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International Students

The Extension School welcomes international students from abroad and those living in the Cambridge and Boston area, as well as students who take distance education courses while remaining in their home countries. Last year, international students accounted for 17 percent of the total student enrollment and represented 111 countries. The quality of the educational experience at the Extension School is enhanced each year by a student population that includes students of different nationalities and cultures.

English Proficiency

Students whose primary language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in order to register for all courses except those in the Institute for English Language Programs. Students must certify their English proficiency if they apply to a degree, certificate, or diploma program or if they register for most courses in accounting, communication in business, creative writing, expository writing, finance, information systems management, journalism, management and operations, marketing, and organizational behavior and human resources. See English Proficiency for more information.

Visas

The F-1 student visa is the appropriate visa category for individuals whose primary reason for being in the United States is to study in a full-time program at an American institution. The Harvard Extension School issues I-20 certificates for F-1 student visas only to full-time candidates for the Master of Liberal Arts in Environmental Management, the Master of Liberal Arts in Information Technology, the Master of Liberal Arts in Journalism, the Certificate in Management, the Certificate in Applied Sciences, the Certificate in Environmental Management, the Certificate in Publishing and Communications, and the Diploma in English for Graduate and Professional Studies.

International students who are not applying to any of the above programs and are considering study at the Harvard Extension School must ensure they have visas that enable them to remain in the United States for the duration of their studies. Tourist visas are inappropriate for full-tome study, and recent regulations preclude a person from enrolling while in this status. Tourist visas are not extended for study purposes. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) does not allow people currently in the United States on a tourist visa to change to a student visa except in very limited circumstances. For these reasons, it is necessary that individuals intending to study full time enter the United States in F-1 status.

Eligibility for an I-20. International students who are considering applying to the programs listed above should be sure they are eligible to use an I-20 before they request it. Students eligible for an I-20 are:

Individuals in the above categories must pursue a full-time course of study. Harvard Extension School requires enrollment in four courses each semester to maintain full-time status; students should not request I-20 certificates without intending to remain fully enrolled each semester.

International students who are considering requesting an I-20 should be aware that US universities are required to report certain information to USCIS about individuals who are issued I-20 certificates for F-1 visa status. Students should not request I-20 certificates unless they are eligible to use them as outlined above.

Applying for an I-20. International students who are eligible to use an I-20 certificate and who wish to request an I-20 for the F-1 student visa must follow the application procedures of the program to which they are applying and submit the following with their program application materials:

If a bank letter is used as proof of deposit, the letter must be in English, on bank letterhead, and it must state the amount of deposit in US dollars. Any letter that does not meet these requirements cannot be used as proof of deposit. Any delay that results from inadequate proof of deposit could jeopardize a student's eligibility for an I-20 certificate.

All of these materials must be received in the appropriate program office by July 22 for fall and by December 2 for spring. Applicants are encouraged to submit the required materials well before these deadlines to allow sufficient time to obtain the student visa or change their visa status. The I-20 certificate is issued to applicants only after they are officially admitted and they inform the Extension School in writing of their intent to enroll full time.

Attending School on an F-1 Visa. Once admitted, candidates who have an I-20 issued by the Extension School must meet certain requirements and follow certain guidelines to remain eligible for F-1 student visa status and the benefits of the F-1 visa category. Some of these are listed below:

International Office Check-In. Candidates who are in their first term of study on an I-20 from the Harvard Extension School must check in with the Harvard International Office, then with the Registrar's Office before classes begin or they are withdrawn from their courses. They must check in before 12 noon on Friday, September 16 if their I-20s are issued for the fall and Friday, January 27 if their I-20s are issued for the spring.

Information Sessions. Candidates who are in their first term of study on an I-20 from the Harvard Extension School must attend the Harvard International Office information session held during the first few weeks of each term. Candidates who intend to apply for practical training must also attend an additional meeting. These meetings are held in the Grossman Common Room, 51 Brattle Street. Meeting dates and times are available online and are sent to students who have an I-20 issued by the Extension School.