Application Process for International Students

An international student is a non-U.S. citizen or non-U.S. immigrant, who has been granted F-1 visa status from the U.S. Department of State (DOS) through a U.S. Consulate based upon the I-20 document (certificate of eligibility for an F-1 visa) issued by Anoka-Ramsey Community College to pursue full-time study at the College.

Permanent residents, refugees and political asylees are not international students and should follow the general admissions process.

This application contains instruction to apply for admission into Anoka-Ramsey Community College; it does not represent the entirety of U.S. immigration law. For additional information pertaining to international applications, please visit: SEVIS-Student Exchange and Visitor Information System

Steps to Becoming an International Student at Anoka-Ramsey

APPLY

Persons pursuing international student status must complete and submit ALL application material by the application deadline: 

Fall Semester:  June 1st

Spring Semester:  October 1st

Transfer international students from within the U.S. must complete the following steps by: 

Fall Semester:  July 1st  

Spring Semester:  November 1st  

1. Print and submit the International Application Form

 along with a $20 non-refundable fee.

    Mail to: International Admissions
                Anoka-Ramsey Community College - Coon Rapids Campus
                11200 Mississippi Blvd NW
                Coon Rapids, MN 55433

2. INCLUDE Academic Requirement

    F-1 students are required to have completed secondary education.  Request official academic 
    records and exam results including secondary school, and any previously attended college/university. 

    Documents in a language other than English must be accompanied by English translations from
    a certified English translation service.  Copies of originals are not accepted.

    Academic records must demonstrate equivalent grades of "C" or better in a minimum of five academic
    subjects within a college preparatory tract. Academic subjects that may be used for this requirement
    include science, math and geography. Vocational preparatory courses, English and theological courses
    may not be used for this requirement.

3. INCLUDE English Proficiency Requirement

    Demonstrate minimum English language proficiency by submitting one of the following:

• TOEFL (Test of English Foreign Language) minimum score of 500 (paper) or 61 (internet). TOEFL testing information is located at www.toefl.org; Anok-Ramsey's TOEFL code is 6024.
• MELAB (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery) score of 75. MELAB testing information is located at http://www.lsa.umich.edu/eli/testing/melab.
• ELS academic level 109 completed.  ELS Educational Services, Inc. information is located at www.els.edu.
• U.S. college transcript showing recent completion of a composition course with a grade of "B" or higher.

4. INCLUDE Financial Requirement

    Submit documentation demonstrating that you have adequate financial support to cover all educational
     and living expenses while you study at Anoka-Ramsey Community College. A notarized, current, original, bank statement showing a balance of at least $14,459.58 in U.S. currencyneeds to be submitted to demonstrate adequate financial support to cover all educational and living expenses while you study at Anoka-Ramsey Community college.

     If you have a sponsor living in the United States, your sponsor must submit
     an Affidavit of Support (I-134) and a notarized, current (not less than 2 months old), original bank statement, in English, showing a balance of at least $16,459.58 in U.S. currency. 

The required amount of $16,459.58 is the amount necessary to fund one academic year of tuition and fees, books, housing, food, transportation, medical insurance and other expenses. Copies of originals are not accepted (retain a second set of financial documents to submit to the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services to obtain your F-1 visa).  

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Transferring Credits from a University Outside the U.S.

Students wishing to transfer credit from a university outside of the U.S. must have their transcript evaluated by an approved academic credentialiing agency. The following companies provide acceptable evaluations for a fee (Order a "Course by Course" evaluation):

• Educational Credential Evaluators PS Box 514070 Milwaukee, WI 553203

              Phone: 414-289-3400 Fax: 414-289-3411 www.ece.org

• World Educational Services PO Box 745 Old Chelsea Station, New York, NY 10113

             Phone: 1-800-937-3895 Fax: 212-739-6100 www.wes.org

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Next Steps: After You are Admitted

It is very important to enter the United States (U.S) with the proper Visa. You must apply for an entry Visa stamp in your passport so that you can enter the U.S. in student status. F and J Entry Visas can only be obtained outside of the U.S. at a U.S. embassy or consulate.

