International students must be registered for a full course of study at CSULB during FALL and SPRING semesters:

• Bachelor's and Credential Students - 12 units
• Master's Students - 8 units

Online Courses: Only 3 units or one online course per semester is applicable to the full-time enrollment total.

For students sponsored by their home country government or organizations, there may be additional limitations. Please consult with an International Student Advisor before enrolling in online courses.

International degree-seeking students who would like to discuss enrollment below a full course of study at CSULB need to gain authorization from the Center for International Education (CIE) prior to the beginning of each semester. There are only a few exceptions to the full-time enrollment requirement for the fall and spring semesters. For more information on the exceptions, click here.

Please Note: Enrollment for summer and winter sessions is optional for international students.

I-20/DS-2019:

International degree-seeking students must be aware of the expiration date on their I-20/DS-2019. If students cannot complete their degree by the Program End Date on their I-20/DS-2019, students must make an appointment with an International Student Advisor to request a program extension as soon as possible. The process of reviewing an extension request may take some time, and must be completed prior to the program end date on the I-20/DS-2019 form. Failure to obtain a program extension within the time limit allowed will result in cancellation of your F-1/J-1 student immigration status. See the Program Extension section below for more information.

Passport:

Students should keep their passport valid at all times. If the passport will expire within 6 months, student must renew it through the embassy or consulate of their home country. All international students must provide an updated copy of their passports to their respective international program office.

F-1 students who are unable to complete their degree programs prior to the program end date on their I-20 form (under the Program of Study section on Page 1) must make an appointment with an International Student Advisor prior to the expiration of the I-20.

Reasons for possible considerations of program extensions: 

• Medical
• Academic

The process of reviewing an extension request may take some time, and must be completed prior to the program end date on the I-20 form. 

Failure to obtain a program extension within the time limit allowed will result in cancellation of your non-immigrant F-1 student status.

International degree-seeking students who change their U.S. address must report the change to CSULB within 10 days of moving by changing your mailing address in your MyCSULB account.

F-1 students who complete an academic program or OPT have a 60-day grace period and J-1 students who complete an academic program have a 30-day grace period. During the grace period, students need to leave the U.S., gain a new F-1/J-1 status, or seek another immigration status.

F-1/J-1 students who have received prior authorization from an international student advisor to withdraw from classes have 15 days to depart the U.S. after the withdrawal date. Students who withdraw from classes without prior authorization are not eligible for a grace period.

International degree-seeking students wishing to file for an educational leave of absence during a fall or spring term must meet with an International Student Advisor for an appointment to discuss important F-1 student status and university policies in detail. We recommend that you plan ahead and meet with an international student advisor to gather more information before filing a leave of absence at CSULB.

According to CSULB regulations:

• Mondays:  9:00 - 11:00 am and 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
• Tuesdays: 1:30 - 3:30 pm
• Wednesdays: 10:30 am - 11:30 am and 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
• Thursdays: 1:30 - 3:30 pm
• Fridays: 9:00 am - 10:00 am

How to Join Zoom

Schedule an Independent Appointment

Students can use Beach Connect to access support from a variety of campus resources. Students can find resources such as Academic Advising, Tutoring, Academic Coaching, and more. Appointments can be scheduled online for a variety of services. 

• Appointment Procedures and Guidelines
  
• Find Appointments for Support and Services
• How to Book an Appointment on Beach Connect (Video)

Please review the following guideline carefully before scheduling an appointment:

SCHEDULING AN APPOINTMENT

Drop-in advising is a short 5-10 minute session. Advisors are unable to provide a more in-depth advising appointment. Please be mindful of other students who are waiting to be advised.

Drop-in advising will be offered on the following days and times (may vary according to advisor availability):

• December 2
• December 20-31
• January 10
• January 17-19
• March 31

ALI Students - email Tammy Guzman for an appointment: Tammy.Guzman@csulb.edu​

After booking an appointment:

An International Student Advisor will send you a Zoom meeting invitation via email. The Zoom meeting will be scheduled for your appointment date and time.

On the day and time of your appointment:

Use the meeting invitation email from your advisor to log in to your Zoom session. If you are a current student, use Zoom in MyCSULB single sign-on to add the meeting ID.

J1 Scholars - email Mr. Ignacio Castor for an appointment: Ignacio.Castor@csulb.edu

After booking an appointment:

An International Student Advisor will send you a Zoom meeting invitation via email. The Zoom meeting will be scheduled for your appointment date and time.

