First-Time International Student Admissions Application

To complete your application, you'll need to create an account in our online system. You can start your application today and finish it in the future.

When you log in for the first time:

1. Select "Start a new application."
2. On the next screen, select "F-1 International." From there, you can create your account and start your application. Follow these instructions if you need extra help.

Start Your Application

After you submit your application, you'll receive an email with your conditional acceptance letter. You won't be officially admitted to HCC until after you submit your additional required materials, which include:

1. SEVIS Form I-20 Application. If you have more than one dependent who is joining you in the U.S., you will need to submit an additional page for each of them.
2. A copy of your passport (biometric page only). If you plan to bring your dependents on F-2 status, add copies of their passports as well as marriage and birth certificates.
3. Your financial documentation. The documents you need to submit will depend on your situation. Learn more about the required financial documents. LINK TBD
4. Your $75 non-refundable application fee. You can pay the fee online using a credit card or funds transfer from your local bank (via Flywire). LINK TBD

You can submit and complete these items in the student system under your F-1 Student Checklist. Follow this tutorial for more detailed instructions. LINK TBD

Access the Student System

Once we receive all of your documents, it will take about 10 days to process your SEVIS Form I-20. This time will vary depending on when you submitted your application. When you are officially accepted to Houston City College, you'll receive your I-20 form and your official acceptance letter (with specific instructions) in your email.

To receive approval to enter the United States, you must pay a fee and obtain your visa through the U.S. government. HCC cannot assist you with these steps.

1. Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee using the information on your I-20. (Dependent applicants do not pay this fee.)
   
   1. Houston City College's school code is HOU 214F 00354 000.
   2. Print your receipt to present during your visa interview and when you enter the U.S.
   3. If you are from Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, or Gambia, you must pay by money order, Western Union Quick Pay or certified check drawn from a U.S. bank.
   4. If you are from any other country, you have the option to pay with a credit card online.
   5. For help with paying your SEVIS I-901 fee, call the SEVP Response Center at 703-603-3400.
2. Apply for your F-1 visa through your country's U.S. embassy or consulate.
   
   1. If you are denied an F-1 visa on your first attempt, you can reapply with your U.S. embassy/consulate. If you will be unable to enter the U.S. by the program start date listed on your I-20, you can defer your attendance to receive an I-20 for the next semester.
   2. If you are a citizen of Canada or Bermuda, you are not required to apply for an F-1 visa.
3. Once you have received your visa, you can enter the United States. When you come to the U.S., you must have this documentation ready to present at the border:
   1. Original SEVIS Form I-20 — With a valid Program Start Date and signed by the Designated School Official/International Student Advisor (DSO/ISA)
   2. Passport — Must be valid for at least six months after the date of your entry.
   3. F-1 Visa — Must be valid and designated for attendance at HCC.
   4. Proof of Financial Support — Information showing proof of necessary funds to cover tuition and living expenses.
   5. I-901 Fee Payment Receipt — Validating that the I-901 payment was submitted.

After you have successfully entered the U.S. on your F-1 visa, you must immediately check in with the HCC Office of International Student Services.

You will need to provide:

• Your HCC ID number
• A current local U.S. address
• A U.S. phone number
• Emergency contact information
• PDF copies of the following documents:
  1. Form I-20 for yourself and all dependents on an F-2 visa
  2. Passport (photo page) for yourself and all dependents on an F-2 visa
  3. F-1 Visa page for yourself and all dependents on an F-2 visa
     1. Citizens of Canada and Bermuda will need to provide a copy of the passport entry stamp indicating your F-1;D/S status.
  4. I-94 form for yourself and all dependents on an F-2 visa
     1. Visit the I-94 website and click on "Get most recent I-94." Follow the instructions to download the I-94. 
     2. If you cannot retrieve your most recent I-94, or if you receive an error that your I-94 was “Not Found,” or if your I-94 record has an error, then you must Retrieving I-94 Document to have the document corrected.
  5. Proof of online payment for the $50 non-refundable orientation fee.
  6. Proof of payment for your SEVIS I-901 fee.