J-1 Exchange Student Pre-Arrival Handout

You may have received or will in the near future receive the following information at the address that you provided on your application to CSUN:

• An email of Admission that includes your student ID number.
• An email from the University with your User ID and password and directions to activate your account, your CSUN portal. Please activate your account immediately to be able to access important information and email communications from the University, and register for classes (see below for instructions).
• An email directing you to a “New Student Registration” which has information about your registration appointment and directions regarding registering online (see below Registering for Classes).

If you are missing any of the first three pieces of information, it is either because your application has been processed after the deadline, or there may be an issue with your address. Please contact us if you do not receive any of the above information.

YOUR FIRST STEP after you receive your CSUN username and password: Activate your CSUN account on the web portal. Once you do this, you can access all the information in your records. You will be able to access the schedule of classes, obtain financial information, register for classes, etc. For more information, please visit the following link: http://www.csun.edu/admissions-records/guides

“Since 1961, "THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE [through] the Exchange Visitor Program provides foreign nationals with opportunities to participate in exchange programs in the United States and then return home to share their experiences."

• You must first apply at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy for the J1 exchange student visa. You will need your Form DS-2019, your country’s original passport, I-901 SEVIS fee payment receipt, proof of financial support, and any other correspondence received from CSUN regarding your stay. Please follow instructions given on the specific Consulate’s website. Note: If your family member such as spouse and/or children will be arriving with you, they should apply for their J-2 visas at the same time. Make sure to have the DS-2019 form for them. If your dependents will arrive after you, please contact eleanor.wolgast@csun.edu and marta.lopez@csun.edu to discuss having their DS-2019 issued after your arrival to the U.S. (See below Apply for a J1 visa)
• Please follow the instructions on your DS-2019. As an exchange student on a J-1 visa, your Advisor is Eleanor Wolgast. For any concerns please email: eleanor.wolgast@csun.edu and copy (CC) marta.lopez@csun.edu.
• As soon as you arrive in the United States, ATTEND a mandatory J-1 orientation meeting. This meeting will be held on campus on Friday, January 17th at 9:30 am – Please mark your calendar! You will receive an email message with the meeting information closer to the date of the meeting. At this appointment, you will be meeting your advisor, who will process your DS-2019 and immigration documents, give you important information on how to maintain legal student status in the U.S., help you become acquainted with the structure of your new campus, and make you aware of the campus offices and services you can use and help you with the registration process. Please note that you are expected to be enrolled in full course of study before attending this meeting. Important: As an exchange student, you may attend a maximum of one fully online course per semester. Additionally, J1 students may take in-person classes with virtual components (hybrid). You must enroll in at least 12 units as an undergraduate or 8 units as a graduate student.
• If you are outside the United States or planning to travel and re-enter the U.S, the last date for you to enter this country is January 16, 2025. This information is in section 3 of your DS-2019.

Failure to report to the IESC within 30 days of arrival and provide required documents will result in automatic termination of your SEVIS record by immigration.

Applying for a J-1 Visa

All international visitors are required to have a valid visa on their passport to be allowed entry into the United States.

Students who need to apply for a new J-1 visa or revalidate their expired student visa are responsible for all procedures, application deadlines and fees. A visa is a stamp or sticker placed in your passport at a U.S. consulate or embassy outside the U.S. A visa is only a permit to enter the United States. Once you are here, your DS-2019 becomes the relevant document that helps you to maintain legal immigration status.

You must make sure that your visa is valid for your entry or re-entry. An expired visa must be renewed at a U.S. consulate/embassy outside of the U.S. prior to re-entry.

Information on visa applications and US embassies is available at http://www.travel.state.gov/

Please make an appointment with the American Embassy or Consulate Office Abroad (http://www.usembassy.gov) as soon as possible to apply and interview for your J-1 student visa. Please check with the US Embassy/Consulate in your home country for appointments, required documents and processing times.

