International students

The Office of International Students and Programs provides a multitude of services for the International Student at CalArts, including advice on all aspects of visas and immigration matters, off-campus housing, assistance in locating ESL classes off campus, inter-cultural mediation and U.S. tax information. In addition, we present various programs throughout the year, including immigration and financial aid workshops, as well as assistance with immigration forms, employment authorization (practical training), and U.S. tax regulations. From time to time, the International Student Office will present entertainment and cultural events for the International Students as well as the CalArts community.

Visas and Immigration Regulations
The following are a few terms you should become familiar with:

Immigration and Naturalization Service (I.N.S.) - This is the branch of the U.S. government which deals with all immigration situations. The INS, in most cases, has the final say in all matters regarding non-immigrant aliens. The officials who check your passport and other documents when you arrive in the U.S. represent the INS. The INS has an office in downtown Los Angeles which some of you may have to visit under certain immigration-related circumstances. Most immigration matters are handled via mail through the California Service Center.

Visa - This is a stamp in the passport which is given to an individual at a U.S. Consulate outside the United States. Every visa has a particular number/letter designation and must be shown to an Immigration Official upon entering the U.S. Students at CalArts are, for the most part, assigned one of the two following visa classifications:

F-1 - Student Visa Status

J-1 - Student/Scholar Visa Status

The above are the two student/scholar visa classifications and stamped in an individual's passport, indicate the length of time it may be used to enter the U.S. The period noted on the visa stamp does not indicate how long a person is allowed to stay in the U.S. The number of allowable entries to the U.S. should also be noted on the stamp.

If a visa is expired, a student is allowed to remain in the U.S., as long as his/her I-20 or IAP 66 forms are still valid and the I-94 card shows the correct immigration status.

In Status - A student must be enrolled full time in order to maintain F1 or J1 status. Any departure from this, except in special circumstances, will result in a student being 'out of status,' which needs to be addressed by the International Student Advisor and/or the INS. All international students need a valid passport and must enter the U.S. with a student (F-1 or J-1) visa, obtained at a U.S. Consulate overseas. Canadian students do not need a passport and will be able to attain the student status at the port of entry. Spouses or children of international students should be listed on the I-20 or IAP-66 form and need the proper visa (F2 or J2) to enter the U.S.

The International Student Office will provide each student with an I-20 form (Certificate of Eligibility) which you must submit to the U.S. Consular Office abroad in your application for a student visa. In addition, you may be required to offer proof of financial support for your stay in the United States. You will receive an F-1 visa which indicates you have your financial obligations covered by either personal or outside private sources. Those students on an F-1 visa are not eligible to work while in student status. The exception to this regulation is an on-campus employment position.

If you are being funded by a government or other private organization, you may be issued an IAP-66 form by that organization. After presenting this and any information required by a U.S. Consulate, you will be issued a J-1 visa to enter the United States. A J-1 visa does not allow employment, other than work done on campus at CalArts.

When you enter the U.S., you will be given an I-94 card, either on the airplane or at the port of entry. This I-94 card contains your admission number (11 digits). It is wise to have the immigration official at the port of entry staple this form to your passport. The D/S stamped on your I-94 card signifies 'duration of status' and means that you can remain in the U.S. for the time during which you are in student status. This card is proof of your status in the U.S. and should be kept with your passport at all times. You will surrender this card upon leaving the U.S., obtaining another one upon your return. The admission number states the same, however, and is written on the card as well as on your I-20 form.

Maintaining status is the responsibility of each individual student as well as his/her dependents. In order to maintain your status, either F-1 or J-1, you must:

Keep a valid passport (except for Canadian students and/or dependents).

Maintain your I-20 or IAP 66 form at all times. If you are a transfer student, you must have CalArts issue you a new I-20 form when you enroll.

Make sure that the International Student Advisor signs the back of your I-20 AB form each time you leave the U.S.

Make sure that your visa is valid before you depart the U.S. If not, you should report to the International Student Office to obtain the appropriate paperwork. You will need to get a new visa from an overseas U.S. Consulate before returning to the U.S.

Make sure you maintain full-time enrollment at CalArts. The International Student Advisor will explain what constitutes 'full-time enrollment.'

Make sure you are in good standing academically. If you are having any problems with your coursework and are unable to maintain passing grades, please see the International Student Advisor and your Mentor to discuss your situation and possible solutions.

If your I-20 form expires before you have completed your program at CalArts, you must report to the Office of International Students/Programs to get an extension. This must be done 45 days before the expiration date on the I-20. The expiration date is the date stated under the #5 item on the I-20 and is the same as the expected completion date.

For those students in J-1 status, your IAP 66 form is usually for one year. You must contact the IIE representative in San Francisco if you have any questions or concerns about this. The International Student Advisor will give you the contact number.

