Image

If you are enrolling in Summer Sessions courses from abroad, follow the steps below to obtain an F-1 or J-1 Student Status:

  1. Register for Summer Sessions. During the registration process, you will be guided through questions that will determine whether the F-1 or J-1 is the appropriate status for you. You will be offered the option to request a Certificate of Eligibility Form I-20 (F-1) or DS- 2019 (J-1) from UC Berkeley as part of this registration process. The Certificate of Eligibility form is required to apply for your U.S. entry visa.
  2. Enroll in a full-time course load. Full-time enrollment is required to be eligible for a F-1 or J-1 student visa status. You are not allowed to drop classes or change your schedule once the Certificate of Eligibility has been issued.
  3. Fax to Summer Sessions at 510-642-2877 or email intl_summer@berkeley.edu with a PDF attachment copies of the following:
    1. Financial records that show you are able to support your studies in the U.S. (see "Required Funding,").
    2. Passport - biographic page (page showing date of birth etc.)

    DEADLINE

    This is the deadline to submit all REQUIRED DOCUMENTS to complete the Certificate of Eligibility request. Certificate of Eligibility will not be issued to students who fail to meet the deadline.

    Deadline Session A Session B Session C Session D Session E
    Request Certificate of
    Eligibility for Visa    		 April 23 May 7 May 21 June 4 June 25
  4. Receive your Certificate of Eligibility via Federal Express mail. Pay your SEVIS fee (see "SEVIS Fee,").
  5. Make an appointment at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your area to apply for a F-1 or J-1 visa stamp. The visa stamp will be placed in your passport and is required for entering the U.S. You will be required to present your form I-20 or DS-2019 along with other documents to get the visa. Please note: Visa stamps are not required for Canadian citizens.
  6. Enter the U.S with your F-1 or J-1 visa, and your form I-20 or DS-2019.
  7. Attend a required Arrival Meeting to confirm your visa status with UC Berkeley.

Important: After your arrival in the U.S. as an F-1 or J-1 student, you will not be allowed to change the starting date of your summer session.

« Back to Visa Information