Congratulations on your admission to California State University, Long Beach. Admitted international students must follow and complete the Required Steps to Enrollment listed below. It is important to read carefully and follow all the steps to aid in your transition to CSULB.
Newly admitted students for Fall 2021 should wait for the Fall 2021 Required Steps to Enrollment, which will be made available after June 2021.
Submit Final Academic Reports & Documents to International Admissions a. Deadlines: i. Undergraduates: January 15, 2021 ii. Graduates & Postbac: March 1, 2021 b. Mail documents to International Admissions (IA): Center for International Education International Admission 6300 East State University Drive FND 180 Long Beach, CA 90815 USA c. If you are unable to mail documents due to COVID-19 please email International Admissions (IA) immediately: cie-admission@csulb.edu
Attend International Orientation Week Events a. Orientation week begins: Monday, January 11, 2021. Click here for orientation details. b. Orientations events will be offered online through Zoom.
In addition to the “All Students Starting Spring 2021” steps, students beginning their CSULB program in the United States must also complete the steps below. You are required to comply with all F-1 regulatory requirements as an international student.
Participate in Optional Pre-Arrival Session
An invitation will be emailed to you for our October 2020 session.
Clear your Holds
You cannot register for classes until all your holds are cleared in your MyCSULB account hold list. Click here to check your holds.
Check MyCSULB for these CIE holds:
International Admissions Documents
Immigration Check-In
Health Insurance
You are required to purchase the CSULB approved health insurance coverage via JCB before registering for courses.
Freshman and Transfers must purchase insurance 2 weeks before SOAR
In addition to the “All Students Starting Spring 2021” steps, students beginning their CSULB program from abroad due to the current COVID-19 regulatory guidance should review the following before registering for classes.
Clear your Holds
You cannot register for classes until all your holds are cleared in your MyCSULB account hold list. Click here to check your holds.
Check MyCSULB for these CIE holds:
International Admissions Documents
Students who begin their program from abroad are not required to complete immigration check-in or purchase health insurance. This requirement will waived for spring 2021 term.
If you see the following holds on your MyCSULB account:
In the email include: Your name, BEACH ID, and indicate that you are starting spring 2021 from your Home County and need holds adjusted for course registration.
Freshman and Transfers must request hold adjustments at least 2 weeks before SOAR.
International Admissions (IA) can help you with questions about transcripts, academic records, admissions document holds. E-mail: cie-admission@csulb.edu
Office of International Students & Scholars (ISS) can help you with questions about insurance holds, check-in and orientation information. E-mail: cie-student@csulb.edu
International Student Orientation Spring 2021
Due to COVID-19, Spring 2021 orientation will be offered during separate dates and times to support our different student groups beginning their programs at the university.
International student orientation and workshops will be offered online through Zoom. You will receive an email invitation a week before, which will include Zoom meeting information for all programs.
International Orientation
New international freshman, transfer, and graduate students who will be physically in the United States this Spring 2021 term are required to attend the mandatory International Orientation session.
On International Orientation Day, our staff and student leaders present and lead group activities to inform you on how to:
Maintain proper immigration status while studying in the U.S.
Adapt to American culture and university expectations
How to connect with the Beach community and get involved on campus with student organizations such as the International Student Association.
​Date: Monday, January 11, 2021
Time: 9:30 AM- 12:00 PM (Pacific Standard Time)
All students starting their program either physically in the Unites States or remotely online from their home country can join us for a special orientation session. We want to make sure you have the necessary information you need for a successful start at the university.
We invite you all to join our staff and campus partners to inform you on:
Academic Advising at the Beach
Student Employment and Practical Training
Learn about campus resources offered online (Campus resource centers will join our session and introduce their program and services).
How to stay connected with your peers and the campus community.
Date: Tuesday, January 12, 2021
Graduate Students:
Time: 9:30 AM- 11:00 AM (Pacific Standard Time)
Undergraduate Students:
Time: 1:00 PM -2:30 PM (Pacific Standard Time)
Students beginning their program online from their home country will emailed an invitation for a pre-arrival session offered in May.
An email invitation will be sent to you with more details during the Spring semester.
New international freshman, transfer, and graduate students who will be physically in the United States this Fall 2020 term are required to attend the mandatory campus safety and Title IX workshop.
All newly admitted students are required to comply with the current COVID-19 regulatory guidance for I-20 issuance. The form I-20 issuance has been changed for Spring 2021 to meet regulatory guidance for our university.
I-20 Distribution: Form I-20 will be processed and delivered electronically to your CSULB student email.
Spring 2021 Students - International Students Enrolled in Hybrid or In-Person Courses
Students must first obtain a CSULB Form I-20 before applying for an F-1 visa at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy.
Requirement for I-20 Issuance
Students who are currently overseas and do not hold a current F-1 visa status can request a CSULB form I-20 only if registered for a hybrid or face-to-face course in Spring 2021.
To request an I-20, you must be prepared to submit a passport copy, a 2020-2021 Financial Affidavit, and a current financial/bank statement.
After you receive your CSULB form I-20, you can click here to Apply for an F-1 Visa.
Transfer students who will remain in the U.S. during the I-20 transfer, and will begin courses in the U.S. for Spring 2021, may submit an I-20 request.
Transfer students who travel overseas during the school transfer in the fall/winter months are required to be enrolled in a hybrid or in-person class at CSULB in order to receive the new CSULB form I-20. You may not enter the U.S. if you have all online classes.
Transfer students who traveled overseas in the winter, and are enrolled in all online courses. You may begin a program remotely from a home country for Spring 2021. You need to transfer your record to CSULB, but you may not request an I-20 at this time.
Transfer Students
Current U.S. students holding valid F-1 status must request a transfer of their Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record to CSULB. Once CSULB receives the transferred SEVIS record, you may go to the link below for instructions and application to request your CSULB Form I-20.
Request your SEVIS transfer to CSULB:
Contact your current international student office and request a SEVIS Transfer. Your advisor will assist you on choosing an appropriate transfer date.
Provide your current school the CSULB SEVIS School Code: LOS214F00361000
Show CSULB admissions letter
CSULB does not use a SEVIS transfer form
Please note: Apply for CSULB I-20 at least 4 weeks before the start of the term. Please refer to the campus Academic Affairs Calendar for the date.
Students who begin their programs remotely from their home country will need to request a form I-20.
A student can request a CSULB I-20 form only if registered for a hybrid or in-person course for the term you are requesting the I-20 form.
Our center will review your class schedule to verify enrollment in hybrid or in-person course.
If you transferred your I-20 from your previous school, but began your program remotely in your home country, and have not received a CSULB I-20; then it is NOT necessary to visit the U.S. embassy/consulate for a new F-1 visa, unless the current F-1 student visa in the passport has expired or will expire before date of re-entry to the U.S.
I-20 Distribution: Form I-20 will be processed and delivered electronically to your CSULB student email.
COVID-19 Update: Guidance from SEVP requires transfer students who travel between schools to be enrolled in a hybrid or in-person course in order to enter the U.S. and begin their program at CSULB.
Transfer students may travel internationally between school programs. Upon re-entry to the U.S. student must show the new CSULB Form I-20 and proof of enrollment in a hybrid or in-person course.
It is NOT necessary to visit the U.S. embassy/consulate for a new F-1 visa, unless the current F-1 student visa in the passport has expired or will expire before date of re-entry to the U.S.
Please note: Students do not need a travel signature on the new CSULB I-20 for their first entry to the U.S. while in between programs.
Re-entry to the US will require students to show the following documents at the Port of Entry:
Passport (valid at least 6 months into the future)
Valid F-1/J-1 student visa in the passport
NEW CSULB I-20
Transfer Students
Transfer students may travel internationally between school programs. Upon re-entry to the U.S. student must show the new CSULB Form I-20.
It is NOT necessary to visit the US embassy/consulate for a new F-1 visa unless the current F-1 student visa in the passport has expired or will expire before date of re-entry to the US. Students do not need a travel signature on the new CSULB I-20 for their first entry to the U.S. while in-between programs
Re-entry to the US will require students to show the following documents at the Port of Entry:
Passport (valid at least 6 months into the future)
Valid F-1/J-1 student visa in the passport
NEW CSULB I-20
If you have questions regarding your I-20, please email: i20@csulb.edu.
Mandatory Immigration Check-In
All new degree-seeking international students must complete the Online Immigration Check-In for their CIE Check-In Hold release and to meet F-1 reporting requirements.
International students who fail to complete the Online Check-in may be dis-enrolled from classes.
Regulations require all prospective F-1 students to pay the I-901 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) Fee before the U.S. Department of State issues you a visa.
You should plan to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee when you receive your form I-20 from CSULB.
After paying the SEVIS fee online, print a copy of your payment confirmation. Take your payment confirmation to the visa office for your interview and when entering the U.S.
Once you have paid your I-901 SEVIS fee, you can apply for your F-1 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate. Visit the U.S. Department of State’s website for more information about applying for an F-1 visa. You can also find your nearest embassy or consulate by visiting the U.S. Embassy website.
After receiving your F-1 visa, check it for accuracy. Make sure that you have digital and hard copies of all your documents when you are preparing to depart the U.S.
Housing
Please note: the following sections contain links to various third-party websites. CSULB is not responsible for any inaccuracies that may be found on those sites.
Students should apply in early April for the Fall semester and early November for the Spring semester. Applications are considered complete when payment is made, and considered in the order of completed application.
CSULB's University Housing has 3 residential colleges: Beachside, Hillside & Parkside. When applying for on-campus housing, you get to choose your preferred community to live in.
All rooms are approximately 15 x 11 feet and furnished with a bed, dresser, desk, chair, wastebasket, closet & mirror, and a microfridge. Residents must provide their own Bed Sets (blankets, sheets [twin extra long], pillowcases, bedspreads, towels, & study lamps).
You can order bed sets and have them delivered to CSULB!
Visit the OCM website to view bedding options and make purchases.
You can have your purchase sent directly to Amazon@theBeach, which is on the CSULB campus. Packages received are held for 15 days. After 15 days the package will be returned.
Moving out of the dorms and need to ship your bed sets home?
Visit the Campus Copy Center inside of the University Bookstore for a full range of shipping services through UPS or U.S. Mail. Whether you need next day or standard shipping, we’ve got you covered. Shipping boxes and custom packages available.
The following options are NOT affiliated with CSULB.
APARTMENTS
Below are some popular apartment complexes students choose to stay.
Most apartments in the U.S. are not furnished. CORT provides furniture rental packages and housing information for students living off-campus.
Students that are participating in Study Abroad can also use this convenient Facebook page to get in touch with exchange students who are leaving our university and offering a place in their apartment.
Another type of off-campus housing is Homestay. With this option, you may stay in a room of a family's home. Click on the links to find the best homestay for yourself. (CSULB does not assume any responsibility for homestay providers, their business partners, or the Homestay Provider's clients. CSULB does not inspect homes, prepare contracts, nor place students with host families. Homestay agreements are between the tenant and the homestay provider. CSULB is not affiliated with any of the providers listed below.)
