After Acceptance – Next Steps

If you have any questions contact ie@bellevuecollege.edu

2025 Pre-Arrival PowerPointDownload

Step 1: Print your I-20 and Acceptance Letter

  1. Log in to the International Student Portal using your ‘Applicant’ log-in to access your I-20 and acceptance letter.
    • If you already created your NetID, use the ‘Current Student’ log-in.
  2. Print your I-20 and acceptance letter.
  3. Sign your  I-20: Bring it to your visa interview and the U.S.   

Step 2: Create your Student Accounts

  1. Create your ctcLink account:
  2. Create your NetID account:
  3. Wait 24-48 hours, then:
    • Log in to the International Student Portal through ‘Current Student’. Use your NetID log-in.
    • New Profile Confirmation: ‘This site is ready to create your profile…’
      • Click ‘No‘
      • Click ‘Submit‘
  4. You can now log-in to: 

Plan to live in on-campus housing?

Apply as soon as possible with your NetID at bellevuecollege.erezlife

On-campus housing is offered on a first-come, first-served basis and is not guaranteed. Apply for multiple room types as preferred options may fill up. Changing your application resets your submission date.

Step 3: Download 2 Mobile Apps

  • Microsoft Outlook (Microsoft Corporation): Check your student email daily for important updates about your visa status, classes, tuition, and grades.
    • Log-in with NetID
  • Canvas Student (Instructure Inc.): Used for all classes, this app lets you communicate with professors, submit assignments, review grades, and more.
    • Log-in with NetID

Step 4: Meet your International Advisor

Use your Bellevue College email to make an online or in-person appointment. Appointments open up 2-weeks in advance at midnight (PT).

BC_IE_2024_Advisor_Katie

Katie Pappas, Int. Advisor for Intensive English, Bridge, and International High School Completion

Kathryn.Pappas@bellevuecollege.edu
Click Here to Make an Appointment with Katie

BC_IE_2024_Advisor_Aidrien

Aidrien Wilkins, Int. Advisor for College Students with Last Names starting with letter ‘A, B, M, N, O, P, Q, and R’

Aidrien.Wilkins@bellevuecollege.edu
Click Here to Make an Appointment with Aidrien

BC_IE_2024_Advisor_Heather

Heather Woods, Int. Advisor for College Students with Last Names starting with letter ‘C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, and K’

heather.woods@bellevuecollege.edu
Click Here to Make an Appointment with Heather

BC_IE_2024_Advisor_Angela

Angela Leung, Int. Advisor for College Students with Last Names starting with letter ‘L, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, and Z‘

Aleung@bellevuecollege.edu
Click Here to Make an Appointment with Angela

Schedule a Mock Visa Interview

Schedule a mock visa interview before your actual visa interview.

During the mock interview, we will ask you common interview questions, walk you through the general process, and answer any questions you have about your program. 

Step 5: Student Visa

A valid passport, F-1 visa, and I-20 are required to enter the U.S. ​ 

  • Passport: Issued by your home government. Always keep it valid. 
  • Student (F-1) Visa:  Issued by a U.S. embassy or consulate.
  • I-20 form: Issued by Bellevue College International Education upon acceptance. 

The U.S. Department of State has announced that they will be including students’ online presence in the visa screening and process. Please make sure to make all of your social media accounts public and to list them on your visa application as requested. 

Visit  the DHS – I-901 website to pay the I-901 fee. Print the receipt.  If you need help:

Apply for your F-1 visa at  a U.S. embassy or consulate .  Prepare all  required documents.

For more information about F-1 visas, visit: studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students

Consider scheduling a mock visa interview with our team before your actual visa interview.

A visa officer will interview you briefly to decide if you are qualified to receive a visa. Click here to view useful tips. on how to prepare for your F-1 Visa interview

Review your visa denial notice. Then contact your IE admissions specialist  immediately. Each case is different, but you may try again.   

