Immigration

Once you become a Fresno State student, please be vigilant in checking the International Office Online Adviser in the Canvas portal as well as each of your email accounts on a weekly basis. We will post announcements to update you with any changes or other requirements. 

Please also visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) website for travel tips.

As an international student in the United States, you must be aware of and abide by the U.S. immigration regulations that govern your stay here. If you are aware of the requirements and maintain your legal status, you should have few, if any problems.

The following are guidelines and suggestions to help you remain "in status" with Immigration while studying in the United States. California State University, Fresno’s International Office will assist you in your dealings with the U.S. immigration service (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services [USCIS] in the Department of Homeland Security.)  We strongly advise you to consult with the International Office before making any decision that might impact your student status in the U.S. The website for USCIS is http://www.uscis.gov.

We also suggest that you do not rely on the advice or experience of your friends when it comes to immigration issues; each situation is different. What was true for a friend may not be true in your case. The best advice is to ask the International Office first; if we do not know the answer, we will help you find it.

In the past two years, there have been a number of very significant changes to U.S. immigration regulations and procedures. Most applicants for non-immigrant visas are now required to have a personal interview, and as a result, it can take longer to get a visa.  As of August 1, 2003, all persons in F status are included in the U.S. government’s Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), and all visa documents are issued through SEVIS. 

A comprehensive list of answers to frequently asked SEVIS questions has been posted online at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) website (http://www.ice.gov ) and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) website (http://www.cbp.gov).

Common Scams - Please visit the following link for information from USCIS about scams targeting international students: https://www.uscis.gov/avoid-scams/common-scams 

The information contained in this website is provided as a service to the international students, faculty, staff, employees, and administrators of Fresno State, and does not constitute legal advice on any immigration, tax, or other matter. We try to provide useful information, but we make no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to this web site or any associated site. As legal advice must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case, and laws are constantly changing, nothing provided herein should be used as a substitute for the advice of competent counsel. Neither Fresno State nor the International Office is responsible for any errors or omissions contained in this website, or for the results obtained from the use of this information.