Immigration Information

International Student Program
JSC Building - Room 208
 intl_students@sac.edu
 (714) 564-6047

Steps to Become an International Student and Earn Student Visa

Congratulations on your decision to study in the United States! A very rewarding and life-changing experience awaits you. The first step is to apply! Check here for the requirements.

  1. Once you are accepted, Santa Ana College will issue you a document called I-20, a paper record of your information in the ​USCIS database called SEVIS.

  2. ​Once you receive your I-20, please check your I-20 against your passport information to ensure that your name and date of birth are correctly listed and spelled. If it is not correct, contact us immediately.

  3. Once you have your Form I-20, you are ready for the next step – paying your SEVIS I-901 fee, and other applicable visa fees​.​

The regulation requires all prospective F and M students to pay the I-901 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) Fee before the Department of State grants you a visa interview. To pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee, visit FMJfee.com to access the SEVIS Form I-901. Watch the I-901 SEVIS Fee payment video to learn about each step of the payment process.​​

After paying the I-901 fee and getting a receipt, you can apply for a visa interview at your nearest American Embassy before you leave for the United States.

Here are some useful tips when applying for your visa: 10 Points to remember when applying for a non-immigration visa.​

Once you receive your visa, confirm that you have the correct information listed - type of visa, date of birth, and name should be checked for accuracy.

Before you leave for the United States, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the different kinds of documents you might need. It is always a good idea to carry your original documents during your travel to the USA. Please do not put them in your checked baggage. It is also a good idea to make at least two sets of copies of these documents: one copy to leave with your family or friends before you depart, and one copy to share with your school officials or as needed upon arrival. 

Here is a list of the important immigration documents to keep handy:

  • Passport
  • Visa
  • I-2​0 from Santa Ana College

Arriving in the United States is a critical step for which you should prepare. If you have everything ready, it should be a very smooth experience. The following documents give a good outline of the arrival process and exceptions:

You will need several documents:

  • Passport (valid for at least the next six months)

  • The current I-20 from Santa Ana College

  • SEVIS I-901 fee receipt

  • Proof you have the financial ability to pay for your school costs plus living expenses (the amount shown on the I-20)

  • An admissions letter from the school or other proof you are a student​

​Plan to arrive to the U.S. NO MORE THAN 30 days before the Program Start Date written on your I-20!

Present all of these documents to the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer, who will decide whether you may enter the United States. If the CBP officer admits you into the United States, that officer then will issue you an electronic I-94, “Arrival/Departure Record,” which you will complete en route to enter. You can find and download your I-94 online. Your school officials will ask you for a copy of this form for your records.

Wh​​at is a Secondary Inspection?

If the Customs and Border Protection (CBP)​ officer at the port of entry cannot initially verify your information, or if you do not have all of the required documentation, you may be directed to anoth​​er area as they conduct additional research to verify your information without causing d​​elays for other arriving passengers.

The inspector will first attempt to verify your status using the Student and Exchange and Visitor Information System (SEVIS). If the CBP officer needs to verify information with your school or prog​ram, we strongly recommend that share our contact information with the officers. Failure to comply with U.S. government entry-exit procedures may result in your being denied entry to the United States. Under certain circumstances, the CBP officer may issue a “Notice to Student or Exchange Visitor” Form I-515A, which authorizes temporary admission into the United States. Work with your school without delay to submit the proper documentation required by Form I-515A. 

Tip: You shou​ld be completely aware of your intended major and that you will take at least 12 units per semester.

You have 30 days to enter the country before your official program start date, registered in SEVIS and listed on your I-20. However, you must report to Santa Ana College within 10 days of arriving in the US.  

If you cannot enter the United States for the program start date listed on your I-20, or if you will be late by a few days, immediately contact us so that we can accurately reflect this information in your SEVIS record.​​