Common Enrollment Holds

Step 6: Class Enrollment – English Learning Students

Students in or beginning in our Intensive English or Bridge programs.

  1. You will be emailed a link to our online placement test 1-2 months before classes start.
  2. Complete the required placement test.
  3. Our team will review your results and enroll you in your classes.

Try to complete this process before arriving in Bellevue, WA.

  1. Make an appointment with your advisor online or in-person​
  2. Your International Advisor will tell you which classes to enroll in. ​​

Try to complete this process before arriving in Bellevue, WA.

Step 6: Class Enrollment – College-Level Students

Students in or beginning in our Certificate, Associate, Bachelor, and International High School Completion programs.

Math and English are required parts of degree programming. Register for placement testing as soon as you create your student accounts.

English placement: You may have English placement if you submitted exam scores.  

English 93English 101
TOEFL (IBT)Overall: 61+, Writing:13+Overall: 65+, Writing: 16+
IELTSOverall: 6.0+, Writing: 5.5+Overall: 6.0+, Writing: 6.0+
DuolingoOverall: 95+, Production: 75+Overall: 95+, Production: 85+

Listed instructions for class enrollment.

Most classes do not require a permission code, and you can skip the “permission code” to enroll when it asks you for the code.

You may need to contact the instructor to get a code when the class has enforced prerequisite(s), requires the department/instructor’s consent, or you are asking to add the class late up to the 5th day of the quarter except in summer.

Many classes get full quickly. You may need to find a different class or add yourself to the waitlist. You may have one waitlisted class per quarter.  

  • Enroll in at least 12 credits excluding the waitlisted class and pay the tuition and fees in full. In case you do not get into the waitlisted class, you have met the minimum credit requirement as an F-1 student.  
  • Pay attention to the quarterly enrollment deadlines and know when waitlist stops running every quarter.  
  • Monitor your waitlist status by checking your ctcLink and emails frequently. Pay the additional tuition and fees immediately if you get into the class.  
  • Nearly all classes require Instructor permission after the 4th or 5th day of the quarter even if seats are still available.  
  • Not all instructors approve late enrollment and/or overloading the course. If they do not respond, it normally means “no”.    
  • Always register for classes on your enrollment appointment date/time. Pay tuition and fees in full to secure seats even if you are still adding classes.  

Some college classes require prerequisites before you can enroll in classes. 

Returning, transfer, or concurrent students who have already satisfied the prerequisite(s) must submit the transcript to the prerequisite clearance process to waive the requirements. This process may take 3-5 business days so plan accordingly.

If you have attended a college or university in the U.S. or in your home country, please follow the instructions on “How to Transfer Credits to BC”. This process may take up to 8-10 weeks.  

You will need to be enrolled in classes before you can submit the request.

Try to complete this process before arriving in Bellevue, WA.

Step 7: Class Payment

Pay tuition before the deadlines (click here) to avoid being dropped from classes

  • Online in ctcLink: Follow the ‘How to Pay in ctcLink‘ instructions to pay your tuition and fees in full using a VISA or MasterCard. You must use the ctcLink Full Site for your first online payment.
    • If possible, bring a VISA or MasterCard from your home country.
  • In-Person at Student Financial Services (U-Building):
    • VISA or MasterCard
    • Personal check
    • Cash
  • Bank Wire: Email your International Advisor for an invoice. 
    • Generally take 3-5 business days
    • The sender (i.e., you) is responsible for all banking fees. 
    • Money Bellevue College receives via international wire must be used for educational expenses at Bellevue College only.  Leftover will be kept on the student’s account for future tuition.  

The pre-payment plan (STEPP) is available for international students through the Student Financial Services office. Call 425-564-2309 or email sfs@bellevuecollege.edu. 

The NelNET Tuition Payment Plan is not available for international students.

To set up a bank account in the US a student must have:

  • Copy of passport and visa
  • I-20 document
  • US phone number
  • US address

Students under the age of 18 can set up a bank account (checking account only) at Bank of
America without a guardian. The closest Bank of America to campus is at 1444 SE Eastgate Way in Bellevue.

