Congratulations on your admission to California State University, Long Beach. Admitted international students must follow and complete the Required Steps to Enrollment listed below. It is important to read carefully and follow all the steps to aid in your transition to CSULB.
Newly admitted students for Spring 2024 should wait for the Spring 2024 Required Steps to Enrollment, which will be made available after October 2023.
Submit Final Academic Reports & Documents to International Admissions
Deadlines:
Undergraduates: July 15, 2023
Graduates & Postbac: September 1, 2023
Mail documents to International Admissions (IA): Center for International Education International Admission 6300 East State University Drive FND 185B Long Beach, CA 90815 USA
International Admissions (IA) can help you with questions about transcripts, academic records, admissions document holds. Submit a ticket inquiry.
Office of International Students & Scholars (ISS) can help you with questions about insurance holds, check-in and orientation information. E-mail: cie-student@csulb.edu
International Student Orientation Fall 2023
Fall 2023 orientation will be offered during separate dates and times to support our different student groups beginning their programs at the university.
International student orientation and workshops will be offered both in-person and through Zoom. You will receive an email invitation a week before, which will include event location and Zoom meeting information for all programs.
International Orientation
New international first-year, transfer, and graduate students are required to attend the mandatory International Orientation sessions.
On International Orientation Day, our staff and student leaders present and lead group activities to inform you on how to:
Maintain proper immigration status while studying in the U.S.
Adapt to American culture and university expectations.
Connect with the Beach community and get involved on campus with student organizations such as the International Student Association.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Information Session
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
Location: TBD
Obtaining CSULB Form I-20
The Form I-20 is a multi-purpose document issued by CSULB certifying that a student has been admitted to a full-time academic program and has demonstrated sufficient financial resources to stay in the United States. The CSULB Form I-20 is required to apply for an F-1 visa at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy.
I-20 Distribution: Form I-20 will be processed and delivered electronically to your CSULB student email.
Requirement for I-20 Issuance
Freshman, transfer, and graduate students starting a new program at CSULB must obtain a CSULB Form I-20.
Prepare Required Documents
A copy of the biographical page (photo page) of your passport
After you receive your CSULB form I-20, you can click here to Apply for an F-1 Visa.
Transfer Students
Current U.S. students holding valid F-1 status must request a transfer of their Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record to CSULB. Once CSULB receives the transferred SEVIS record, you may go to the link below for instructions and application to request your CSULB Form I-20.
Request your SEVIS transfer to CSULB:
Contact your current international student office and request a SEVIS Transfer. Your advisor will assist you on choosing an appropriate transfer date.
Provide your current school the CSULB SEVIS School Code: LOS214F00361000
Show CSULB admissions letter
CSULB does not use a SEVIS transfer form
Please note: Apply for CSULB I-20 at least 4 weeks before the start of the term. Please refer to the campus Academic Affairs Calendar for the date.
Transfer Students
Transfer students may travel internationally between school programs. Upon re-entry to the U.S. student must show the new CSULB Form I-20.
It is NOT necessary to visit the U.S. embassy/consulate for a new F-1 visa unless the current F-1 student visa in the passport has expired or will expire before date of re-entry to the US. Students do not need a travel signature on the new CSULB I-20 for their first entry to the U.S. while in-between programs
Re-entry to the U.S. will require students to show the following documents at the Port of Entry:
Passport (valid at least 6 months into the future)
Valid F-1 student visa in the passport
NEW CSULB I-20
If you have questions regarding your I-20, please email: i20@csulb.edu.
Mandatory Immigration Check-In
Students with a brand new CSULB form I-20 must complete the Online Immigration Check-In for their CIE Check-In Hold release and to meet F-1 reporting requirements with the Department of Homeland Security.
International students who fail to complete the Online Check-in may be dis-enrolled from classes.
The online Check-in Self-Assessment will prompt you to watch videos, answer review questions, and upload immigration documents at the end of the completed assessment.
Regulations require all prospective F-1 students to pay the I-901 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) Fee before the U.S. Department of State issues you a visa.
You should plan to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee when you receive your form I-20 from CSULB.
After paying the SEVIS fee online, print a copy of your payment confirmation. Take your payment confirmation to the visa office for your interview and when entering the U.S.
Once you have paid your I-901 SEVIS fee, you can apply for your F-1 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate. Visit the U.S. Department of State’s website for more information about applying for an F-1 visa. You can also find your nearest embassy or consulate by visiting the U.S. Embassy website.
After receiving your F-1 visa, check it for accuracy. Make sure that you have digital and hard copies of all your documents when you are preparing to depart the U.S.
Housing
Please note: the following sections contain links to various third-party websites. CSULB is not responsible for any inaccuracies that may be found on those sites.
Students should apply in early April for the Fall semester and early November for the Spring semester. Applications are considered complete when payment is made, and considered in the order of completed application.
CSULB's University Housing has 3 residential colleges: Beachside, Hillside & Parkside. When applying for on-campus housing, you get to choose your preferred community to live in.
All rooms are approximately 15 x 11 feet and furnished with a bed, dresser, desk, chair, wastebasket, closet & mirror, and a microfridge. Residents must provide their own Bed Sets (blankets, sheets [twin extra long], pillowcases, bedspreads, towels, & study lamps).
You can order bed sets and have them delivered to CSULB!
Visit the OCM website to view bedding options and make purchases.
You can have your purchase sent directly to Amazon@theBeach, which is on the CSULB campus. Packages received are held for 15 days. After 15 days the package will be returned.
Moving out of the dorms and need to ship your bed sets home?
Visit the Campus Copy Center inside of the University Bookstore for a full range of shipping services through UPS or U.S. Mail. Whether you need next day or standard shipping, we’ve got you covered. Shipping boxes and custom packages available.
Most apartments in the U.S. are not furnished. CORT provides furniture rental packages and housing information for students living off-campus.
Students that are participating in Education Abroad can also use this convenient Facebook page to get in touch with exchange students who are leaving our university and offering a place in their apartment.
Another type of off-campus housing is Homestay. With this option, you may stay in a room of a family's home. Click on the links to find the best homestay for yourself. (CSULB does not assume any responsibility for homestay providers, their business partners, or the Homestay Provider's clients. CSULB does not inspect homes, prepare contracts, nor place students with host families. Homestay agreements are between the tenant and the homestay provider. CSULB is not affiliated with any of the providers listed below.)
