International students must have the following documents to apply for Columbia College:
- U.S. Visa
- Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20)
- (Optional) Affidavit of Support (Form I-134) – if student is in need of financial sponsorship
These documents should be brought to the admissions office at 8620 Westwood Center Drive, Vienna, Virginia 22182.
Embassies and consulates can issue student visas in 120 days or less, before the registration date of the course(s) of study. Applying earlier will not administer the visa to the student any earlier since consular officials deem this time necessary for the processing of paperwork and research. It is advised that students do not enter the United States any earlier than 30 days in advance of the course(s) being studied, as shown on the I-20 form. Continuing students may re-apply for a new visa at any time, as long as they follow certain criteria. They must be attending their classes regularly and be keeping their SEVIS records in current standing. Continuing students may also enter the United States at any time before the beginning of their courses, unlike first-time students. If you would like more information on visas and their wait time, visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas.html.
Form I-20 is a U.S. Department of Homeland Security document, issued by various types of colleges that provide support for the students obtaining visas or changes of status to their visas (F, J, and M non-immigrant statuses). The I-20 form was created for use in conjunction with SEVIS (Student Exchange Visitor Information System) and SEVP (Student Exchange Visitor Program) to provide correct information for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of State, to maintain a current list of visitors. Since the creation of SEVIS, the form includes a tracking number for the ease of student usage.
Form I-134 verifies that all funds will be available for education and living expenses while the student is studying in the United States.
Upon acceptance, future students in foreign countries should apply to the American Consulates in their country for an F-1 or M-1 visa. Then, he/she is required to pay the non-refundable deposit fee and, at minimum, the first session’s tuition. If a potential student is applying for an associate degree (2-year program), the student must submit a TOEFL score of a minimum of PBT, CBT, or IBT 65.
If you have any questions, please contact us at admissions@ccdc.edu, or give us a call at +1 (703) 206-0508. You can also visit our office at 8620 Westwood Center Drive, Vienna, Virginia 22182.
