The Office of International Students and Scholars Services (ISS) supports international students, visiting scholars, and international faculty with immigration advising and support services.
Online E-Advising Services
If you need more guidance using Zoom, please click here.
Advising Appointments
International students, J1 Scholars, and ALI students may schedule an appointment to meet with an International Student Advisor.
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.
- 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
- Monday, August 17 at 1:30 PM
- Wednesday, August 19 at 10:30 AM and 2:00 PM
- Thursday, August 20 at 1:30 PM
Meet with an Advisor
NOTICE: Advising services are conducted through Zoom.
Before joining the Zoom session, make sure you have access to a computer with an enabled microphone and camera.
If you need more guidance using Zoom, please click here.
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.
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Please review the following guideline carefully before scheduling an appointment:
SCHEDULING AN APPOINTMENT
| Student Reason for Meeting | Appointment Reason |
| Academic Probation, Disqualification, Course Difficulties |
Academic Challenges |
| CPT, OPT, On-Campus Employment, STEM OPT, CAP-GAP |
Career and Internship Exploration |
| Concurrent Enrollment Permission | Degree Progress and Planning |
| Sponsor Students from SACM or Oman | Explore or Declare Major/Minor |
| Educational Leave, Medical Leave, Course Withdrawal, Repeating Course, Grade Forgiveness, Incomplete Grade, Grade Change |
Policy Clarification & Appeals |
| F-1 Status Reinstatement, CIE Check-in Hold, Transfer out, I-20 Extension, F-2 Dependent |
Visa/Immigration |
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):
- 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
- Click here to attend a Zoom meeting (ID: 912 8283 7414)
Drop-in advising will not be available on the following dates:
- Monday, September 7 (campus closed for Labor Day)
- Friday, September 18 (ISS closed for staff training)
- Wednesday, November 11 (campus closed for Veterans Day)
- Thursday-Friday, November 26-27 (campus closed for Thanksgiving)
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.
Travel
Travel and Re-entry to the U.S
In order to re-enter the U.S. after a temporary absence (less than 5 months), students must be in good immigration status and carry the following documents:
- Valid Passport (valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of the re-entry to the U.S.)
- Valid F-1/J-1 student visa in passport (except students from Canada)
- I-20/DS-2019 with a valid travel signature
- Students who need a new travel signature should submit a Document Request Form along with the original I-20/DS-2019 to the Foundation Building (Suite 180).
Other Recommended Documents to Carry:
- Copy of CSULB transcript and/or proof of course registration. You can print these documents from your MyCSULB account.
- Evidence of financial resources.
- Contact information of International Students and Scholars.
F-1 Students on OPT
F-1 Students on OPT must carry the following documents:
- I-20, signed for travel by an International Student Advisor within the last 6 months.
- Passport, valid for at least 6 months beyond your expected date of entry into the United States.
- Valid F-1 student visa in passport (except students from Canada)
- Unexpired EAD or a copy of the OPT Receipt/Approval Notice, if the EAD has not yet arrived.
- Letter from your current or prospective employer verifying that you are returning to the United States to continue or to accept new employment.
- Contact information of your DSO.
- Make sure you have not exceeded unemployment time and that you continue to maintain F-1 status by fulfilling all mandatory reporting requirements.
Forms
In-Person Requests:
- I-20 Travel Signature Request Form. Complete this form and bring it to Foundation 180 with your most recent I-20 form.
Online Requests:
- Degree Student Request
- American Language Institute (ALI) Student-Document Request
- Sponsored Student Request
- OPT Application
- STEM OPT Application
- Transfer Out Request (Not for ALI Students)
Email Requests to cie-student@csulb.edu:
- STEM OPT Employment and Address Update Form
- Request for Letter for Social Security Office Form
- OPT Employment and Address Update Form
- Cap Gap Extension Request
- CPT Application
You may email any concerns regarding your request to cie-student@csulb.edu. The subject line should include: the type of request submitted, name of student, and CSULB ID number.
Health Insurance
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.
Purchasing Insurance
International students can click here to purchase the required insurance coverage through JCB Insurance Solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
- 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.