Welcome to ISSS
International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) is here to support you throughout your time at CSUSB as an F-1 or J-1 student.
We understand that navigating immigration requirements, university policies, and life in the United States can feel complex. Our role is to help you understand your responsibilities and connect you with the right resources to stay on track.
This page provides quick access to important information for international students at CSUSB.
CSUSB defines an international student as someone who is enrolled in classes and holds an F-1 (student) or J-1 (exchange visitor) visa. Dependents of F-1 and J-1 visa holders have an F-2* or J-2 visa sponsored by CSUSB.
*F-2 spouses may not engage in a full course of study. To engage in a full course of study, an F-2 spouse must apply for and be granted an F-1 visa status.
For other visa types allowed to study in the U.S. for incidental purposes, please refer to the Non-Immigrants: Who Can Study? chart maintained by the Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
It is the student's responsibility to be familiar with the immigration requirements governing their visa.
What ISSS Does
ISSS supports students with:
- Immigration advising (F-1 and J-1 status)
- SEVIS record management
- Employment authorization (CPT, OPT, Academic Training)
- Travel and re-entry guidance
- Maintaining status requirements
What ISSS Does Not Do
There may be times when your question falls outside of ISSS’s scope. In those cases, we will help guide you to the appropriate campus office.
Examples include:
- Academic advising and degree requirements
- Undergraduate students: Academic Advising
- Graduate students: Office of Graduate Studies and your Faculty Advisor or Department Chair
- Course registration and enrollment holds
- Registration: Office of the Registrar
- Some holds (health insurance, orientation): Center for International Studies and Programs (CISP)
- Other holds (vaccines, financial/tuition): handled by the appropriate campus office
- Tuition and billing
- Financial aid or scholarships
- Housing and residential services
👉 Even if your question falls outside of ISSS, we are here to help you understand your situation and connect you with the right campus partner.
ISSS as Your Compass
Even when a question falls outside of our office, ISSS is here to help guide you.
Think of ISSS as your compass:
- We may not always be the office that resolves your request
- But we can help you understand your situation and connect you to the right campus partner
Where to Start
If you are unsure where to go, start with one of the pages below:
Maintaining Your Status
Understand enrollment, travel, and immigration requirements.
👉 Maintaining Your F-1 or J-1 Status
Employment
Learn about on-campus work, CPT, OPT, and Academic Training.
👉 Employment for F-1 & J-1 Students
Social Security Number (SSN)
Learn how to apply for an SSN after receiving employment authorization.
👉 Social Security Number (SSN)
STEM OPT Extension
Information for eligible STEM students, including CIP codes and reporting.
Taxes
Learn about tax filing requirements for international students.
👉 Tax Information for International Students
F-1 and J-1 Student FAQs
Most international students attending CSUSB are on F-1 visas. The F-1 status is for students pursuing a full course of study in a degree program.
The F-1 status is a non-immigrant, full-time student visa that allows foreign nationals to pursue education in the United States. When applicants are accepted into an academic program at CSUSB, the International Admissions office will issue a Form I-20 which lists students' program and biographic information.
For questions about initial I-20s from CSUSB, please contact International Admissions at international@csusb.edu.
The Form I-20 is used to apply for an F-1 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate. For additional information on how to apply for an F-1 visa, please contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
Once you start your academic program at CSUSB, Center for International Studies and Programs (CISP) staff help educate students on maintaining their immigration status.
The F-1 visa's non-degree category is for students who are not enrolled in a degree program. Students are still required to adhere to all the F-1 regulations to maintain a valid immigration status, including enrolling in at least 12 units for undergraduate programs or studying fulltime in the Study in the USA (SUSA), English Language Program (ELP), or Academic Pathway Programs (APP).
These students seek to obtain a degree from CSUSB via the J-1 visa and Form DS-2019 through the U.S. Department of State's Exchange Visitor Program.
This visa type is for students seeking to enroll in a full course of study for a limited duration, for example one or two semesters, without obtaining a CSUSB degree.
J-1 non-degree seeking students can study for up to 12 months. Non-degree students cannot matriculate into a degree seeking program and are considered as "transitory" students at CSUSB.
The Education Abroad team can confirm whether or not there is an agreement between CSUSB and the home institution.
To apply as a J-1 student, visit the International Admissions website and click on Non-Degree Seeking (Transitory).
F-2 and J-2 dependent visas are available to the dependents of F-1 and J-2 visa holders, such as spouses or children under the age 21.
Transitory or visiting students usually attend CSUSB under the F-1 non-degree or J-1 non-degree visa category for a short period of time.
Once a Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 is issued, an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate should be made to interview for the appropriate visa. Remember to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee prior to a visa interview. To confirm costs, please visit.
SEVIS I-901 fees can be paid directly on the SEVIS fee website and there are even how-to videos on paying the I-901 SEVIS fee.
For more information on SEVIS fees please visit the Study in the States website.
Final Note
You are not expected to navigate everything on your own. ISSS is here to support you—reach out when you need guidance.