International Students | UCLA Summer Sessions

FAQ

FREQUENTLY

ASKED

QUESTIONS

AM I CONSIDERED AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT?

I am a Canadian citizen. Do I need to get an F-1 visa? Yes, Canadian citizens must apply as international students and complete the I-20 request form. The only difference is that you won’t actually have to go to a U.S. Embassy. You can take your I-20 form with you to the airport when you travel to the U.S. and you will get an F-1 visa stamp in your passport at the port of entry.
I am a U.S. citizen living abroad. Am I considered an international student? No. If you are U.S. citizen, legal resident, or green card holder you won’t be considered an international student. On the registration form, please answer "no" to the question, "are you an international student".
I am an International student studying full time in the U.S. Am I considered an international student? No, if you are enrolled full-time at a college, university, or high school in the U.S., have a valid I-20 form and will return to the same school in the fall, you can enroll in Summer Sessions courses as a regular visiting student. You won’t have to submit any documents and there is no minimum unit requirement. On the registration form, please answer "no" to the question, "are you an international student".
I am on an F-1 visa, graduating before summer from another U.S. school. Am I considered an international student? Yes, if your program of study is ending, you must transfer your SEVIS record and I-20 to UCLA for the summer. You will need to register as an international student and supply all supplemental documents and complete the I-20 request in order to transfer.
I recently applied or am in the process of applying for a green card; am I an international student? No, if you have already begun the green card process you will not be able to apply for a visa. You will need to register as a regular visiting student. On the registration form, please answer "no" to the question, "are you an international student".
I am an international high school student. Am I eligible to attend? Do I need an I-20 or F-1 visa? Yes, you can enroll in academic courses or Summer Institutes. The F-1 Visa will be required for all full-time course work in academic courses or college summer institutes. The majority of precollege Summer Institutes do not qualify for the F-1 Visa. Please see each program for specific information on international student requirements.

VISA REQUIREMENTS

How many classes can I take during the summer? As an international student you can enroll in a minimum of 8 units and a maximum of 18 units per session. Most courses are valued at 4 or 5 units each, so depending on the courses you choose; you can enroll in up to 5 classes. We recommend taking 8 to 12 units due to the intensive course format.
What is the F-1 visa? The F-1 visa is a non-immigrant student visa. This is an entry visa issued to "bona fide students qualified to pursue a full course of study" at an academic or language institution. F-1 visas cannot be obtained or renewed within the U.S., they are issued at an internationally located U.S. embassy or consulate. It has a date of issue and a date of expiration. If you have not yet completed your program and the visa has already expired, you do not have to renew it unless you leave the U.S. and plan to return.
Am I required to get the F-1 visa? Yes, all international students enrolling in college level courses must obtain the F-1 visa prior to entering the United States.
Can I enroll part-time and take only one course? No, to be eligible for the F-1 visa you must enroll full-time in at least 2 courses or 8 units. UCLA does not admit international students without the F-1 visa. This is a mandatory policy and no exceptions will be made.
What is the I-20 Certificate of Eligibility form? The Certificate of Eligibility for Non-Immigrant (F-1) Student Status document is evidence of your admission to the school which issued the I-20. It is issued so that you can apply for an F-1 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate. Your I-20 is proof of your status and should be kept with your passport.
What are the requirements to get an I-20? To be eligible for the I-20 you will need to enroll in at least 8 units (2 courses) and submit the I-20 request with the following supplemental documents: Copy of Passport Photo page – This must be a clear legible photocopy of the photo and biographical information page of your passport Proof of Sufficient Funds – Download and print the Confidential Financial Statement Form and submit proof of funding equal to at least US $7000. Proof of English Proficiency – Please see registration requirements for detailed English proficiency information.
When will I get my I-20? Our office must first verify that all documents have been submitted correctly and that you are enrolled in at least 8 units. Once you have been approved, we will begin processing your I-20. Please allow at least 3 weeks from the time you have submitted all documents for I-20 processing. Your I-20 will be shipped via FedEx International Priority Mail. An e-mail with a tracking number will be sent directly from FedEx when your documents are picked up.
I already have an I-20 from another school. Can I transfer to UCLA Summer Sessions? Yes, if you are graduating, or your program is ending, you can transfer your SEVIS record to UCLA. You will need to register as an international student and supply all supplemental documents and complete the I-20 request in order to transfer.
How do I apply for the F-1 visa? Once you have your I-20, you will need to register with SEVIS (see below) and make an appointment with your local U.S. embassy or consulate. Click here for the U.S. State Department’s list of embassies world wide.
What is SEVIS? SEVIS is an Internet-based system developed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that maintains accurate and current information on non-immigrant students. You will need to register with SEVIS and pay the associated fee after you receive your I-20 from UCLA and before you go in for your appointment at the U.S. Embassy. SEVIS fee information is available at www.fmjfee.com.
Where can I find out more about the F-1 Visa? You can visit the U.S. State department’s website at http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1270.html. For more region or country specific information visit your local EducationUSA office www.educationusa.state.gov.
Do I have to purchase health insurance? Yes, all international F-1 students are required to purchase a health insurance policy for the duration of their studies. This is for your protection because medical care in the U.S. is very expensive.
What if I already have travel insurance, can I waive the UCLA health insurance? For your protection, the health insurance offered through UCLA is mandatory for all students and may not be waived.
What is BruinCare? Can I waive this fee? BruinCare offers student pre-paid access to the Arthur Ashe Student Health & Wellness Center on campus. The cost is $75 and cannot be waived. Services include doctor and nurse visits, lab testing, filling of pharmaceutical prescriptions, X-rays. For more information on the services available, please visit the Ashe Center website at http://www.studenthealth.ucla.edu/default.aspx.
Will there be an orientation meeting? Upon completion of your registration, you will be prompted to complete the iSTART online orientation prior to your arrival. iSTART will not only answer many of your questions about housing, enrollment, and life at UCLA, it will offer useful advice for getting around Los Angeles and adjusting to American Culture.
Can I travel to Canada or Mexico? Yes, BUT If you plan to travel outside of the U.S., you must meet with an advisor two weeks before you plan to leave, in order to have your I-20 signed. The adviser will review your enrollment, I-20 and passport to make sure that you will be allowed to re-enter the U.S. Travel signatures will not be given after the end of the session. All traveling outside of the United States should be done prior to completion of study.

ENGLISH PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENT

Do I need to submit my transcript, SAT, or TOEFL scores to UCLA Summer Sessions? Transcripts and SAT scores are not required unless you are using them as proof of your English proficiency. Citizens from non-English speaking countries must provide proof of their English preparation. The most widely accepted English exams are TOEFL and IELTS. If you are planning on enrolling in academic courses you will have to satisfy the following English requirements: TOEFL 550 or higher for the paper-based test 213 or higher for the computer-based test 79 or higher for the internet-based test. IELTS 6.5 or higher CEFR/CAE/CPE - Level C1 Grades A, B, and C International Baccalaureate (IB) IB students may submit a transcript or verification of enrollment from their school. * Citizens of the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Canada are exempted from English Proficiency requirements.
I haven’t taken the TOEFL or IELTS exam, can I still attend UCLA Summer Sessions? YES! If you haven’t met the minimum English proficiency requirements, you may choose from a variety of English As A Second Language (ESL) courses that will help improve your English language and writing skills.
I am an International Baccalaureate (IB) student; do I need to take the TOEFL? No, a copy of your transcript or a verification of enrollment from your school will be sufficient proof of your English proficiency.