When you go for your visa interview, you will need the following:

• Passport
• Form DS-2019 (with valid travel signature for continuing CSUN students
• Proof of Admission to CSUN
• Proof of Financial Support
• Visa application forms and fees
• SEVIS I-901 fee receipt. If you are beginning a new program in the United States, you are required to pay a one-time fee of $220 before you can obtain a J-1 visa and enter the U.S. Please visit www.fmjfee.com for information and payment instructions.
• Additional evidence may be required to establish non-immigrant intent.

Please visit the U.S. Department of State website for more information about the visa application process.

Only citizens of Canada and Bermuda do not require a J-1 visa to enter the U.S. in J-1 status. They can enter the U.S. with a DS-2019 form.

Below is the list of documents that you must submit by January 24th. Please open an application in myCSUNglobe to upload the necessary documents. Students can log in using the CSUN login and their CSUN credentials (CSUN username and password). Students coming from Canada through the National Student Exchange program do not need to complete a new application, as these additional items should now be populating in your current myCSUNglobe application portal.

Please reach out to Eleanor Wolgast if you experience any trouble creating an application or logging in to the myCSUNglobe portal.

IMMIGRATION DOCUMENTS (PDF copies required)

1. Valid passport pages showing name, photo, number and expiration date
2. Visa
3. DS-2019
4. Proof of Health Insurance (read the details in next section)
5. I-94 (available after you enter the U.S.)

• For New J-1 Exchange Student arriving from overseas: Please click here to print your electronic Form I-94 after you arrive in the U.S., and bring a copy of your Form DS-2019 with entry stamp.
• For a Transferring J-1 Exchange Student from another U.S. school: Front and back of Form I-94 (white card) or if you have received an electronic form I-94, please print it, and Form DS-2019 with section eight (8) signed by the last authorized school.

HEALTH INSURANCE REQUIREMENT

All International Exchange Students are required to have health insurance coverage per Department of State Regulations. Please visit the following link to California State University, Northridge (CSUN) International Student Health Insurance group to purchase the pre-approved policy offered by Gallagher Student Health & Special Risk (Formerly JCB Insurance Solutions). This policy meets the Health Insurance Requirements as mandated by the California State University Chancellor's office.

*Please note that Academic Year exchange students must purchase the Academic Year insurance plan in order to meet coverage requirements for exchange.*

All international students will have a foreign registration hold (F hold) placed on their account at the beginning of each registration appointment period that prevents them from registering for classes. Once you purchase the insurance policy, the IESC will automatically receive proof of coverage directly from the health insurance provider, and your foreign hold will be removed.

How to purchase your health insurance policy:

1. Go to https://jcbins.com/
2. Type "CSUN" in the search box
3. Select your plan year (i.e. 2024/2025) and then "International Students (Not IEP or SAC)" from the list of options. Click Go.
4. Scroll down, click "View My School Portal" and then click "Enroll."
5. Answer Question #1 by selecting Coverage Term (Annual, Fall only, Spring only).
6. Click "Agree to Terms & Conditions"
7. Create account
8. Make payment

HOUSING: If you have applied for on-campus housing, you must use your student ID number from now on to access your housing information. If you have not applied for housing, please visit the Student Housing Application. HOUSING IS NOT GUARANTEED AND ALLOCATED ON A FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED BASIS.  Therefore, you are advised to apply AS SOON AS YOU RECEIVE YOUR CSUN USERNAME AND PASSWORD. For all housing inquiries, please contact the housing office at (818) 677-2160. Information on student housing is also available on the Student Housing and Conference Services website. If early access to housing is needed, it must be requested in advance through Student Housing at housing@csun.edu and it will have associated costs per night.

Off-Campus Housing: While the IESC is not able to recommend specific off-campus accommodations, students interested in living off-campus can use resources such as the Off-Campus Housing Database to explore additional housing opportunities. 

TRANSPORTATION: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the nearest airport to CSUN.

Important: Students are responsible for making their own arrangements for transport.