Most students who hold the J-1 visa must abide by the two year home residency rule - which states that upon completion of the program, the student must return to his/her home country for two years before being allowed to apply for another type of U.S. visa (ie., work visa, permanent residency). The San Francisco office of the IIE will be able to address this issue and provide information on an individual case basis.

You can access additional information concerning immigration regulations through the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) website at www.ins.gov.

Orientation/Student Services
The International Students and Programs Office holds an orientation session for all new international students each September, usually on the Tuesday before Thursday's registration begins. Topics covered are immigration/visa regulations, housing, buying a car and obtaining a drivers license, registration procedures, employment regulations, transportation, as well as a question and answer period. Additional orientation sessions may be held to cover such topics as acquiring a Social Security number and setting up a bank account. Times for these sessions will be announced at the orientation session. You are asked to bring your passport, I-20 (or IAP 66 form) and I-94 card to this orientation session.

If, for some reason you are unable to attend the initial orientation session described above, you should know that you are required to report to the International Students/Programs Office as soon as you arrive at CalArts. Bring your passport, I-20 (or IAP 66 form) and I-94 card at this time.

Most student services, such as off-campus housing, sports facilities, campus events and activities are administered by the Student Affairs Office. Please check their information on this web site for details. Also, during the year, check the box office and individual school offices for performances, shows and events held each week.

Housing
CalArts offers on-campus housing in two separate units: Chouinard Hall for undergraduate students and Ahmanson Hall for graduate students. If interested in on-campus housing, you must request information and an application from the housing office directly (24700 McBean Parkway, Valencia, CA 91355).

For those of you staying in on-campus housing, remember that your housing contract is for one academic year. This contract cannot be canceled without penalty, unless the student has left CalArts and is no longer enrolled.

Off-campus housing can be difficult to obtain. There are apartments and rooms available in the Santa Clarita Valley (Valencia, Newhall, Saugus, Canyon Country, Stevenson Ranch) as well as other parts of Los Angeles. Available area vacancies are listed in the Student Affairs section of this web site (link: The Signal). In addition, our Student Affairs Office has space for listing apartments/houses to rent/share as well as space for a listing for those students who are looking for a place to live. You can check the Daily News and Los Angeles Times newspapers for further listings in the greater Los Angeles County area. As transportation is limited (see below), it is suggested that you live near the CalArts campus if you do not have a car.

Transportation
The Santa Clarita Transit provides bus service to areas within the Santa Clarita Valley (Valencia, Canyon Country, Castaic, Newhall and Saugus) as well as limited connecting service to the San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles. Buses are rather infrequent, however, and service is offered during limited hours of the day. It is not a good idea to depend on this bus system for transportation to and from CalArts.

In addition, the Metrolink train offers service to and from Burbank, Glendale and downtown Los Angeles Monday through Saturday. Again, hours of service are limited. The telephone for the Santa Clarita Transit Service is 661.294.1287. For the Metrolink Train Service, dial 800.371.5465.

Insurance
All international students must carry health/accident insurance while enrolled in school in the U.S. You have the option of purchasing the CalArts insurance policy or you can purchase another plan, either from your home country or a private plan purchased here in the U.S. If you chose the latter, you must present proof of being enrolled in another plan at the time of registration. If you elect to purchase the CalArts insurance plan, you may do so at registration.

The Nurse's Office at CalArts is able to see you should you have a minor accident or become ill. The nurse will refer you to an appropriate physician or health care center for further treatment if necessary.

Academic/Metier Requirements
Check with your individual school for the metier requirements as well as any concerns you may have with your program. The Registrar's Office will give you information on transfer credit as well as graduation/degree requirements.

Income Tax Summary

IRS - Internal Revenue Service. This is the income tax-collecting agency of the U.S. government

All F1 and J1 visa holders are required to file an income tax return, regardless of whether or not they have an income from a U.S. source, if they were present in the United States during the tax year, which is Jan. 1 to Dec. 31.

International students are required to file form 1040NR or 1040NREZ. These forms must be sent to the IRS Center in Philadelphia, PA by April 15 of each calendar year. Such forms will reflect the previous year's income/taxes.

Each year, the Office of International Students/Programs sponsors a workshop on filing these tax forms, with the actual forms and instructions available. Look for information on this in February.

Activities/Events
Various events, in addition to the multitude of performances/shows scheduled by each individual school at CalArts, take place each year on campus, including the annual Halloween Party, Mardi Gras, Fashion Show. All international students are encouraged to take part in these events.

We sincerely hope your time at CalArts will prove rewarding, both artistically and from a personal standpoint. The Office of International Students and Programs is here to help make that happen.