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At the Office of International Student Services (OISS), we provide services to meet the diverse needs of the La Sierra University international student community. The office offers programs which foster global perspectives, intercultural awareness, and international goodwill.
We work with students on immigration requirements to ensure safe and legal status in the United States. This Office also hosts a helpful and mandatory orientation for all new international students before classes beginning of each quarter as well as workshops throughout the year.
Advisors Faculty & Staff
- All international student need to be full-time (Undergraduate: 12 units, ESL: 12 units, Music Performance Certificate: 9 units, Graduates, EAD, EDD, PhD: refer to your Academic Bulletin)
- Reasons for Reduced Course Load (new term for Under-Enrollment) include: illness or medical condition, initial improper course level, initial difficulty with reading requirements, initial difficulty with English language, initial unfamiliarity with American teaching, last quarter
- Reduced Courseload must be confirmed by academic advisor
- Students can only be approved for Reduced Courseload for only one quarter per academic level
- Students with verifiable reasons can qualify for up to 12 months
Employing F-1 an Student
Employing an international student to work in your department is a very rewarding experience. International students bring a vast array of talents and cultural differences that will only benefit your department and add to the rich diversity of the University.
Because of government regulations, international students do have certain work limitations. Here is a brief summa
- International students can only work on-campus (i.e., ONLY at La Sierra University if they are our students)
- International students can only work up to 20 hours a week while classes are in session and up to 40 hours a week during official university breaks
- International students are allowed to do paid internships and co/ops outside of the university if the the correct paperwork has been processed BEFORE the internship begins. This is called Curricular Practical Training (CPT). NOTE: there are restrictions and not all international students qualify for CPT
- International students who have applied for and have been granted Post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) are allowed to work full-time in a field related to their major for 12 months after they complete their studies
- If you would like to hire an international student, please contact either the OISS or the Office of Human Resources
- If you are experiencing difficulties with cultural issues with your international student worker and would like help addressing these issues, contact the OISS at x2237
Document Processing Times
Document Type | School Year (Business Work Days) | Summer (Business Work Days) |
F-1 / Travel Signature | 2 | 3-5 |
F-1 / Extension of Program | 5-7 | 5 |
F-1 / Inviting Dependents | Appointment Only | |
F-1 / Co-Enrollment | 5-7 | 3-5 |
F-1 / Reinstatement | Appointment Only | |
F-1 / Letters (All types) | 2 | 3-5 |
F-1 / Certificate of Enrollment | 2 | 3-5 |
F-1 Degree Level Change | 5-7 | 5 |
F-1 Full Course Waiver | 5-7 | 5 |
F-1 Curricular Practical Training | Appointment Only | |
F-1 Curricular Practical Training | Appointment Only | |
F-1 Pre-Completion Practical Training | Appointment Only | |
F-1 Post-Completion Practical Training | 5-7 | 5 |
F-1 Transfer Out | 5-7 | 5 |
F-1 Change of Major | 2 | 3-5 |
Academic Training | Appointment Only | |
Academic Training | Appointment Only | |
Changes of Status (All types) | Appointment Only |
Office Hours
- Monday–Thursday 8:30 am–12:00 pm and 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
- Friday 8:30–12:00
Contact US
By Email:
Future/Incoming Students:
prei20@lasierra.edu
Current Students:
oiss@lasierra.edu
By Phone:
Phone: 951-785-2237
Fax: 951-785-2919
By Zoom:
Get To Know Us
Students
Contact And Location
oiss@lasierra.edu
(951) 785-2237
(951) 785-2919
Administration Building, Room 206