The following options are available:

• The best option is the FlyAway Bus, which can be boarded outside each terminal at LAX - Look for the Flyaway Bus signs. It departs approximately every half-hour (24hrs) and goes non-stop to the Flyway Bus Terminal at Van Nuys, California. PLEASE NOTE: There is a Flyaway Bus to one other destination, so make sure you get on the VAN NUYS FLYAWAY BUS (NOT Union Station). Travel time is 50 minutes and costs $9.75 one way (You can buy a ticket when you arrive at Van Nuys, but please note that payment is only by credit or debit card - NO CASH). Take a taxi from the Van Nuys Terminal to the CSUN campus (see below for the address for student housing).
• Taxis are available from LAX to CSUN and cost about $35 to $50. Authorized Taxicab Supervision (ATS) (323) 776-5324 L.A. Taxi/United Checker Cab (877) 201-8294. You may also visit Los Angeles Yellow Cab for services and other information.
• A "shuttle van" is also available outside each terminal at LAX. These vans carry several passengers and make several stops. Board the San Fernando Valley shuttle. The estimated cost is approximately $15 - $45 and the estimated travel time is one to one and one half hours. Advance reservations can be made at Super Shuttle website.

The Student Housing Department is located at 17950 Lassen St, in Building 6 on the corner of Lassen St and Zelzah Ave. Please do not have your cab wait for you while you check in. One student from New York had the driver wait, and he kept his meter running. The resulting cab fare was $75.00!

Please feel free email us or contact us at (818) 677-3053 if you require further assistance.

This information is for: Spring 2025

• Important! As an exchange student, you may attend a maximum of one fully online course per semester. Additionally, J1 students may take in-person classes with virtual components (hybrid). You must enroll in at least 12 units as undergraduate or 8 units as graduate student.
• Enroll in classes through the online portal using self-service registration. Log into your CSUN Portal with your CSUN user ID and password.
• Browse the Spring 2025 Schedule of Classes. Find dates tips and tutorials in the Registration Guide. You are strongly urged to read all instructions carefully prior to registering.
• You will receive information regarding registration that indicates your enrollment appointment sometime through December 10, 2024. If you are admitted after December 10, 2024, no appointment is required. Your enrollment appointment also displays in your CSUN Portal Checklist. Registering on the date you have been assigned will give you the best selection of classes and class times. However, you may continue to access the system as often as you like from your registration appointment date through February 16, 2025.
• Nonrestrictive Registration begins on December 11, 2024. No appointment is required. Wait listing continues from your registration appointment through Sunday, January 26, 2025 (11:59pm PT). Permission numbers are required to add classes beginning January 27, 2025. Learn more with the How To Guides.
• Weekday classes begin on January 21, 2025. Saturday-only and Friday-Saturday classes begin Saturday, January 25, 2025. Find more dates in the Registration Calendar.
• All international students will have a foreign registration hold (F hold) placed on their account at the beginning of each registration appointment period that prevents them from registering for classes. Once you purchase the pre-approved health insurance policy, the IESC will automatically receive proof of coverage directly from the health insurance provider, and your foreign hold will be removed (see instructions in previous section).

Please note: You may see a course listed in the University Catalog but not in the Schedule of Classes because the class might not be offered each semester. The catalog lists all the courses offered by the university, whereas, the schedule lists the courses that are offered in a specific semester.

If you cannot register for a specific class, it is because departments have their restrictions or prerequisites (PDF) per course. This may prevent you from registering for that class. Please contact eleanor.wolgast@csun.edu to request a support letter. You may email this letter to the professor as an attachment or print and present to professors when trying to add a class during the add/drop period.

Also, please keep in mind that seats in junior and senior level classes cannot be guaranteed. We do hope you are flexible with your coursework and are prepared to take some other courses if some don't work out. Unfortunately, we do not have control over departmental restrictions or course requirements that may be applicable to certain areas from your home campus' transcript.

Please visit CSUN Campus Maps and The University Student Union Map websites to help familiarize yourself with the campus layout.