New Students
Immigration Requirements for New International Students
IESC International Student FAQ
Dear New International Student:
Congratulations on your admission to California State University, Northridge!
The International and Exchange Student Center (IESC) welcomes you and would like to offer you special assistance throughout your academic program. To ensure your success on campus, we will provide you with immigration and personal advisement, and a variety of social, educational, and cross-cultural programs.
All newly admitted international students must complete the Immigration Requirements for F1 Students that are incorporated in the 6-Steps International Student Mandatory Immigration Session, including registering for new student orientation. If you need assistance completing these requirements, please visit our website, or contact your IESC International Student Advisor (ISA). We look forward to meeting you at the IESC office in person in the near future.
The sections below include all initial information for newly admitted international students step-by-step. Please watch the video and follow the 6-steps below to get started!
This video was created to assist new international students with the 6-step check-in process with the IESC.
The 6-STEP Immigration Requirements for New International Students
| Step 1 | ACTIVATE YOUR CSUN ACCOUNT Problems activating your account? Please contact the CSUN IT Help Center. |
Once you complete step 1, please move on to STEP 2. You need to complete all the tasks in step 2 before printing the grade certificate of completion. |
| Step 2 | Complete the International Student Mandatory Immigration Session Course by clicking on the MODULES link | Make sure to follow the Instructions of the Course and review each module. |
Spring 2025 Transfer-In Deadline: Friday, January 3, 2025
CSUN must have your SEVIS immigration record transferred to CSUN by this date. This applies only to students who are already in the U.S. with an I-20 from a previous school.
*Please skip to STEP 4 if CSUN is the first school that you are attending in the United States as an F1 student.
Health insurance is required every semester. Purchase health insurance by 01/12/2025. Access the CSUN Health Insurance policy group website and make your purchase.
For additional important information regarding health insurance click here then select "How to Purchase Health Insurance."
*Please note: Students will not be able to register for classes until the foreign hold has been removed.
Undergraduate students who fill out the Response Questionnaire through The HUB International website, click here for the website, will be registered by the International Student Academic Advisor during the first semester only.
Graduate students will register in classes themselves and will need to contact their academic advisor in their graduate program for assistance when needed.
Spring 2025 Orientation Date: Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Register for the International Students orientation by clicking here.
A special orientation program has been designed for our international students. Additional information can be found at the New Student Orientation website as it becomes available; however, those registered will be sent a confirmation with further details.
Please report to the IESC by attending a Mandatory Reporting Session with an International Student Advisor and submitting clear and complete copies of ALL immigration documents (as outlined in the list below). Once you complete your Mandatory New Student Reporting, we can notify immigration of your attendance at CSUN through SEVIS. **WARNING! Failure to complete Steps 1-6 may affect your eligibility to remain in correct F-1 status. **
PART A. Please click here to sign up to attend a mandatory New Student Reporting Session. ***
PART B. You are required to scan clear, legible, and complete pdf copies of the following important documents in one email to newstudent@csun.edu.
- A copy of your valid Passport
- A copy of your F-1 Visa
- A copy of your CSUN I-20 all pages – Be sure to sign and date on the bottom of page 1 Student Attestation Section
- Previous school's I-20, all pages, (only if you are transferring your SEVIS record to CSUN)
- A copy of most recent automated I-94 form
- Copy of Canvas Grade Certificate (STEP 2), with the score of 90% or above
- New Student Check-In Form - completed and signed
- International Student Financial Acknowledgement - completed and signed
- Emergency Contact Information Form - completed and signed
***Please be sure all the documents are saved in PDF format and submit all documents in ONE email to newstudent@csun.edu for review.
Please visit our website on a regular basis for the most up-to-date information.