After You Are Accepted

F-1 Visa Application Process
Program Fee Payments
Transfer Students
Cancellation Policy
Finding Housing
When to Arrive in San Francisco
Orientation

If you are accepted for admission, you will receive an acceptance packet with important information about applying for your visa, paying your fees and enrolling in the Intensive Academic English Program (IAEP). Please be sure to carefully read this information and contact us if you have any questions.

F-1 Visa Application Process

If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the United States, you must obtain an F-1 visa to attend IAEP (full-time program only). Non-U.S. citizens entering the country with a visitor visa (B-1, B-2) or under the visa waiver program are not permitted to engage in full-time study.

Your acceptance packet includes the Certificate of Eligibility (I-20) from UC Berkeley Extension verifying that you have been admitted into a full-time course of study. To apply for an F-1 visa, take your acceptance documents, passport and most current financial statement to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. If your family will be accompanying you to the U.S., you will need to apply for an F-2 dependent visa for each family member. Each family member will also need a dependent I-20.

Get more information about applying for your student visa.

Program Fee Payments

Payment is due 30 days before the first day of class. Payments must be made directly to UC Berkeley Extension in U.S. dollars. Four payment options are available:

1. Western Union Business Solutions
The preferred method of payment, the Western Union Business Solutions payment portal allows you to pay your account balance in the currency of your choice and provides a simple, secure way of initiating a payment electronically. Get detailed payment instructions.

2. Bank Wire Transfers
Transfers must be made in U.S. dollars and sent to:

Bank of America
1655 Grant St.
Concord, CA 94520 USA
Account number: 0175380001
Account name: UC Regents of the University of California, Berkeley, Extension, International Student Services
Routing number: 0260-0959-3
Swift Code: BOFAUS3N

All wire fees charged by the bank are the sender's sole responsibility. You are not officially enrolled until International Student Administrative Services is able to successfully track and identify your wire transfer. You must email a copy of your wire confirmation receipt directly to academicenglish@unex.berkeley.edu. The wire-tracking process may take 10–15 business days. No wire transfers will be accepted once the term has commenced.

3. Credit Card
MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Diners Club are accepted.

4. Bank Draft
Drafts must be in U.S. dollars and payable to UC Regents. The draft must be drawn on an account held at a U.S. bank or a U.S. branch of an international bank.

Transfer Students

If you are an international student already residing in the United States and want to transfer to IAEP, please contact the International Student Administrative Services office at +1-415-284-1071 or academicenglish@unex.berkeley.edu.

If your visa status is not F-1, please contact International Student Administrative Services about your eligibility. If you are interested in changing your status within the United States, the change of status must be submitted to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (U.S. CIS) prior to the expiration of your current status. Note: A visa stamp in your passport cannot be obtained within the United States.

Cancellation Policy

If your cancellation is received in writing via mail, fax or email prior to the start of your session, you will receive a refund less a $100 cancellation fee. The $150 application fee is nonrefundable. Given the special nature of IAEP, requests for refunds after the start of each four-week session will not be granted. If your F-1 visa application is denied after you have been accepted to IAEP, you will receive a full refund of your program fee.

Finding Housing

Several area providers offer various San Francisco and Berkeley housing options, including private or shared apartments, student residences and homestays. Get details about securing housing.

When to Arrive in San Francisco

To adjust to the local time, you should plan to arrive in San Francisco three to five days before the start of your session. If you have not already arranged housing, you should arrive seven days before the start of your session and visit the International Student Administrative Services Office. The earliest you can arrive in the United States is 30 days before the start of your session.

Orientation

Your attendance at orientation is mandatory. At the orientation, you will hear about program requirements, receive your class schedule, and meet the academic staff and other personnel. In addition, the International Student Administrative Services staff will provide details about our medical insurance policy, basic legal responsibilities, understanding your visa documents, traveling and other items to make your stay in the U.S. successful. Failure to attend the orientation may result in the cancellation of your admission.