International Student Admission Steps
International students are those who are attending college in the US on an F-1 visa. International students are a very important part of the growing college community.
Not an International Student?
If you are not an international student, then you may need to follow different steps. Find out what type of student you are and get the correct steps for you!
Apply to a Los Rios College
Create an OpenCCC account using a personal email (or log in if you already have an account) and fill out the online application for any of the Los Rios colleges.
You do not need a social security number (SSN) to complete the application. After you submit the online application, contact your college's International Student Center (they will help process your application):
After you submit this application, save or print your confirmation page. You will need a copy of the confirmation page to submit with your international student application packet.
High School Seniors
If your high school completion date is before June and you are applying for the summer or fall semester, then enter the information on your application as if you have already graduated. Please note the “as of” dates outlined throughout the application.
Submit Additional Required Documents
The Los Rios colleges have SEVP certification, which allows them to issue Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status Form I-20. International students can use Form I-20 to apply for an F-1 visa to enter the US.
Application Documents
The application documents and instructions are specific to each Los Rios college. Use the following links to find international student application information for each college:
Application Deadlines
Submit all required documents together by the following deadlines. We will not review incomplete applications.
Applicants Outside of the US (Applicants Who Will Need to Apply for F-1 Visa)
- Fall semester: May 1
- Spring semester: November 1
Transfer Applicants in the US (Applicants in the US With a Valid F-1 Status)
- Fall semester: June 1
- Spring semester: November 15
Set Up eServices and Los Rios Gmail
eServices is Los Rios' online student portal where students manage their information, records, classes, and more.
After your initial application is processed, you will receive an official international student admission letter from the International Student Center that contains your Los Rios student ID number (also known as a "W" number or "wID"). This is a seven-digit number with a preceding "W"; for example, W0000001.
You will use your Los Rios ID and password to log in to multiple services, including Canvas, eServices, Los Rios Gmail, and instructional lab computers.
Apply for an F-1 Visa
After you receive your Form I-20, apply for an F-1 visa.
- Pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee.
- Schedule an interview appointment with the US Embassy or Consulate. Visit the US Embassy website to find a US Embassy or Consulate near you.
- Bring your Form I-20, Letter of Acceptance from a single Los Rios College, and I-901 receipt to your interview with the US Embassy or Consulate, along with any other documents they request.
You can enter the United States with your I-20 and F-1 Visa 30 days prior to the start date on your I-20. The exact date is listed on your I-20.
Proceed to Enrollment Steps
As soon as you have completed these steps and received official admission confirmation, you may proceed to the International Student Enrollment Steps to learn how to enroll in your classes.
Email Steps
Get Help
Students must use a personal email, not a high school email, to complete their application. Free email accounts are available from many sources:
Note: While all of the providers listed above have millions of users and are widely trusted to be reliable and secure, OpenCCC and the CCC Chancellor's Office do not endorse any particular email providers, and will have no liability should any issues arise with a particular email provider.
You only need to submit one CCCApply application to take classes at any college in the Los Rios district – don't spend unnecessary time submitting separate applications for each college.
After your application is processed, we will email you a student ID number and instructions for next steps.
Students who have created a CCCApply account must log in using the account they created; they should not create a new account. Students who forgot their username/password can use the "Forgot" icon on the CCCApply site.
Students who use this function and still cannot find their username/password can call the OpenCCC helpline. If they don’t have their username or password and aren’t able to answer security questions to retrieve that information, then the student will have to contact CCCApply directly.
Los Rios Community College District does not have access to CCCApply account information.
International students must meet certain requirements to maintain their student status. Visit your college's International Student Office to learn more.