Admitted International Student Checklist

As an admitted student, complete these steps to prepare for your enrollment at Cal State East Bay:

Requirements for All Incoming International Students (before arriving in the US)

  1. Activate your NetID  and set your password. A NetID is your personal Cal State East Bay identification number which gives you access to online student self-service systems like MyCSUEB and your Horizon e-mail.  If you need to reset your password you can do so at  www.csueastbay.edu/netid.   Your NetID was sent to you at the time of application and with your letter of admission. In order to better protect the identity and data of students, CSUEB has implemented multi-factor authentication as an additional security measure, also known on campus as Duo authentication. To enroll your NetID account with Duo, go to  www.csueastbay.edu/Duo  click on the “Enroll in Duo” button.

  2. Check your Horizon E-mail account often for important messages regarding your I-20, academic standing, classes, and fees. It is the student's responsibility to check their Horizon e-mail regularly for official university notices.   See our video How to login to your Horizon email account for quick overview.

  3. After you receive your admission letter and I-20 or DS-2019, pay the I-901  SEVIS fee at I-901 Fee.   In order to get your student visa, you must present proof of your I-901 SEVIS Fee payment at your visa interview, so print a receipt of payment after you have completed your I-901 payment.

  4. Make a visa appointment at a U.S. embassy or consulate to apply for a visa.  (See How to Prepare for your F-1 Visa Interview.)

  5. Accept Admission through your MyCSUEB ( Log in to your MyCSUEB account and select "Accept Admission" from the list of links on the left side of the page)  Once you have accepted the offer, undergraduate students will be prompted to pay a required fee that will be applied towards mandatory orientation (there are no fees for graduate international students).  By accepting your admission, you will be notifying Cal State East Bay of your plans to attend Cal State East Bay thus allowing the school to hold your place in the entering class. 

  6. Submit all MyCSUEB “To Do List” items and Clear Any Holds (MyCSUEB).  View your personal “To Do List” items that need to be completed and submitted through MyCSUEB. If it says “Initiated” under Item Status, it means the document has been requested. You will have a hold on your registration until these documents are submitted. 

  7. For F-1 and J-1 students only: Purchase Medical Insurance. California State University, East Bay requires international students in F-1 or J-1 status to maintain health insurance that meets certain standards. You will need to provide evidence of health insurance before enrolling in classes. For more information, see the International Students Insurance web page and our How to Enroll in Health Insurance video which provides step by step instructions.

  8. Register for Classes:  See How to Register for Classes

    • First-time freshmen undergraduate students may contact the Academic Advisor for Undergraduate International Students Sam Tran (sam.tran@csueastbay.edu) to enroll in classes.

    • Transfer students should check MyCSUEB for an appointment time to find out when to register for classes.  Visit our degree roadmaps for your major to begin reviewing the courses you should consider enrolling in during your first semester.  The majority of undergraduate students have their advisor(s) listed in Bay Advisor. Students who do not know who their major advisor is can email whoismyadvisor@csueastbay.edu. For questions about General Education requirements, contact the Academic Advisor for Undergraduate International Students Sam Tran (sam.tran@csueastbay.edu).

    • Graduate students must contact your academic advisor in your academic department for assistance with permission codes or course selection. Be sure to refer to the University Catalog for a description of courses before you email or call your academic advisor. Be prepared to discuss any questions you might have regarding your academic program with your academic advisor.

  9. Plan and book your international travel to arrive in time to attend an orientation. Attending orientation is important for all new international students.  (NOTE:  For F-1 students the earliest date you can arrive to the U.S. is 30 days prior to the program start date listed in the section titled "Program of Study" on page #1 of your CSUEB I-20.  The last date that you can enter the U.S. is on the program start date listed in the section titled "Program of study on page #1 of your CSUEB I-20.)  Refer to our suggested packing list for tips on what to bring and which items to have in your carry on bags.

  10. Check transportation options to get to CSUEB from area airports (see Arrival Information for Admitted Students). If you would like an airport pickup, you may request one: Airport Pickup Form  

  11. Get any required immunizations and upload your proof of immunization information here once you have accepted your offer of admission (Step 5 above) and received the email invitation to your horizon email account from COMPLIO.

  12. Make your Living Arrangements.   Research your housing options early to secure living accommodations in the U.S.   Students may apply to live in On-Campus Housing or may choose to live Off-Campus.  If you aren't able to confirm your permanent housing before arriving in the U.S., arrange for temporary accommodations.

See new student checklist for additional requirements for International Students to do upon arrival in the U.S.