Please visit USC’s Office of International Services website at ois.usc.edu/new-students/ to obtain information for new international students, visa procedures and other travel guidelines.
Pre-Arrival
- Submit Your Statement of Intent and Commitment Deposit
Submit your Statement of Intent and non-refundable Commitment Deposit via your youSC portal by the deadline indicated on your acceptance letter. Please view this video for detailed instructions on this process. If your commitment is not received by this date, your application will be withdrawn. If you choose to decline the offer of admission, please do so via your youSC portal.
- Apply for Financial Aid (if applicable)
Learn about financial aid opportunities and procedures for on the Office of Financial Aid website.
- Register for Your USC NetlD
Register for your USC Net ID – your official USC username and password needed for your USC email and class registration. You will be able to activate your NetlD within one to two business days after you submit your Statement of Intent form online.
- Apply for Graduate Housing (if applicable)
Apply for USC Graduate Housing that is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Submit Your Financial Document (s) and Passport Copies
Students who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents must have an appropriate visa in order to study at USC. If you plan to apply for an F-1 or J-1 visa, you must submit proof of adequate financial support and a copy of your passport. You must also submit passport copies for your dependents if they will be traveling with you to USC during your study period.
Obtaining an I-20 from USC is entirely a post-–admission process. USC does not require any I-20 documents while your application for admission is under review. Documents such as a passport copy or financial statement are required only after a student has been admitted to the university and they have also submitted a Statement of Intent committing to attend USC.
You will be required to log in with your USC Net ID, (If you have just obtained your NetID, please wait one more day before attempting to log in). To learn more about our costs, financial document submission guidelines and immigration procedures, please click here. It is possible that you do not need an F-1 or J-1 visa to attend USC. Please click here to determine if you are exempt from these visa categories. You can view the USC Trojan International Checklist here.
- Complete Class Registration
You will receive detailed class registration instructions from your division and should register for classes soon after instructions are received. You must register for classes by the deadline given to you by your division. Failure to register for classes by the deadline given will cause your spot in the program to be forfeited.
- Sign Up for USC Graduate Orientation
Sign up for Graduate Orientation once you receive a welcome email from the USC Office of Orientation Programs.
- Review Computing Requirements
You may be required to have a SCA approved laptop during your time at school and can find requirements online.
- Complete Health Center Requirements
Complete all the health requirements and steps as mandated by the USC Engemann Student Health Center.
- Apply for Your Visa
Unless you are transferring to USC from another U.S. institution, you must use your USC I-20 to apply for an F-1 visa. The office of Graduate Admission will issue your initial I-20. Please review information for new international students on the Office of International Services website.
Post-Arrival
- Complete Immigration Status Verification (ISV)
All international students must complete Immigration Status Verification with the Office of International Services in August to verify your immigration status. ISV is required in order to register for classes. Learn more about ISV online.
- Register for the ISE (if applicable)
If your official admission letter from the Office of Graduate Admission indicates that you have a requirement to take the International Student English (ISE) exam, contact the American Language Institute to register.
- Receive USCard
Find information about obtaining your USCard from USCard Services.
- Pay Tuition and Fees
After class registration, you will receive an email that your first-semester bill is due. You may view information about your student account and payment options on the Student Financial Services website.
- Complete Degree Verification (if applicable)
Students who have a continuing registration requirement to complete pending degree verification must satisfy this requirement with the Office of Degree Progress by the end of their first semester in order to register for classes the following semester. Learn more about how to satisfy the requirement on the Degree Progress website.
- Attend the School of Cinematic Arts Graduate Welcome Event (Fall Event)
Attend the mandatory SCA Graduate Welcome Event and Safety Seminar prior to the start of the semester.You will receive detailed information about the event from SCA's Office of Student Affairs.