In order for international students to study at USC, they need to have a valid non-immigrant visa. Most international students admitted to USC obtain F-1 or J-1 visas. However, it is possible to study in the United States with certain dependent visa categories. The Student Exchange Visitors Programs (SEVP) provides information on which non-immigrant visa types are able to participate in part-time or full-time studies in the U.S.
F-1 & J-1 Student Visas
If the primary purpose of a person’s visit to the U.S. is to study, then they should apply for a student visa.
The F-1 visa is the most common student visa and is issued to full-time students enrolled in an academic or language program at an U.S. institution. In order to apply for the F-1 visa, students must have received their I-20 from the USC Graduate and International Admissions Office (GIA). The I-20 is a three-page form with a USC official's signature on page 1 and 3. Please email I-20 issuance questions to the GIA office.
The J-1 visa is an exchange visitor visa issued to students at all academic levels (although technically it is not considered to be a student visa). Trainees needing on-the-job training, teachers of primary, secondary, and specialized education, physicians and medical researchers, professors, and research scholars among others are eligible for the J-1. In order to apply for the J-1 student visa, students must have received the DS-2019 form from the GIA office. The DS-2019 is a two-page form with a USC official's signature on page 1. Please email DS-2019 issuance questions to the GIA office.