On the day and time of your appointment:

Use the meeting invitation email from your advisor to log in to your Zoom session. If you are a current student, use Zoom in MyCSULB single sign-on to add the meeting ID.

California State University, Long Beach requires all F-1 international students and J-1 exchange students to purchase and maintain adequate health insurance coverage prior to registering for classes. International students will not be able to register for classes until the Center for International Education (CIE) has received verification that you have purchased the mandatory California State University (CSU) International Student Health Insurance group policy offered through JCB Insurance Solutions. There are no exceptions to this policy. Waivers might be considered only for certain government-sponsored arrangements, and for students with a parent or spouse who has a U.S. employer-based policy that covers the student. For more information, please contact the ISS office.

• Next insurance hold will be active on:

  • November 1, 2021 if you bought the Fall Plan

  • April 1, 2022 if you bought the Annual Plan

• Next insurance refund deadline: October 15, 2021

If you will be studying outside of the U.S. for the Fall 2021 semester, you will need to place a formal request with ISS to assist in moving your insurance hold so that you may register for classes. Please note that it can take 3 business days to have a hold moved.

Click here to fill out the Insurance Hold and Refund Request form.

• Insurance Brochure Plan 2020-21
• Insurance Flyer 2021-22
• How to Obtain Your Digital ID Card (Please note: ID cards will not be available until the insurance start date or three weeks after purchase, whichever is later.)
• COVID-19 Insurance Resources
• Anthem's 24-7 NurseLine (speak to a Registered Nurse)

• Bachelor’s degree students must enroll in at least 12 units every Fall and every Spring semester.Master's degree students must enroll in at least 8 units every Fall and Spring semester.
• Credential program students must enroll in at least 12 units every Fall and Spring semester.
• Undergraduates must also comply with the university’s Timely Graduation Requirements

For information on exemptions from the minimum enrollment requirements, click here.

Please click here for information on the GWAR Placement Exam.

Each passport has an expiration date listed. As a student it is your responsibility to keep your passport valid at all times. If your passport expiration date is approaching you must contact your embassy or consulate in order to have your passport renewed. You must provide CIE with a copy of your valid passport.

No. It is legal for you to be in the United States with an expired visa as long as you are in good F-1 status; however, you must have a valid visa to re-enter the United States if you travel. If you will be traveling outside of the United States and have an expired visa, we recommend that you travel during the summer or December breaks so that you will have a better opportunity to renew your visa in time to return to your studies.

You will need to contact the U.S. Consulate in your home country for a complete list of requirements, but you should have the following: your current I-20, a current financial statement, a current academic transcript and a passport valid for at least 6 months.

Meet with an ISS advisor to apply for a program extension.

As part of your admissions process at the other university, you may be asked to bring us a form to verify that you have maintained your status while at the University. You will need to provide an acceptance letter to the new university and fill out the Transfer Out Request Form.

As an F-1 or J-1 student, your I-94 does not have an expiration date. Your I-94 should contain the phrase “D/S” which stands for “Duration of Status.” This designation means that as long as you are satisfying all the legal requirements of your student status and making normal progress toward completing your degree, you are legally allowed to stay in the United States.  For more information on I-94 visit the US Customs and Border Protections I-94 Frequently Asked Questions.

Under the F or J status, you are required to be enrolled full-time during the Fall and Spring semesters. If you decide to take a semester break please schedule an individual appointment right away.

Many students travel during December holiday, spring break, and summer break, as enrollment is not a requirement during these breaks. If you intend to travel for a short period of time while classes are in session, please communicate with your instructor and make sure you are able to complete your courses. If you are not able to complete all your courses for the semester, please consult with an international student advisor.

F-1 students will need to request a Verification of Enrollment letter from CIE.   For additional information on receiving a driver's license please see the How To Apply for a California Driver’s License handout.

Students should update their address through MyCSULB. If you are on OPT and can not access MyCSULB, please use the OPT Employment and Address Update Form.

We ask that you allow at least 7-10 business days for documents and requests to be processed. Notice of processed documents will be sent through e-mail addresses provided on the forms.

Begin by updating your passport in your home country or at your country's embassy or consulate here in the U.S. Once you receive the updated passport, please submit a copy of it with a Document Request Form to request a new I-20 at CIE. Your name will be updated in the university system and on your I-20. You will receive a new I-20 in the new name.

You should then update your name with the Social Security Administration, the Department of Motor Vehicles, and any other agencies which have records for you.

Please click here to read this PDF to learn more about how to write an invitation letter for family and friends visits to campus.