Step 1: Print your I-20 and Acceptance Letter
Log into International Student Portal to access your I-20 document. Use the log-in information you created for the “Applicant” login.
- If you have already created your Bellevue College student accounts, then you should use the “Current Student” log-in after you have waited 48 hours.
Print your I-20 and acceptance letter. Sign the I-20 and bring it to your visa interview and the U.S.
Step 2: Create your Student Accounts
Open your acceptance email – it will have information you need, such as your ctcLink number.
2.1: Create your ctcLink account:
2.2: Create your student email:
- Go to the NetID site and then click “Create Account.”
2.3: Wait 24-48 hours after creating both accounts, then:
- Log in to the International Student Portal through the “current student log-in” use your Bellevue College email log-in information.
- New Profile Confirmation: This site is ready to create your profile. Do you wish to register on this site with the identity that you have just logged in as?
- Click “No“
- Then click “Submit“
2.4: You can now log-in to:
- International Student Portal (use current student log-in)
- BC email (student email)
- ctcLink (enrollment, tuition payments, etc.)
- Canvas (grades, assignments, etc.)
Plan to live in on-campus housing? Apply as soon as possible with your student account through bellevuecollege.erezlife
Step 3: Download 2 Mobile Apps
- Microsoft Outlook (Microsoft Corporation): Check your Bellevue College email daily for important updates about your visa status, classes, tuition, and grades.
- Canvas Student (Instructure Inc.): Used for all Bellevue College classes, this app lets you communicate with professors, submit assignments, review grades, and more.
Step 4: Meet your International Advisor
Use your Bellevue College email to make an online or in-person appointment. Appointments open up 2-weeks in advance at midnight (PT).
Katie Pappas, Int. Student Advisor Kathryn.Pappas@bellevuecollege.edu
Advising Students in International High School Completion, Intensive English, and Bridge (ELI) programs
Click Here to Make an Appointment with Katie
Aidrien Wilkins, Int. Student Advisor Aidrien.Wilkins@bellevuecollege.edu
Advising College Students with Last Names starting with letter “A, B, M, N, O, P, Q, and R“
Click Here to Make an Appointment with Aidrien
Heather Woods, Int. Student Advisor heather.woods@bellevuecollege.edu
Advising College Students with Last Names starting with letter “C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, and K“ and Fall Quarter IBP Students
Click Here to Make an Appointment with Heather
Angela Leung, Int. Student Advisor Aleung@bellevuecollege.edu
Advising College Students with Last Names starting with letter “L, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, and Z“ and Spring Quarter IBP Students
Click Here to Make an Appointment with Angela
Step 5: Student Visa
You must have a valid passport, F-1 visa, and I-20 to enter the U.S.
- Passport: Issued by your home government. Always keep it valid.
- Student (F-1) Visa: Issued by the U.S. embassy or consulate.
- I-20 form: Issued by our office upon acceptance. See Step 1. to print your I-20 to apply for an F-1 visa.
Visit the Department of Homeland Security – Pay I-901 Fee site to pay the I-901 fee. Print the receipt. If you need help:
- I-901 SEVIS Fee Frequently Asked Questions
- I-901 Customer Support by phone at 1-703-603-3400 in the U.S.
- Email fmjfee.sevis@ice.dhs.gov.
Apply for you F-1 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country. Prepare all required documents.
- Find a US Embassy or Consulate near you at usembassy.gov/.
- Look up visa appointment wait times (click here to view)
- Contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate for the required interview documents
For more information about F-1 visas, visit: studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students
A visa officer will interview you briefly to decide if you are qualified to receive a visa. Click here to view useful tips. on how to prepare for your F-1 Visa interview
Review your visa denial notice. Then contact your IE admissions specialist immediately. Each case is different, but you may try again.
Step 6: Class Enrollment
- You will receive an online placement test from accepted@bellevuecollege.edu 1-2 months before your classes start.