Step 8: Arriving in Bellevue, Washington

Arrive before the required orientation: Check here for orientation dates.

Bellevue College International Education does not arrange or secure housing for students. Go to IE’s Housing site to learn more about housing options:  

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is the closest airport to Bellevue College.

Carry-on items for your flight to the U.S.:

  • Valid passport
  • Valid F-1 visa
  • Valid I-20
  • Emergency contact information (written or printed)
  • Bellevue College contact information and address (written or printed)
  • Health items: Glasses, contacts, and medications

Ground Transportation from the SeaTac airport to BC’s main campus:  Distance between the Sea-Tac airport and BC’s main campus is 27 km (or 18.6 miles), and typical driving time is 25-minutes.

Airport Pick-Up Service

You can reserve a private airport transfer from SEATAC (SEA) through one of our trusted providers for a flat rate of $100 USD, paid directly to the transfer company. The driver will greet you with a sign displaying your name and take you to your provided address within the Greater Seattle Area.

Contact Information:

When contacting, include:

  • Your name
  • That you are a Bellevue College student
  • Your flight number
  • Arrival date and time
  • Your phone number

As a condition of participating in the international student program, F-1 visa holders on BC’s I-20 are required to join the Bellevue College-Foundation arranged accident and sickness medical benefit plan every quarter. Read more at IE’s insurance site.  

Dental & Vision:  Bellevue College-Foundation arranged accident and injury insurance plan does NOT cover dental and vision. Address any dental or vision issues before arriving in Bellevue. Bring extra glasses and/or contact lenses.

Vaccines and Immunizations: Bellevue College does not require vaccinations for most students, except for certain healthcare programs. Consult your physician to ensure you’re up-to-date on common vaccines based on your age.

How to use your cell phone in the U.S.

  • eSIM: Buy before you arrive. Check phone compatibility.
  • SIM card: Purchase a plan from providers like AT&T, T-Mobile, or Mint Mobile.
  • If you don’t have a SIM card upon arrival, use airport WiFi to book transport and contact people.
    • Use apps like WhatsApp or Skype for WiFi calling

Step 9: Required – Attend New Student Orientation

Check the date of orientation by clicking here. It is required that you attend. Orientation covers F-1 visa rules, academic and enrollment rules, insurance, and more.

You will also complete the New Student Check-in:

  1. Log in to the International Student Portal through ‘Current Student’. Use your NetID log-in.
  2. Start the ‘New Student Check-in’
  3. Upload:
    • I-94
    • F-1 visa
    • Signed I-20
    • Your local contact information
    • Your local emergency contact. 
  4. Click ‘Submit’

Student Visa Basics

Maintain Your Status:  After you enter the U.S. on an F-1 visa, you must follow these rules:

  1. Attend the institution that issued your I-20. 
  2. Enroll full time each quarter
    • Intensive English: Minimum of 20-hour credits per quarter. Students must be enrolled in all in-person classes.
    • Bridge: 15 credits. Students must be enrolled in all in-person classes.
    • College: Minimum of 12-credits with at least 7-credits on-campus courses per quarter. Hybrid classes count as on-campus credits.
  3. Do not work illegally. Work only with your International Advisor’s approval.
  4.  Keep all immigration documents valid.
  5. Follow all federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
  6. Report address updates to your International Advisor within 10-days. ​

Contact your IE advisor about all other F-1 visa questions

Our Location:

IE Room U-202
Open Mon-Thu: 8 AM – 5 PM
3000 Landerholm Cir SE, Bldg U, Rm U202 Bellevue, WA 98007

Student Stories:

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Discover why students chose Bellevue College and read their stories and experiences.

Contact Us:

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Phone: (425) 564 3185
Email: ie@bellevuecollege.edu
WhatsApp: +1 425 269 3672
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Last Updated July 11, 2025