Newly Admitted International Students

Pre-Arrival

After you receive your TMCC I-20 and official acceptance letter, follow these steps:

1. Pay the SEVIS Fee (I-901 Fee)
   Three business days before going to the U.S. embassy or consulate for your F-1 visa interview, you must pay a $350 SEVIS fee (fee subject to change). This is in addition to the visa application fee.
   • Go to the SEVIS I-901 Fee Processing page to pay the SEVIS fee.
   • You will need a copy of your I-20, a credit card, and a printer to make your payment online.
   • Print the SEVIS fee receipt immediately.
   • Keep the SEVIS fee receipt in a safe place. It will be required as part of the F-1 visa application process.
2. Schedule a Visa Interview
   To schedule an interview for your F-1 visa:
   • Find your local U.S. embassy/consulate by clicking on the region and selecting the country and city. Note: Canadian citizens are exempt from the U.S. visa requirement but still have to pay the SEVIS fee and obtain an I-20.
   • Follow the "visas" link to find the "Non-Immigrant Visa" application instructions.
   • Complete and submit the free DS-160 Visa Application Form online, with a digital photo. You will then be able to print your confirmation page.
   • Pay the $185 visa application fee (fee subject to change) to the U.S. embassy or consulate where you will go for your F-1 visa interview.
3. Gather the Necessary Documents in Preparation for Your F-1 Visa Interview
   Document requirements are different in each country, so be sure to check the U.S. embassy/consulate’s requirements where you are applying for your F-1 visa.
   Typical documentation includes:
   • I-20 immigration document issued by TMCC
   • SEVIS fee receipt
   • Visa and processing fee – paid to the U.S. embassy or consulate
   • Passport photos
   • Valid passport – should be valid for 6 months into the future
   • Completed visa application form (DS-160)
   • High school transcripts, in English
   • Proof of English proficiency requirement, if available.
   • Documents that can prove your reasons to return to your home country or other country outside the U.S., if available.
   • Financial statement(s): originals to show and photocopies to submit. Examples of acceptable financial documents:
     • Bank statements
     • Certificates of deposit
     • Earnings statements
     • Tax records
     • Proof of sponsorship from a corporation or other organization
4. Be Well-Prepared for Your F-1 Visa Interview
   • Have a clear plan. Describe why, where, and what you plan to study in the U.S.
   • Focus on your intent to study, not on other interests you may have during your time here. You probably look forward to making friends, spending time with family if you have family here, and working while going to school, but those are not your reasons for applying for an F-1 student visa. Stay focused on your studies at TMCC during the interview.
   • Be prepared to show adequate funding for tuition and living expenses. Follow your U.S. embassy/consulate’s guidelines for acceptable financial documentation. For detailed fee information at TMCC, refer to the International Student Expenses.
   • Explain your intent to return to your home country after you complete your studies in the U.S. Make it personal to your situation and avoid generalizations.
   • Only respond to the questions asked by the Consular Officer. Do not provide unnecessary information.
   • Know what a community college education can give you and why you chose a community college over a four-year college. With a community college degree, you are either completing a transfer degree to continue at the university after two years to save costs, completing a two-year specific degree or a one-year certificate program.
   • Be positive. Maintain a good attitude throughout the interview and do not argue with the Consular Officer. In the case of visa denial, ask for the decision in writing and inquire about supporting documentation that can help your F-1 visa reapplication.

While You Are Waiting for Your Visa Appointment – Next Steps

Check Your TMCC Email Regularly

All official communications from TMCC will go through your TMCC student email. Remember to check your student email account at least once a week.

Pre-Arrival Orientation

To help you get started, the International Student Services team has created an online Pre-Arrival Orientation Course for you. It is filled with a lot of very helpful information about TMCC, the Reno area, navigating the American higher education system, cultural adjustment, understanding your rights and responsibilities as an international student on an F-1 Visa at TMCC, and more making the transition a bit easier for you.

Math and English Placement / ACCUPLACER (Optional)

All new college students at TMCC are required to take Math and English in their first semester/year. All students automatically qualify for placement into the lowest level courses, but students may place into higher courses with qualifying test scores (SAT, ACT, or ACCUPLACER). Many students choose to take the ACCUPLACER, which you may do online through Zoom. To schedule a test, contact Testing Services.