To apply for an entry Visa, follow these steps:

1. Pay the SEVIS fee
    Most new students must pay the SEVIS fee before applying for an entry Visa or entering the U.S. This fee is assessed by
    the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and is not administered by Anoka-Ramsey. For details, visit:
    https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/

2. Locate the Nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate 

• Must be completed in your home country
• Embassy/consulate information is available at: http://travel.state.gov/

3. Schedule an Appointment for Visa Interview 
    Your local embassy or consulate has specific instructions for scheduling an appointment.

• Appointment wait times can be
      several weeks or longer, especially during summer months.
• Schedule your appointment as soon as possible after
      receiving your I-20. Approximate Visa wait times at consular locations can be found at: http://travel.state.gov/

4. Prepare Documents for Your Visa Interview 
    All Visa applicants must provide the following documents to the 
    U.S. embassy or consulate at the time of the interview: 
         Valid passport 
         I-20 document 
         Documented proof of financial support for at least one year 
         Proof of SEVIS Fee payment (receipt) 
         Visa application forms (available from U.S. embassy/consulate) 
         Any other documents requested by your embassy/consulate

5. Practice for Your Visa Interview 
    When applying for a non-immigrant Visa, the U.S. Consular Officer interviewing you will assume that you plan to
    immigrate to the U.S. permanently unless you prove otherwise. During the interview you will need to prove that you will
    only study temporarily in the U.S. and plan to return home after your studies are completed. Answer all questions
    truthfully but only provided information related to the question asked.

• Canadian citizens are eligible to enter the U.S. without obtaining an entry Visa in their passport. However, Canadian citizens must obtain an I-20 and pay the SEVIS fee before entering the U.S.
• Upon U.S. entry the following must presented: passport, I-20, proof of financial support for at least one year and proof of SEVIS fee payment.

Importance of Name Consistency

To avoid problems or delays in obtaining your Visa and entering the U.S., ensure that all immigration documents reflect the same name, exactly as it appears in your passport. Do not use "nicknames" or shortened names on any of your documents, including your passport, I-20, entry visa stamp, I-94 card (completed in the airplane before your arrival) and any additional documents that you acquire after your arrival in the U.S.

Visa Denials

If your Visa is denied, ask the counsular affairs officials to provide you with a written explanation of the denial, then contact Anoka-Ramsey Admissions through email. Address the email to Admissions@anokaramsey.edu and write "Visa Denial" in the subject line. Include your Anoka-Ramsey student ID number and your full name in the email message.

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Visa Transfers: Steps for Transferring your F-1 Visa to Anoka-Rasmey

You are considered a transfer student if you currently hold an F-1 status at another institution in the U.S. and now wish to be degree seeking at Anoka-Ramsey. Your SEVIS record must be transferred to Anoka-Ramsey.

1. Complete Steps 1-4 from Becoming an International Student.

2. Request a Transfer Release form from the International Admissions Office.

Contact Anoka-Ramsey International Admissions through email. Address the email to Admissions@anokaramsey.edu and write "International Transfer Release Form" in the subject line. Include your full name and contact information in the email message.

• Complete section #1 of the release form
• Contact the international student advising office at your current school and inform them of your intent to transfer

Your international student advisor at your current institution must:

• Complete section #2 of the Transfer Release Form
• Mail, fax or email a scanned copy of the transfer Release Form to International Admissions. Directions are located on the form.
• Electronically send your Visa record to Anoka-Ramsey after you finish classes at that school. The Designated School Official(DSO) at the school you transfer from must transfer the Visa record.

NOTE: The Anoka-Ramsey Admissions Office cannot process an I-20 before your Visa record has been transferred to Anoka-Ramsey.