All international students wishing to study in the U.S. are required to obtain an F-1 student visa.

International students accepted for admission in one of our programs must obtain an I-20 form on which Columbia College Hollywood certifies that you are eligible for F-1 student status.

Submit the Columbia College Hollywood I-20 processing fee of $125.00 US along with your advance payment of your program’s total Estimated Cost of Attendance for one quarter at Columbia College Hollywood, including tuition, fees, and living expenses. See your Estimated Cost of Attendance here.

Submit an International Student Financial Sponsor Affidavit along with bank statements showing that you are fully financially supported and able to pay school fees and living expenses for a complete academic year with funds from outside the U.S. See your Estimated Cost of Attendance here.

Statements from multiple bank accounts are acceptable. Statements must show the following:

• The financial institution’s name and the account holder’s name
• The account balance that meets or exceeds the student’s Estimated Cost of Attendance for one academic year. See your Estimated Cost of Attendance here.
• The statement date within the past 6 months (older statements will not be accepted)
• The type of currency 

Bank statements and Financial Sponsor Affidavit can be sent to via email to the Columbia College Hollywood PDSO.

Financial aid is not available from either the U.S. government or the government of any state in the U.S., including the State of California.

SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) is a web-based Immigration system for maintaining information on international students.  Your Form I-20 is issued in the SEVIS system. All students receiving an I-20 must pay the SEVIS Fee (I-901).

Pay your SEVIS fee via the Internet by visiting http://www.fmjfee.com.

Once you pay the fee, be sure to save the receipt. You must have the receipt when you have you visit the Consulate and when you enter the United States.

*Not required for Canadian citizens

Contact the U.S. Consulate or Embassy in your area and follow their instructions to schedule an interview. Find a list of U.S. Consulates here.

It is important to apply for your student visa as far in advance as possible. Follow the instructions provided by the Consulate which include 1) completing the visa application forms and 2) paying the visa application fee.

*Not required for Canadian citizens

Here is a checklist of all documents you need to prepare and bring to your visa interview:

• Valid passport
• Form I-20
• Originals of supporting documentation including Sponsor’s Affidavit and Sponsor’s supporting documents showing ability to pay
• Letter of Acceptance from Columbia College Hollywood
• Completed Visa Application Forms
• Receipt for Visa Application Fee
• Receipt for SEVIS Fee
• Any further information required by the U.S. Consulate. Information, instructions and requirements provided by individual consulates should be followed to the best of your ability and their instructions given priority over instructions provided by Columbia College Hollywood.

After receiving your F-1 student visa, you may enter the U.S. up to thirty (30) days before your starting date on your I-20, but no later than the starting date. Contact us immediately if you require a change in your start date.

Upon entry to the U.S., you will be issued an I-94 number. Form I-94 is your proof of entry showing that you have been lawfully admitted to the U.S. To access your I-94 Arrival/Departure Record online, visit the CBP website at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov.

All students enrolling at Columbia College Hollywood for the first time are required to attend New Student Orientation prior to the first week of classes.

When crossing the border you will need to provide the following documentation to the Officer at the port of entry:

• Your Canadian passport
• Your original I-20 (same as the Certificate of Eligibility)
• Proof that you have paid your SEVIS fee
• A copy of your International Student Financial Sponsor Affidavit and financial records as proof of your ability to pay school fees and living expenses in the United States

Upon entry you will be given an I-94 Admission/Departure card. Your I-94 card shows your legal status in the United States. Generally, there are no additional fees, however if you are coming by land, the I-94 card may cost $6.00.

After you are accepted for admission to Columbia College Hollywood:

• Submit copies of your passport, visa, and current I-20
• File a Columbia College Hollywood Intent to Transfer Form
• Confirm your eligibility for a SEVIS record transfer

Eligibility requirements for a SEVIS Record Transfer

• You must have current and active F-1 status.
• You must have an official offer of admission from Columbia College Hollywood.
• You must transfer your F-1 record within 60-days from your last date of enrollment.
• The start of classes at Columbia College Hollywood must be within 5 months of one of the following:
  • Academic program completion at previous school
  • Last day of enrollment at previous school
  • OPT authorization end date
• If the period of time between F-1 activities is longer than 5 months, your SEVIS record is not eligible for transfer. The college will then issue a new initial I-20 with a new SEVIS number.

You may email all of the above forms directly to the Columbia College Hollywood PDSO.

You may stay in the U.S. in between programs/F-1 activities if the SEVIS record transfer procedures are correctly followed. 

If the period between attending another college and your start date at Columbia College Hollywood is longer than 5 months, Columbia College Hollywood must issue a new initial I-20 with a new SEVIS number. You must leave the U.S. within your 60-day grace period and re-enter no earlier than 30 days before your program start date at Columbia College Hollywood.

You must enter the U.S. on the I-20 from Columbia College Hollywood. It is important to discuss your travel plans with the Columbia College Hollywood PDSO so that an appropriate transfer out date and new I-20 issuance can be coordinated to facilitate your travel.

As long as you have followed the proper transfer procedures, you will be able to use your current, unexpired F-1 visa to reenter the U.S. even though it has your previous school name printed on it.

Yes. You must report to the PDSO on your scheduled New Student Orientation date and no later than the program start date listed on your I-20.