• F-1 visa-seekers must be at least 18 years old at the time of application.
• All non-immigrant visa seekers/holders must provide a clear, readable copy of their valid, current passport.
• Current visa seekers should also provide a copy of their valid visa.

International students who wish to attend RCTC must meet the English language proficiency requirements. Any of the below options are permissible:

• Attend and graduate from an accredited United States (U.S.) secondary or post-secondary institution, such as a U.S. high school, college, or university.
• Satisfactorily complete college-level English coursework at an accredited U.S. post-secondary institution.
• Complete a U.S. ESL school program completion with level 8 or higher.
• Take and achieve a passing score on the following approved English proficiency tests. English proficiency test scores must be taken in the past three (3) calendar years. All scores must be official and sent from the organization.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL):

• The minimum TOEFL iBT score required for admission to RCTC is 65, with no subsection score under 16.

RCTC’s school code for TOEFL is 6610. Your TOEFL results must be sent directly from the TOEFL/ETS to RCTC.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam:

• The minimum IELTS score required for admission to RCTC is 5.5.

Duolingo English Test:

• The minimum Duolingo English Test score required for admission to RCTC is 100, with no subsection score under 85.

All non-immigrant visa students must submit a high school (secondary) school transcript in the English language with date of graduation clearly visible. Diplomas are not accepted as proof of completion.

• Non-immigrant applicants must provide official transcripts from any college or university attended, even if they withdrew from courses.
• International Credit Evaluations - RCTC requires transcripts outside the U.S. to have a course-by-course evaluation (and translation when necessary) by a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member such as:
  • World Education Services (WES)
  • Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)

The International Student F-1 Visa Transfer Authorization Form must be completed if transferring from another U.S. college or university.

If you are approved for transfer, you will need to have the International Admissions Office at your initial school will “release” your SEVIS record from that institution. After being released by the initial institution, RCTC can create your new I-20.

Non-immigrant visa holders or seekers must prove they can finance the entire cost of attendance for one(1) academic year at Rochester Community and Technical College. This funding includes tuition, fees, supplies, housing, transportation, food, required medical insurance, etc. RCTC does not offer campus-based housing.

The Affidavit of Financial Support form has two pages that must be completed in full.

• Page 1 must be completed by the student.
• If the student has a sponsor, page 2 must be completed by the sponsor.

A bank statement must be accompanied with the affidavit of financial support. The bank statement must demonstrate liquid funds and be less than three months old. Statements from retirement accounts, such as IRAs or 401(K)s, will not be accepted.

This statement can be an account summary, or letter from the bank. The following information must be available on the statement or bank letter:

• Name of Account Holder
• Date
• Currency
• Type of Account
• Account Balance

If the bank account is in the name of a business, you must also provide a letter on the business’s letterhead indicating that you will have access to the funds demonstrated on the statement provided.

RCTC reserves the right to request additional bank documentation if further verification of your bank statement is required. All items must be emailed to onestop@rctc.edu.

• Visit https://www.fmjfee.com/ and have your I-20 available to fill in the required fields.
• If you aren’t sure how to pay your I-901 fee, visit https://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901 for more information.
• This fee is payable directly to the US Government. RCTC will not accept any SEVIS payments.

• Visit the U.S. Embassy or Consulate website in your location and follow their specific process to apply for a visa and schedule an interview.
• RCTC cannot provide any information or “tips” regarding your visa appointment, but https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/2018/08/students-prepare-your-visa-interview offers some helpful instructions.
• Remember, a visa approval does not guarantee entry into the United States. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers have authority to permit or deny admission into the U.S.

• Before you make travel plans, check your admission papers to be sure of the expected arrival date. The arrival date is the date that you will be expected to be on campus for orientation, so be sure to arrange travel plans which enable you to be at RCTC by the date noted on your I-20. Students may not arrive in the United States more than thirty (30) days before the start date listed on their I-20.
• Students are responsible for finding housing arrangements. RCTC does not offer campus-based housing or arrange housing. RCTC has a small list of housing options, but RCTC does not endorse any property listed. https://www.rctc.edu/services/housing/
• Student passports must be valid at time of travel.

• Once students arrive to the United States, they will need to report to RCTC’s Welcome and One Stop Center within 10 days of arrival. Please coordinate an appointment time with Alicia Zeone to complete the following tasks:
  • Provide US mailing address
  • Provide copy of I-94 travel document/record
  • Complete course placement testing
  • Make advising appointment to register for classes
• Once course registration is complete, students will be required to purchase health insurance through United Healthcare. Insurance forms will be available in late August each academic year and must be completed and turned into Alicia Zeone. Insurance charges will be added to your student account.

• Frequently Asked Questions
• International Student Requirements Checklist
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website
  • Immigration forms and fee information
• U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement website