If you live outside the United States and wish to obtain an F-1 student visa, you must request an I-20 form. Follow the steps below to apply to Columbia College and request your I-20.

Step 1. Submit Application

Please download the file and complete the Application Form. You do not need to print it, you can type directly into the document.
Once you have completed the form, please send it to the following email address.

Lina Gao
Admissions Representative
linag@ccdc.edu
301-202-2098

Step 2. Submit Requested Documents

  • A copy of valid passport
  • A high school or university diploma/transcript
  • A bank statement dated within the past six months showing the following minimum balance:

    $31,000 for applicants to the Associate Degree program
    $28,000 for applicants to the ESL program

If you plan to bring dependents (spouse or children), an additional $5,000 per dependent must be shown in the bank statement.
If the bank account is not in the applicant’s name, a signed Affidavit of Support from the account holder must also be submitted.

Step 3. Application Fee

Pay a non-refundable $100 application fee and a $150 document processing fee (this serves as a deposit).

Step 4. CaMLA English Test

Students are required to take the CaMLA English placement test after paying the application fee.

Step 5. I-20 and Acceptance Letter Issuance

After all required documents have been reviewed and approved, Columbia College will issue the Initial I-20 and Acceptance Letter.
These documents will be sent to the student via email.

Step 6. Pay the SEVIS Fee

Pay the I-901 SEVIS fee online at fmjfee.com

Step 7. Apply for your F-1 Visa

To apply for an F-1 visa, students must complete the DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application and pay the DS-160 visa application fee.

Step 8. Visa Interview

Schedule a visa interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country. Carefully review the list of required documents on the embassy’s official website, and be sure to bring all required documents to your appointment.

Additionally, please inform Columbia College of your visa interview date.

Step 9. Visa Approval

Once your F-1 visa is approved, please notify Columbia College of your planned arrival date in the United States. You are permitted to enter the U.S. up to 30 days before the program start date.

Step 10. Tuition

Pay tuition for 20 weeks and $200 International Student Service Fee within 2 weeks after the visa approval.

Step 11. Entering the U.S.

Upon arrival in the United States, students must report their arrival to Columbia College and provide their local U.S. address.

Step 12. Active I-20 Issuance

Once tuition payment is received, Columbia College will issue an Active I-20 to the student.

Step 13. Orientation

All new students are required to attend both the program orientation and the F-1 international student orientation.