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INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

You do not need a valid US visa to complete an admission application at Fuller Seminary; however, you must have a valid non-immigrant visa to enter the United States if you intend to study on campus.

Most international students admitted to Fuller Seminary will need to obtain F-1 or J-1 Visas to study on the Pasadena campus.

New students admitted to the Fall Quarter for study in an on-campus program should submit a request for an I-20 form to Fuller's International Services Office (iso@fuller.edu) no later than June 15. The International Services Office may not be able to accommodate requests for I-20 forms received after this deadline.

If you are an international student transferring from another U.S. institution, please complete and submit the Transfer Release Form to iso@fuller.edu.

If you are an international student on another non-immigrant visa status (e.g. H-1, R-1, etc.) and would like more information about your eligibility to enroll in classes at Fuller, please click here.

F-1 Pasadena Students

STEP 1: APPLY TO FULLER

Apply to Fuller and receive acceptance into a visa-eligible degree program.

STEP 2: PREPARE DOCUMENTS

The Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20/DS-2019) is a government form that allows you to obtain a student visa (F-1 or J-1) from a U.S. Consulate or Embassy and enter the U.S. as an F-1 or J-1 student. It is created by an SEVP approved school and sent to you prior to your start date. Carefully read all instructions and prepare documents necessary for the Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20/DS-2019) ApplicationTo be eligible to receive a Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20/DS-2019), submit a complete Certificate of Eligibility Application three months prior to your program start date. U.S Regulations require all international students to demonstrate that they have sufficient funds for their program of study (includes tuition, school fees, health insurance, and living expenses for students and their dependents). For the purpose of issuing a Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20/DS-2019), students must verify funds for a minimum of one year of study and access to sufficient funds to cover subsequent years.

STEP 3: SUBMIT CERTIFICATE OF ELIGIBILITY APPLICATION

Submit a complete I-20 Request no later than three months prior to the start date of your program (we recommend filling out the form using Adobe Reader). Upon proper completion of the application, the International Services Office will send you a Certificate of Eligibility (please allow two weeks for processing). A complete I-20 Request will include the following:

  • Certificate of Eligibility Application
  • Copy of passport biographic page (applicant and all accompanying dependents)
  • Financial document(s)
  • Confidential Declaration of Financial Support (if applicable)
  • Transfer Release Form (for F-1 students wishing to transfer to Fuller from a SEVP approved school ONLY)

STEP 4: PAY SEVIS FEE

Upon receiving your Certificate of Eligibility, pay the Department of Homeland Security Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVIS) fee.

STEP 5: SCHEDULE A VISA INTERVIEW

Schedule a visa interview with the U.S. Consulate or Embassy. Bring your Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20/DS-2019), passport, financial documents, Confidential Declaration of Financial Support (if applicable), Fuller Theological Seminary acceptance letter and SEVIS Fee payment receipt to the interview. Also be sure to check with your local embassy to verify whether they require any other documents for the visa interview.

STEP 6: ENTER THE U.S.

When coming to the U.S. to begin a program at Fuller for the first time, you may be asked to present the following documents at the Port of Entry:

  • Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20/DS-2019)
  • Valid student visa and applicable dependent visa(s) (Canadian citizens exempt)
  • Valid passport for each member of your family traveling with you
  • Confidential Declaration of Financial Support-be prepared to show evidence of your financial ability to support yourself while you are in the U.S.

Upon being admitted to the U.S., Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will create an electronic I-94 admission record that will be available immediately online at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home. We recommend that students print out a copy of the I-94, which will be necessary in the case of employment and to apply for benefits such as a Social Security Number (SSN) or driver's license. Arrange housing ahead of time. If you do not have housing available before coming to the U.S., it is advisable to reserve a hotel or a room at the Fuller Guest Center for temporary accommodations.

STEP 7: REPORT TO ISO

Report to the International Services Office within 7 days of your arrival. To complete your check-in, please bring the following for yourself and any dependents:

  • Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20/DS-2019)
  • Passport and U.S. Visa
  • U.S. Address
  • I-94 Admission Record
J-1 Pasadena Exchange Visitor
F-1 한국학생
F-1 Estudiantes de Pasadena

TRANSITION TIPS FOR ADJUSTING TO LIFE IN PASADENA

What is life like in Pasadena, California? What about banking, schools for children, cell phones, and finding furniture? Find out here.

VISA WAIVER PROGRAM & TOURIST VISAS

Students currently holding a tourist visa or coming from a member country of the Visa Waiver Program  must still obtain a student visa in order to begin an academic program in the United States. U.S. regulations do not allow persons who enter the US on a tourist visa or the VWP to enroll in courses for an academic program during their stay in the United States. This applies for both long-term and short-term programs.

Contact Us

Contact Info

Email: iso@fuller.edu
Phone: 626.584.5396
Fax: 626.304.3730

Mailing Address
135 N Oakland Ave
Attn: International Services Office
Pasadena, CA 91182

Team

Seel Jang
Senior International Student Advisor, PDSO and RO
Korean Language

626.584.5663
seeljang@fuller.edu

Hephzibah Purtee
Senior International Student Advisor, DSO and ARO

626.584.5395
hpurtee@fuller.edu

Office Hours

Monday-Thursday 8am - 5pm (Pacific Time)
Friday 10am - 5pm (Pacific Time)