International Applicants
We’re excited to welcome our new CalArtians to campus! To ensure a smooth transition and a successful start to your academic journey in the US, be sure to take note of the following information prior to your arrival.
Being well-prepared allows you to focus on the exciting opportunities ahead once you make it to campus. By attending to important details and taking the right steps, you’ll be ready to immerse yourself in the vibrant and creative community that defines CalArts.
After receiving the immigration document for the type of student visa you need for attendance (I-20, DS-2019, M), you will need to pay the SEVIS fee (I-901 fee) and apply for the visa at a U.S. Embassy.
If you have a valid student visa in your passport that has at least 1 year remaining before expiration, in the same category you plan to attend CalArts (F-1, J-1, M), you don’t need to apply for a new visa. We will assist you with a transfer of that visa from another school if needed. Please monitor each embassy/consulate ‘s operations in your country for hours of operation.
Read more about visas here.
STEM OPT designated fields of study at CalArts
It is extremely important that you be prepared to meet expenses for “off-campus” residence throughout your study at CalArts. If you are currently receiving financial aid (scholarship) from CalArts, please be aware that the renewal is dependent upon your academic standing and the financial aid amount will not increase for your second year and beyond.
You will be required to satisfy the visa-issuing officer at the U.S. Consulate that you will at least have enough money available for you to cover the expenses estimated on the immigration form (I-20, DS-2019). You should make sure that additional funds will be available to you should you need them.
YOU MAY NOT COUNT ON EMPLOYMENT IN THE U.S. AS PROOF OF ABILITY TO PAY AT THE U.S. EMBASSY VISA APPOINTMENT. Non-immigrant international students are prohibited from working off-campus while enrolled in school (except for certain extreme circumstances). Permission to be employed from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is never granted to students who have been in the U.S. for fewer than 12 months.
The immunization form will be available from your application portal.
Read more about immunization requirements. If you have any questions, please contact healthinsurance@calarts.edu.
All incoming BFA international students are required to complete an online writing and reading comprehension assessment in summer. The result of the assessment, along with the English proficiency test score (TOEFL, etc.), will be used to determine which English courses, if any, will be required in the first year.
Some MFA international students may be required or may opt-in to have an interview to determine the eligibility to take an optional English course for artists at CalArts during the fall semester. You will receive further instruction about the assessment and interview via email. If you have any questions about the assessment or classes please contact ell@calarts.edu
We encourage you to arrange your housing as soon as you can. See more information about on-campus housing. For your convenience, we also share some Housing Resources for International Students, including nearby apartments, hotels, homestay programs, and more that students often use, although they are not affiliated with or managed by CalArts.
You can arrive in the U.S. up to 30 days before your program start date as listed on your immigration document (I-20, DS-2019), however you will have to make your own accommodations if you are moving on-campus, and you arrive prior to the move-in date. Housing will notify all students of the posted on-campus move in date.
CalArts does not provide airport pick-up services, as our students arrive at different airports in the Los Angeles Metropolitan area. We will provide more details about arriving at each airport during the Pre-Arrival Webinar.
The closest airports are:
Before departing to the U.S., please make sure to pack your I-20 form, passport/visa, and acceptance letter in your carry-on bag. The I-20 form is an important document. You must travel and present the I-20 form with your passport and visa at the port of entry in the U.S. Do not pack your I-20 form with your baggage that will be checked in at the airport. You will experience delays at the port of entry if you are not able to present your I-20 with your passport and visa.
All tuition and fees paid to CalArts must be in U.S. dollars. If you are expecting to receive funds from home while at CalArts, you should make sure that all necessary arrangements have been made for the transfer of these funds before you depart for the U.S.
Read more about how to pay your tuition.
The Registrar and Accounting Offices will send registration and payment instructions to your CalArts email. Please read this material very carefully.
Generally, new students meet with advisors and complete their course registration as part of orientation.
International students are automatically enrolled in the CalArts Health Insurance Plan. Student health insurance coverage is purchased through the school for a fee and will be automatically charged to your tuition statement. In rare circumstances, a student many be exempt from enrolling in the CalArts Health Insurance during the course registration process. CalArts Health Insurance does not cover dental or vision care. You should purchase dental and vision insurance on your own.
Read more about Health Insurance at CalArts.
All new international students are required to complete the CalArts online orientation courses, and attend the International Student orientation on-campus before the start of the term. A detailed orientation schedule will be provided as it gets closer. The on-campus orientation will occur during the CalArts new student orientation, and a day/time will be sent to you.
CalArts will send you information and instructions to access the online canvas orientation modules. These will be released for Fall admits in early July (or early November for Spring admits) Topics include:
At the required SEVIS on-campus check-in you will need digital copies of your visa, signed immigration document (I-20 or DS-2019) and I-94, as well as your current U.S. physical address & phone number to complete check-in as a new student.
Email: intlprograms@calarts.edu
Phone number: 661-291-3418
Room number: F207