Student Services for the EMBA-Global Program

US Visa Information

Students enrolled in full-time programs at U.S. institutions must be in an immigration status that permits this activity. Although you will only be in the U.S. intermittently for the EMBA-Global Program, it is defined by Columbia University as a full-time program of study. You continue to be considered a full-time matriculated student at Columbia even during the period of time you spend at London Business School. U.S. immigration regulations do NOT allow individuals in B-1/B-2 status (visitors for business or pleasure), nor individuals who enter the U.S. as temporary visitors for 90 days or less under the visa waiver program, to engage in studies.

If you are already residing in the U.S. as a permanent resident or under an employment-based non-immigrant status such as H-1B, you may enroll in the EMBA-Global Program and attend classes incident to that status. If you reside outside the U.S. and will need to come to New York to participate in the Columbia portion of the EMBA-Global Program, you must apply for and obtain an F-1 student visa.

The International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) at Columbia University is the office that is charged with the supervision of the non-immigrant status of the University's international students, faculty, researchers and scholars. You are required to apply for form I-20, the "Certificate of Eligibility for Non-immigrant F-1 Student Status" from the ISSO. Processing the I-20 normally takes the ISSO a maximum of 10-15 days. The application for an I-20 is an online form accompanied by faxed supporting documents that include copies of your letter of admission and passport ID page and evidence of your ability to meet the expenses of the program.

The I-20 is necessary for your application for an F-1 entry visa from a U.S. consulate.  Note that an F-1 entry visa can be issued as early as 120 days in advance of the program start date on the I-20, which will be in June for the EMBA-Global program. Apply for an I-20 as soon as possible after admission to the program to allow time to receive the I-20 and make an appointment for a visa interview at a U.S. consulate. Note: you will need to get a signature on your I-20 from a designated ISSO official when you visit campus for the first time. The administration will help arrange this. After the first year of study in the EMBA-Global Program, you will need to get your I-20 signed a second time if you plan to reenter the U.S. to take electives.

Students on F-1 visas must be registered full-time, or for 12 or more credits, in order to maintain their visa status. However, after the completion of two full-time terms, F-1 visa holders are eligible for a vacation term, or one term in which they are registered less than full-time (for fewer than 12 credits). Please consult Shoshana Sicks if you are on an F-1 visa and plan to register for fewer than 12 credits.

If you require further information about applying for an F-1 visa or maintaining your F-1 status, please contact the Columbia University International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO).

Spacer
Add a new