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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.

Different languages of the video above are available!

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

International Office Staff

Contact And Location

oiss@lasierra.edu
(951) 785-2237
(951) 785-2919
Administration Building, Room 206

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