CONGRATULATIONS! You now have been accepted to Bellevue College, (BC).
Please complete the following steps to prepare yourself and get ready to study at BC.
*** NOTE: If you are transferring from a US school and already obtained your F-1 visa, it’s okay to skip the “Obtain F-1 Visa” step.
Student visas are issued by US Embassies and Consulates located outside the United States.
- Pay your SEVIS Registration Fee: fmjfee.comYou must have your passport and your I-20 (immigration document) from BC before you pay the SEVIS fee.
- You MUST print out the receipt from your SEVIS payment.
- You need the SEVIS receipt to sign up for the visa interview.
- You also need your SEVIS receipt at the visa interview.
- Find a US Embassy or Consulate near you
- Go to this website: http://www.usembassy.gov/
- Click on your area of the world.
- Click on your country.
- Click on Visas.
- Follow the instructions to sign up for a visa appointment.
- You must contact your local U.S. Embassy or Consulate for the required documents for your visa interview.
- For more information about F-1 visas, please see this website: http://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students
- Receiving a decision:
- If you are approved for a student visa, Congratulations!
- If you are denied a student visa:
- Politely ask the consular official why the application was denied.
- Also ask when you may reapply for a visa.
- If you would like to re-apply for the student visa, please contact your BC admission specialist: ie@bellevuecollege.edu.
Tips – How To Prepare for Your F-1 Visa Interview
Click here to view useful tips.
Important Notes for Canadian Citizens:
In most circumstances, Canadian citizens do not require visitor, business, transit or other visas to enter the United States, either from Canada or from other countries. There are, however, some exceptions to this situation. In determining your next steps prior to entering the U.S., please refer to the U.S. Consulate in your home country and read the instructions carefully.
On-Campus and Off-Campus Housing
It is best to secure your housing option before you leave your home country. BC students and scholars live in a variety of housing arrangements including BC Student Housing, apartments, homestay, and hotels depending on their needs and interests.
Four common options to find a place to live while studying at Bellevue College:
- Live in BC Student Housing
- Live with your relative or friends
- Live with a local host family or homestay
- Live in an apartment
Visit our Housing webpage to get more detailed information for the BC Student Housing, the Host Family/Homestay, Apartment, and short-term temporary (i.e., hotel) options.
Studying in the US can be exiting and stressful. However, your health is a priority. We strongly recommend YOU arrive healthy & ready to enroll full-time. A Check-Up for general health, dental, & vision BEFORE you leave your home country is extremely important.
You might wonder:
* Why do you have to do all of these “Health Check-up”?
* Do I have to buy a BC Student health insurance while I am studying at BC?
* What does BC Student Health Insurance cover?
Click here to view answer for these questions and more information.
You might have been wondering how much money would be enough and what type of monetary you should bring to help you in settling down at the beginning. Click here to view more information and helpful suggestions for you.
Important Dates to remember:
| TENTATIVE On-Campus Resident Move-In | Orientation | Registration |
| Jun 26 | Jun 27 | Jun 28 & 29 |
| TENTATIVE On-Campus Resident Move-In | Orientation | Registration |
| Sept 6 | College & IBP: Sept 7 ESL: Sept 8 | Sept 11 through Sept 14 |
| TENTATIVE On-Campus Resident Move-In | Orientation | Registration |
| Dec 26 | Dec 28 | Dec 29 |
| PROGRAMS | TENTATIVE On-Campus Resident Move-In | Orientation & Payment Deadline | Testing & Registration |
| ** Bridge Pathway ** Intensive English (ESL) Program ** LEAP (Learning English in Action Program) | Mar 27 | Mar 28 | Mar 29 |
| ** College Credits ** International High School Completion ** International Business Professions (IBP) | Mar 27 | Mar 28 | Mar 29-April 1 |
| Tentative On-Campus Resident Move-In | Orientation | Registration |
| Mar 26 | Mar 27 | Mar 28, Mar 29, & Apr 1 |
Important Notes
- Dates are subject to change.
- Schedule your visa appointment as soon as possible so you can arrive for the Orientation
- Your I-20 will list the first day you can enter the US under the ‘Earliest Admission Date’. You cannot arrive before that date.
- Orientation is mandatory. You must check-in to Bellevue College before the Orientation. Any student trying to enter after the orientation date could have problems entering the US.
- If you are unable to arrive in Bellevue, WA by the scheduled new student orientation date on your initial I-20 form, we strongly advise you defer your enrollment to a future term. To receive a new deferral I-20 form, an additional application fee ($50) and proof of your I-901 fee payment receipt are required. If you are a transfer application from a U.S. school, please consult your International Admissions Specialist.
What MUST be packed in your carry-on luggage?
* Valid Passport
* Valid F-1 Visa
* I-20 form
And:
- I-901 Receipt
- A complete local address (where you will be staying in the US)
You will need:
- ctcLink Student ID – ctcLink Student ID Number (20x-xx-xxxx). You can locate this ctcLink Student ID from your BC acceptance letter via email from your BC Admission Specialist.
- Date of Birth
- Last Name
- First Name
Orientation and Check-In Dates:
| TENTATIVE On-Campus Resident Move-In | Orientation | Registration |
| Sept 6 | College & IBP: Sept 7 ESL: Sept 8 | Sept 11 through Sept 14 |
| TENTATIVE On-Campus Resident Move-In | Orientation | Registration |
| Dec 26 | Dec 28 | Dec 29 |
| Tentative On-Campus Resident Move-In | Orientation | Registration |
| Mar 26 | Mar 27 | Mar 28, Mar 29, & Apr 1 |
| TENTATIVE On-Campus Resident Move-In | Orientation | Registration |
| Jun 26 | Jun 27 | Jun 28 & 29 |
Important Notes
- Dates shown are subject to change.
- Orientation is mandatory. You must check-in to Bellevue College before the Orientation. Any student trying to enter after the orientation date could have problems entering the US.
- Students who miss orientation will NOT be allowed to join their applied program. Students who miss the orientation will have to defer to a future quarter. Please contact us at accepted@bellevuecollege.edu to request for a new I-20 for your future quarter.
Bring the following documents with you to the Orientation and Check-in date:
- Passport
- Visa
- I-20
- A complete local address (where you are staying) and telephone number
- A complete local emergency contact: your relative’s or friend’s or guardian’s name, phone number, and email address
- Money to pay for your tuition, ORCA bus-pass card or parking permit, and/or books
- Any update admission documents (e.g., proof of high school graduation, final O-level test results, final SACM Guarantee Financial letter, update TOEFL/IELT test result, etc.)
Transportation
You can use many types of transportations to/from Bellevue College, such as driving a car, riding a bicycle (bike), or taking a metro bus. Each type of transportation you choose has different requirements. For example, you need a valid driver’s license and a parking permit if you drive a car; you need to purchase an ORCA (bus-pass) card if you ride a bus, etc.
Click here to view more detailed information about Transportation and its requirements.
Other Recommended Documents to Bring with You to the US
1. Bring official transcript(s) from your previous college or university:
- For information about transferring credit from another college or university, please see our website about transcript’s requirements
- To transfer credit you will also need to fill out the Official Transfer Credit Evaluation Request form
2. Bring several sets of recommendation letters and resume in English. You may need these when you are eligible to do an internship or work on-campus.
Last Updated January 26, 2023
