New Students

Starting a program at a new university can be exciting and overwhelming, especially if it is your first venture to the US. It takes time to adjust to a new culture, a new city, and new classes. ISP is here to help you with concerns you may have regarding immigration and cultural adjustment.

As you prepare to apply for your student visa and to gather information about Caltech and California, you may find useful information on the Resources Pages (please see links at the right). All new international degree-seeking students are required to attend International Student Orientation. Please click "Schedule of Events" for details.

Below, you'll find:

• Forms & Resources for newly admitted international students
• Forms & Resources for visa application and SEVIS
• Travel to the US
• Arrival on Campus / Check-In Procedures

Forms & Resources (Upon Admission to Caltech, to Request Immigration Support)

• Caltech International Student Intake Form
• Affidavits of Support (to report proof of funding)
  • Undergraduate (Bachelor's)
  • Graduate (Master's and PhD)
  • Visiting Student (non-degree)
• SEVIS Transfer Release Form (if moving from another US school to Caltech)

Forms & Resources (Upon Receipt of Immigration Document I-20 or DS-2019)

• I-901 SEVIS Fee
• F-1 Visa Application Fact Sheet
• J-1 Visa Application Fact Sheet
• B-1/Visa Waiver Program Fact Sheet

Travel to the US

By law, F-1 and J-1 students may enter the US up to 30 days prior to the Report Date (as listed on the I-20 or DS-2019).  If you plan to enter the US more than 30 days prior to the Report Date or any time after the Report Date, please contact an ISP advisor for assistance.

• Documents for Travel:
• Caltech admission letter
• Passport
• Visa (Canadian citizens are exempt from the visa requirement)
• I-20 (for F-1 students) or DS-2019 (for J-1 students)

• Transit Visa:
  • If you have any stops or layovers in other countries while traveling to or from the US, please be aware that you are responsible for any transit visa requirements or restrictions that might impact your travel through those countries. For more information about visas and transit restrictions, visit the appropriate consulate websites for the countries in which you are traveling.
    
    
• Arrival:
• When you arrive at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) or other US port of entry, an immigration official will review your documents and grant entry to the US by stamping Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Card, provided to you upon arrival. You then collect your luggage and proceed through Customs inspection.
  • For more information for international visitors (including international students) entering the US, please visit the US Customs & Border Protection website.
• If you require transportation to Pasadena, you can find taxis ($50-$80 cash) and shared ride vans ($17-$25 cash or credit card) from. Ground Transportation Centers located outside of the Baggage Claim area. Popular shuttle services to Pasadena, include: Super Shuttle, Prime Time Shuttle, and Roadrunner.
• In some cases, Caltech student organizations may be able to arrange for airport pick-ups. These arrangements must be made directly with the student organizations. ISP cannot assist with airport pick-ups. For student contacts, click on Student Profiles & Clubs.

Arrival on Campus / Check-In Procedures

When you arrive on campus, please plan to visit the following Caltech offices (recommended in this order):

• Housing Office to obtain your
  • on-campus housing assignment and address, if applicable
• International Student Programs, with the following documents:
  • passport
  • I-94 card
  • I-20 or DS-2019
• Registrar's Office to verify your registration eligibility and, if you did not receive it prior to arrival, to obtain your:
  • University Identification Number (UID)
  • Caltech Credit Union ID number for on-campus banking, if desired
• Caltech Card Office to obtain your Caltech Student ID Card
• Visiting Students must visit Information Management Systems & Services (IMSS) to obtain your:
  • User ID and Password
  • Caltech email account
  • Graduate and Undergraduate degree-seeking students receive the User ID, Password, and Caltech email account prior to arrival, so a visit to IMSS may not benecessary.
• Log onto Access.Caltech
  • Update your local address, cell phone number, etc.
  • Note: Immigration requires that you report address changes within 10 days of any move. As a Caltech student, you report address changes via Access.Caltech.