- Complete the required placement test.
- Email accepted@bellevuecollege.edu to confirm you’ve completed the test.
- Our team will review your results and enroll you in your classes.
Try to complete this process before arriving in Bellevue, WA.
- Make an appointment with your advisor online or in-person
- Your International Advisor will tell you which classes to enroll in.
1. Online Placement Testing
Math and English are required parts of degree programming. We recommend you finish the placement testing as soon as you create your student accounts.
English placement: You may have English placement if you submitted exam scores.
| English 93 | English 101 | |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL (IBT) | Overall: 61+, Writing:13+ | Overall: 65+, Writing: 16+ |
| IELTS | Overall: 6.0+, Writing: 5.5+ | Overall: 6.0+, Writing: 6.0+ |
| Duolingo | Overall: 95+, Production: 75+ | Overall: 95+, Production: 85+ |
2. Class Enrollment
Click here for listed instructions on how to enroll in classes. The recording below is from Winter 2025 so dates will be different.
- Review the F-1 Enrollment Guide.
- View degree programs and their planning sheets.
- Enroll in your classes as soon as possible to avoid being waitlisted.
- F-1 regulations require students to enroll in at least 12 credits per quarter, with at least 7 credits from in-person or hybrid classes.
- New college students must enroll in HD 103: International First Year Experience.
Most classes do not require a permission code, and you can skip the “permission code” to enroll when it asks you for the code.
You may need to contact the instructor to get a code when the class has enforced prerequisite(s), requires the department/instructor’s consent, or you are asking to add the class late up to the 5th day of the quarter except in summer.
Many classes get full quickly. You may need to find a different class or add yourself to the waitlist. You may have one waitlisted class per quarter.
- Enroll in at least 12 credits excluding the waitlisted class and pay the tuition and fees in full. In case you do not get into the waitlisted class, you have met the minimum credit requirement as an F-1 student.
- Pay attention to the quarterly enrollment deadlines and know when waitlist stops running every quarter.
- Monitor your waitlist status by checking your ctcLink and emails frequently. Pay the additional tuition and fees immediately if you get into the class.
- Nearly all classes require Instructor permission after the 4th or 5th day of the quarter even if seats are still available.
- Not all instructors approve late enrollment and/or overloading the course. If they do not respond, it normally means “no”.
- Always register for classes on your enrollment appointment date/time. Pay tuition and fees in full to secure seats even if you are still adding classes.
Some college classes require prerequisites before you can enroll in classes.
Returning, transfer, or concurrent students who have already satisfied the prerequisite(s) must submit the transcript to the prerequisite clearance process to waive the requirements. This process may take 3-5 business days so plan accordingly.
If you have attended a college or university in the U.S. or in your home country, please follow the instructions on “How to Transfer Credits to BC”. This process may take up to 8-10 weeks.
You will need to be enrolled in classes before you can submit the request.
Step 7: Class Payment
Quarterly Tuition Due Dates: If you don’t pay your tuition in full by the due date, you will automatically be removed from all your classes.
- Pay online via ctcLink: Follow the “how to pay” instructions to pay your tuition and fees in full using a VISA or MasterCard. You must use the ctcLink “Full Site” when you make an online payment first time.
- If you can get a VISA or MasterCard from your home country, bring one with you.
- Pay in person at Student Financial Services (U-Building):
- VISA or MasterCard
- Personal check
- Cash
- Pay by bank wire: Wire payment is a secure way to pay. Contact your International Advisor for an invoice.
- Bank wires generally take 3-5 business days
- The sender (i.e., you) is responsible for all banking fees.
- Money Bellevue College receives via international wire must be used for educational expenses at Bellevue College only. Leftover will be kept on the student’s account for future tuition.
The pre-payment plan (STEPP) is available for international students through the Student Financial Services office. Call 425-564-2309 or email sfs@bellevuecollege.edu.
