International Students

Located on California’s Central Coast amidst breathtaking natural beauty and cultural splendor, CSUMB boasts a spacious 1,365-acre campus. The Monterey Bay region has a rich history of multicultural diversity. Significant populations of immigrants from China, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, the Philippines, Portugal, Spain and Vietnam have greatly enhanced our local heritage. Citizens from virtually every country have visited Monterey to take advantage of the incredible resources of the "language learning capital" of the world. Enticed by the beauty of the Pacific Ocean and the surrounding mountains and valleys, many international visitors have chosen to stay. All of this adds up to making CSU Monterey Bay a comfortable place for students from around the world to learn.

Who is an International Student?

An international student is one who is studying at a U.S. institution on a non-immigrant visa. Most international students admitted to CSUMB obtain an F-1 visa. However, it is possible to enter on other nonimmigrant visas.

Students with valid visas and associated documents who are studying at other U.S. institutions and are currently in approved legal status can transfer to CSUMB without applying for a new visa. Please see admission requirements for transfer students.

As an international student, why should I attend CSUMB?

We have made a deep commitment to honoring and preserving our region’s diversity in our campus community and in our academic programs. The presence of international students on our campus is highly valued. We feel that the global perspectives provided by learners from other lands enhance the educational experience for all. CSUMB’s small student-to-faculty ratio provides for individualized learning with opportunities for community involvement and applied projects. This personalized, hands-on approach is perfect for international students who might need special opportunities to bridge inevitable language and culture gaps.

What academic programs do you offer?

We currently offer 13 undergraduate majors , 4 teaching credential programs , and 4 graduate degree programs. Most of these programs are broadly interdisciplinary and allow a variety of specific areas of emphasis. Thus, virtually every field of study is available to you.

• Application
  
  
  • Application and Required Document Checklist
    
    
  • How to Apply
    
    
  • International Student Admission Requirements
    
    
  • California Residency
    
    
• Expenses
  
  
  • Summary of all Expenses
    
    
• Housing Options
  
  
• Jobs & Financial Aid
  
  
  • Financial Loans or Scholarships
    
    
  • On Campus Jobs
    
    
• Immigration Requirements
  
  
  • F1 Visa Students
    
    
  • SEVIS
    
    
  • Important Visa and Travel Information
    
    
  • Immigration Links
    
    
• Travel
  
  
  • Travel Checklist for International Students in F Status
    
    
  • Important Travel Information
    
    
  • Applying for an F1 Visa
    
    
• Online Resources
  
  
  • Essential Links
    
    
  • U.S. Government Websites
    
    
  • Other Useful Resources
    
    
• Emergency Procedures
  
  
  • Emergency Evacuation Tips For Foreign Students
    
    
  • Other Emergency Resources

For more information explore the International Students section of this site by clicking on the links in the blue navigation bar at the top of this page or see:

Common Questions International Students Ask

*Various information in this section provided courtesy of SFSU and SJSU.