Transfer international students who previously completed Math and English courses may not need to take the ACCUPLACER. Please work directly with an international academic advisor. Remember to submit your official college transcripts and complete the Credit Evaluation for Transfer Students Form as early as possible.

Required Academic Advising

International students will meet with an academic advisor every semester before enrolling in classes. You may schedule an in-person international advising appointment or virtual international advising appointment online or by contacting our office. All appointments are US Pacific Time. Please use your TMCC username and password to schedule the appointment.

Enrolling in Classes

An international academic advisor will help you enroll in classes during your meeting if all of your other enrollment holds have been removed. Remember, you may take the ACCUPLACER to potentially start in higher-level math and English courses, but all students are required to begin with math and English in their first semester.

Classes will fill quickly! Please complete academic advising as soon as possible. Do not wait until you have arrived in Reno. If necessary, you may work with an academic advisor to make changes to your schedule closer to the start of the semester, but initial advising and registration should be completed as early as possible.

Health Insurance

All international students are required to purchase student health insurance or have an approved waiver on file. You may purchase the student health insurance plan online.

Health insurance must be purchased by the deadline outlined by academic advising, otherwise, students will be withdrawn from their classes. If this happens, students will be allowed to re-enroll in classes after health insurance has been purchased. In this case, students are not guaranteed to have the same class schedule. We highly encourage you to purchase your insurance as soon as possible to avoid any problems.

If you already have health insurance of your own and feel like you may qualify for a waiver. Keep in mind that you will need to demonstrate that your current coverage is at least as good, if not better, than the coverage we offer for any waiver to be approved. If not, your request to waive the TMCC health insurance requirement will be denied.

For questions about how to sign up for insurance or how to find a provider, please contact us.

After Your F-1 Visa Interview

• If you are issued an F-1 visa in your passport:
  Congratulations! Contact us immediately to confirm your arrival plans in the U.S.
• If you are denied the F-1 visa:
  Contact us so we can discuss further steps (e.g., reapplying for the F-1 visa, postponing your start date if necessary, etc.). In most cases of visa denials, TMCC can provide you with a visa support letter. To schedule a new interview appointment, U.S. embassies/consulates generally require the F-1 visa applicant to show new proof of eligibility for the F-1 visa. Students must gather new supporting documentation to bring to the new interview.

Arriving in Reno, Nevada

As soon as you receive your F-1 visa, please let us know so that we can plan for your arrival at TMCC.

• F-1 students can arrive 30 days prior to the start date indicated on page 1 of their I-20 immigration document.
• When you enter the U.S., you will need to show the immigration officer the following:
  • Your I-20 immigration document issued by TMCC
  • Your valid passport with a valid F-1 student visa

Reporting to TMCC

After you arrive in Reno, Nevada follow these steps.

1. Mandatory Check-in
   You must check in with International Student Services (in the Diversity and International Student Center Office, Red Mountain Building, room 114), so we can make copies of your documents. Expect to complete forms with your home country address, as well as your Reno, Nevada mailing address/physical address, your telephone number and your email address.
   Bring the following documents:
   • Passport
   • F-1 visa
   • I-20
   • I-797C Notice of Action/SEVIS fee receipt
   • I-94 printout
   • Official transcripts
2. Health Insurance Requirement
   F-1 international students are required to pay for their own health insurance every semester. Contact us for more information.
3. Class Registration and Payment
   Class registration and payment are completed through MyTMCC using your TMCC username and password.
4. Pay Your Fees
   You can pay your fees using a major credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express) or debit card. You will have the option to sign up for a payment plan which divides your tuition fees into three or four equal payments, due on specific dates listed throughout the semester.
   • Questions about payments? Contact the Accounting Services Cashier’s Office.
   • If you need assistance with your username or password and you know your NSHE Student ID number: Visit the online self-service tools.
   • If you do not know your NSHE Student ID number or would like additional registration assistance: Call the Registration Call Center at 775-673-7111 or visit the Welcome Center (located on the first floor of the Red Mountain Building).
5. Attend Orientation
   International Student Orientation is a mandatory one-day event where students learn about:
   • College resources
   • F-1 visa regulations
   • Cultural adjustments
   • Health insurance coverage
   • Student organizations

If you have any concerns or questions about these steps or need additional assistance, please contact us.