After You Are Accepted

F-1 Visa Application Process
International Student Fee Payment
Transfer Students
Cancellation Policy
Finding Housing
When to Arrive in Berkeley
Orientation and Course Enrollment

If you are accepted for admission, you will receive an acceptance packet with important information about applying for your visa, paying your fees and beginning the program. 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 student visa to attend the FSBE program. Non-U.S. citizens entering the country with a visitor visa (B1, B2) or under the visa waiver program are not permitted to engage in full-time study. FSBE is a full-time program.

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 student visa, take your acceptance documents, passport and your 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.

International Student Fee Payment

The international student fee of $4,450 covers certificate, student advising services and your first year of U.S. medical insurance. (Please note that certificates that take more than one year to complete require you to pay an annual insurance fee for each additional year.)

The international student fee is due 30 days before orientation. 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
They must be made in U.S. dollars and sent to:

Bank of America
1655 Grant Street
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

After you have wired the funds, email a copy of your bank receipt to intl_students@unex.berkeley.edu or fax it to +1-510-643-0216.

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 fax a copy of the confirmation receipt directly to +1-510-643-0216. 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
Bank 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 the Evening Certificate Programs, please contact the International Student Administrative Services office at +1-510-642-2564 or intl_students@unex.berkeley.edu.

View transfer application deadlines.

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 you choose to cancel your participation in the Evening Certificate Programs, you must notify the International Student Administrative Services office by the first date on your I-20 to be eligible for a partial refund of your international student fee.

Course Refunds, Withdrawals and Cancellations

Finding Housing

Your housing selection depends on your interests, preferences and budget. Choose from the bustling atmosphere of a dormitory, the independence of a private or shared apartment or the personal attention of a home stay. Visit Housing Options. You may also contact the International Student Administrative Services office for guidance.

When to Arrive in Berkeley

To adjust to the local time, you should plan to arrive in Berkeley three to five days before the start of your program. If you have not already arranged housing, you should arrive seven days before the start of your program 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 program.

Orientation and Course Enrollment

It is mandatory that you attend orientation. The date and time for your orientation are included in your acceptance packet. At the orientation, you will hear about your program requirements, receive your class schedule and have a chance to meet the academic staff and other personnel. In addition, the International Student Administrative Services staff will provide details of our medical insurance policy, basic legal responsibilities, understanding your visa documents, traveling and other items to make your stay in the United States successful.

Meet Your Academic Adviser and Enroll in Courses

You are assigned an academic adviser who will help you enroll in courses. You can meet with your adviser prior to orientation in a one-on-one meeting or during orientation in a group format. Before the start of your first term and every subsequent term, you need to meet with your adviser to discuss your overall program, review course choices and complete your study worksheet. You may view course descriptions and schedules online, but you can only enroll in courses by meeting with your academic adviser and using the study worksheet.

Continuing Through Your Program

Be sure to attend your classes regularly.
Maintain the full-time course load required for your F-1 status.
Schedule a meeting with your academic adviser each term to enroll in classes.
Enroll as early as possible each term to ensure that space is available in the courses you want.

For questions about certificates, the application process, housing or other services, please email Evening Certificate Programs.