The NelNET Tuition Payment Plan is not available for international students.
To set up a bank account in the US a student must have:
- Copy of passport and visa
- I-20 document
- US phone number
- US address
Students under the age of 18 can set up a bank account (checking account only) at Bank of
America without a guardian. The closest Bank of America to campus is at 1444 SE Eastgate Way in Bellevue.
Step 8: Arriving in Bellevue, Washington
Arrive at least 1-day before mandatory orientation: Check the date of orientation by clicking here.
Check the date of orientation by clicking here. Orientation covers F-1 visa rules, academic and enrollment rules, insurance, and more.
Bellevue College International Education does not arrange or secure housing for students. Go to IE’s Housing site to learn more about housing options:
As a condition of participating in the international student program, F-1 visa holders on BC’s I-20 are required to join the Bellevue College-Foundation arranged accident and sickness medical benefit plan every quarter. Read more at IE’s insurance site.
Dental & Vision: Bellevue College-Foundation arranged accident and injury insurance plan does NOT cover dental and vision. Address any dental or vision issues before arriving in Bellevue. Bring extra glasses and/or contact lenses.
Vaccines and Immunizations: Bellevue College does not require vaccinations for most students, except for certain healthcare programs. Consult your physician to ensure you’re up-to-date on common vaccines based on your age.
How to use your cell phone in the U.S.
- eSIM: Buy before you arrive. Check phone compatibility.
- SIM card: Purchase a plan from providers like AT&T, T-Mobile, or Mint Mobile.
- If you don’t have a SIM card upon arrival, use airport WiFi to book transport and contact people.
- Use apps like WhatsApp or Skype for WiFi calling
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is the closest airport to Bellevue College.
Carry-on items for your flight to the U.S.:
- Valid passport
- Valid F-1 visa
- Valid I-20
- Emergency contact information (written or printed)
- Bellevue College contact information and address (written or printed)
- Health items: Glasses, contacts, and medications
Ground Transportation from the SeaTac airport to BC’s main campus: Distance between the Sea-Tac airport and BC’s main campus is 27 km (or 18.6 miles), and typical driving time is 25-minutes.
Airport Pick-Up Service
You can reserve a private airport transfer from SEATAC (SEA) through one of our trusted providers for a flat rate of $100 USD, paid directly to the transfer company. The driver will greet you with a sign displaying your name and take you to your provided address within the Greater Seattle Area.
Contact Information:
- Email: info@seaviewairportservice.com (Satnam Singh)
- WhatsApp/Phone: +1 206 779 3052
When contacting, include:
- Your name
- That you are a Bellevue College student
- Your flight number
- Arrival date and time
- Your phone number
Step 9: Mandatory New Student Check-in
Complete the online new student check-in through the International Student Portal:
- Use your Bellevue College email to login to the International Student Portal “Current Student” log-in
- Start the “New Student Check-in”.
- Upload your I-94, F-1 visa, signed I-20, your local contact information, and your local emergency contact.
- Submit the “New Student Check-in”.
Read the information below:
Please feel free to review our PowerPoint or select the other tabs to read through the information. If you have any questions please reach out to ie@bellevuecolege.edu
Student Visa Basics
Maintain Your Status: After you enter the U.S. on an F-1 visa, you must follow these rules:
- Attend the institution that issued your I-20.
- Enroll full time each quarter
- Intensive English: Minimum of 20-hour credits per quarter. Students must be enrolled in all in-person classes.
- Bridge: 15 credits. Students must be enrolled in all in-person classes.
- College: Minimum of 12-credits with at least 7-credits on-campus courses per quarter. Hybrid classes count as on-campus credits.
- Do not work illegally. Work only with your International Advisor’s approval.
- Keep all immigration documents valid.
- Follow all federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
- Report address updates to your International Advisor within 10-days.
Contact your IE advisor about all other F-1 visa questions.
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Last Updated April 11, 2025