to pursue licensure or certification in other states are responsible for determining whether, if they complete a California State University program, they will meet their state’s requirements for licensure or certification. For more information, please go to https://www2.calstate.edu/csu-system/about-the-csu/accreditation

• Step 2: Complete Intent to Enroll 

  • Let us know that you are planning to attend SJSU!

    Intent to Enroll

    New for Fall 2022: Certain majors may require an enrollment deposit. You will receive further information via your MySJSU account if your major program requires an enrollment deposit. You may also view more details on our Mandatory Intent to Enroll webpage. 

• Step 3: Apply for a F-1 Visa (Students Outside the U.S.)

  • After you receive your initial I-20 from San Jose State University, you can begin the process of applying for your F-1 visa to come to the U.S. Before you apply for a visa, you must first pay the I-901 SEVIS fee.

    For information on how to apply for a F-1 visa and schedule your visa interview, visit SJSU's International Student and Scholar Services website and the US Department of State's webpage on student visas.

    I-901 SEVIS Fee Note: If you have already paid an I-901 SEVIS fee associated with a former SEVIS ID number, you may be eligible to transfer your I-901 SEVIS Fee directly from FMJFee.com. Please email international-office@sjsu.edu with any additional questions regarding the SEVIS Fee transfer.
    *If you have already received a visa using another school’s I20 for this upcoming semester and would like to transfer to SJSU, visit our instructions for transferring an I-20.

• Step 4: Review Online Resources to Prepare for Arrival

  • Visit the International Student and Scholar Services website for pre and post-arrival information for new students.

• Step 5: Purchase Health Insurance and Prepare Immunization Documents

  • All international students are required to purchase health insurance through San Jose State University, regardless of private coverage through personal insurance policies. Contact the International Student and Scholar Services office for questions regarding insurance. You will not be able to register for classes until you have purchased health insurance via SJSU.

    Visit sjsu.edu/immunization for information about your immunization requirements. For questions, new students can contact studentwellnesscenter@sjsu.edu.

    To help keep our campus community safe and healthy, all students must submit their COVID-19 vaccination requirements. For more information, please visit the Student Health Center COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements webpage. For questions, please email studenthealthcenter@sjsu.edu.

• Step 6: Register and Pay for Classes via MySJSU 
  • View your assigned enrollment appointment dates for course registration in your MySJSU account.

    Registration information and the semester registration calendar can be viewed at the Office of the Registrar. 

    Questions regarding registration? Visit or contact the Office of the Registrar

    Note: All F-1 students must register for a full-time course load every semester, and a hold is placed on your account preventing you from registering for classes until your health insurance through SJSU has been purchased.

    Paying for Classes
    After you register for classes, check your MySJSU account for tuition/fees and payment due dates.

    Note: You must first register for classes before paying fees.

    The Bursar’s Office processes tuition/fee payments and oversees international wire transfer payments. Should you have any questions regarding acceptable methods of payment and deadlines, please contact their office.

• Step 7: Plan Arrival Date and Arrange for Housing in U.S.
  • Arrival Date

    The earliest date you can arrive in the U.S. is 30 days before the Program Start date on your SJSU I-20. Also, keep in mind the Welcome to Graduate School orientation date (viewable through NextSteps), Global Spartan Welcome, and plan your travel accordingly. If you are unable to arrive in the U.S. on or before this date, please contact the International Student and Scholar Services office immediately as this may affect your visa status.

    Resources to book your flight and travel to SJSU (Airports/Transportation):

    Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC)

    San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

    Oakland International Airport (OAK)

    Shuttle Service (SFO and SJC)

    Housing
    Review SJSU housing options. 

• Step 8: Get Your SJSU Tower ID Card 
  • After you register for classes, obtain your SJSU Tower ID Card, which also serves as your SJSU Library Card. 

    Consider obtaining a SmartPass Clipper Card if you plan to use public transportation.

• Step 9: Attend the "Welcome to Graduate School" Orientation Series

  • Refer to your NextSteps account to learn about and register for the Welcome to Graduate School orientation series.

    Departments may offer their own department orientation. Check your department’s website for more details.

• Step 10: Attend Global Spartan Welcome
  • International students arriving in the U.S. from abroad or transferring their SEVIS record from another school must attend the mandatory Global Spartan Welcome at SJSU hosted by the International Student and Scholar Services Office. The Global Spartan Welcome is designed especially for international students, and covers immigration and cultural topics to help prepare new international students for their transition to university life in the U.S. Attendance is mandatory.
• Step 11: Clear Your Provisional Admission and To-Do List

  • If you were admitted pending submission of final documents, please submit outstanding documents by the posted due date on your MySJSU "To-Do List".

    For questions, contact the GAPE Evaluator for your program. 

• Step 12: Review the Graduate Student Guide and the Steps to Graduation Brochure
  • Visit our Graduate Admissions and Program Evaluations website to review our Graduate Student Guide, our Steps to Graduation brochure [pdf], along with deadlines related to candidacy and graduation. The brochure offers great resources and tips for success throughout your education at SJSU.

Questions?
If you have any questions about your program, including transfer credit questions, please contact your Department Graduate Coordinator and see the Graduate Catalog.

For more information on what to expect as an international student at SJSU, visit International Student and Scholar Services.

We look forward to welcoming you to SJSU as a Spartan!