Global

Your Welcome Packet should include your F-1 I-20. Your I-20 is an important document that is required to apply for your F-1 visa, enter the U.S. Check that all the information is correct and contact our ISS office immediately if there are any errors.

All new students must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee at least 3 days before their visa appointment or arrival, whichever comes first. Enter the information from your I-20 and pay your fee at fmjfee.com. *Students who are transferring their SEVIS record directly from another U.S. school are not required to pay again.

Most students will need a valid F-1 visa to enter the U.S. Visa applications can take a few weeks to a few months, so book your appointment at your local U.S. Embassy or Consulate as soon as possible. See more information about applying for your student visa.

UC Berkeley Extension recommends several area housing providers, including private or shared apartments, dormitories and homestays. You are required to make housing arrangements directly with the recommended providers. Please do not send any housing payments to UC Berkeley Extension. We strongly suggest you apply early and arrange housing in advance of your arrival. For more details, visit our housing information page.

F-1 students must follow specific regulations while in the U.S. regarding travel, course enrollment, employment, etc. Make sure you read and understand the F-1 Student rules and requirements before you arrive.

At least one month before your program start date, you will be asked to provide your photo for your Student ID Card. Details vary per program and will be shared via email.

Deadlines will vary by program. For most programs, full or partial payment is required before the program start date. Check your invoice and refer to our Paying my Program Fees section for payment options.

Course enrollment policies and timing will vary by program. Your Academic Program Adviser will send you course enrollment information via email.

Students should plan to arrive in the U.S. before the program start date listed on their Form I-20. We recommend that you arrive in Berkeley 5 to 7 days before your orientation date. Note: Your I-20 program start date may not reflect your exact orientation date(s).

Students entering the US on an Initial Attendance Form I-20 may enter the country up to 30 days before their program start date. This date is listed on your I-20 as the Earliest Admission Date. For students transferring from another school, this 30-day entry rule does not apply.

To enter the U.S., F-1 students must bring the following:

• Valid passport and F-1 visa
• Signed Form I-20 (original, not copy)
• SEVIS I-901 fee receipt
• Proof of financial support
• Proof of admission

Make sure to keep these documents with your carry-on luggage as you will need to show them at the Port of Entry. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will inspect your documents, ask you to provide your fingerprints, and ask you questions about the purpose of your visit (to study), where you will live, etc. Just remain calm and answer the questions honestly. Be prepared to provide this information on entry:

Your Housing Accommodations

Have the name, address, and phone number of where you will be staying (temporary or permanent).

School Official Information

Olga Paly, International Student Advisor/PDSO

1995 University Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704 | 510-642-2564

Also save our ISS Emergency number, 510-409-6156, in your phone. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The closest airports to Berkeley are San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Oakland International Airport (OAK). ISS does not provide transportation for students to and from local airports, however we suggest you consider the following transportation services. All prices are estimates and vary based on time, route and number of passengers.

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART): BART is the local metro/subway public transportation system and has stations at both SFO and OAK. You will need to plan additional transportation to get from the BART station to your housing. Tickets are available for purchase at any BART station. Cost: $10 one way to Berkeley, depending on the station

Airport Shuttle: Van pick-up services leave from major airports and will take you from the airport directly to your housing. There are many different companies and you can shop around for the best price. Reserve via their website ahead of time. From SFO: $50–$100; from OAK: $34–$70

Ride-sharing Apps (such as Lyft or Uber): Mobile phone applications require you to download their app to access services. You need Wifi or cell service to use them and payment is processed directly from your phone. From SFO: $40–$60; from OAK: $8–$20

Required! You must update your U.S. local address and report your arrival to ISS as soon as you enter the U.S. After your arrival in the United States, you must do the following:

1. Add your local (U.S.) address and current email address to your student profile by selecting "Local" as your "Address Type". Also add your U.S. phone number (if you have one). Do not overwrite your foreign home address. Temporary or short-term addresses are accepted. A correctly written U.S. address looks like this:

   Example	Description
   1234 Main Street	Street address
   Apt 12a	Apartment or room number
   Berkeley, CA	City, State
   94720	Zip Code

   If you know where you are planning on living, you can even do this before you arrive!
2. Complete the International Programs Registration Form. You will need to provide:
   1. Copy/Scan of your U.S. visa
   2. Copy/Screenshot of your I-94 Arrival Record. Contact extension-intl@berkeley.edu right away if you are unable to find your I-94.
   3. Emergency contact person in the U.S. or one in your home country.

Deadline: Students should complete this process before the first day of class or I-20 Program Start Date.

Orientation is your chance to meet your classmates and advisers, learn about program requirements, receive important information to help you succeed and start making friendships with your fellow students.

Your attendance at orientation is mandatory. The date and time for your orientation will be sent to you via email. If you are unable to attend orientation, please contact your program adviser as soon as possible.

Sample topics covered are:

• Maintaining Your Visa Status
• Health & Safety
• Cultural Adjustment
• Course Enrollment
• Academic Success

In the Fall and Spring semesters, students who are eligible* will receive a Cal 1 Card and Clipper Card. Generally, you will be able to pick up your Cal 1 Card from the UC Berkeley Extension office the week before your Orientation. More details will be shared via email.

*Only Fall and Spring students who are eligible to take Concurrent Enrollment classes on campus are eligible for a Cal 1 Card. Students who are not eligible for the Cal 1 Card will receive an Extension ID Card at or after Orientation.

Health insurance is required for the entire duration of your studies. We recommend that you carry your health insurance ID card with you at all times while in the U.S. For students with the UC Berkeley Extension health insurance plan, your ID card will be available for download about 1-2 weeks after you have reported your arrival (see above). You will be notified via email when it is available.

We also recommend that you save our After-Hours Emergency phone number (510) 409-6156 to your phone. Please only use this number outside of normal business hours and only for real emergencies.