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Arriving F1 Students

Arriving at JCCC? Here's what you'll need to know for your check-in process.

Success Tips and Enrollment Information

 

1. The Form I-20

2. The SEVIS Fee Payment Receipt

  • You are required to pay the Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee. For more information about this requirement, visit the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement website.
  • The $350 SEVIS I-901 fee may only be paid after you receive your JCCC I-20.
  • The fee must be paid prior to your visa interview.
  • The receipt documenting your payment must be shown during your visa interview.
  • Pay the fee online or by mail or courier. Learn more about fee payment.
    • On the I-901 application, you need to:
      • Enter required information, including your full legal name and date of birth.
      • Enter your name exactly as it appears on your I-20.
      • Your SEVIS ID# is N00XXXXXXXX, found on the top of your I-20.
      • A Form I-901 is not required for your dependents (spouse or children), nor is there any additional fee for dependents.

3. Review the Frequently Asked Questions about the Form DS-160 — Nonimmigrant Visa Application as well as Information About Fees for Visa Services.

4. Proof of payment of the visa application fee.

5. Your passport - Passport should be valid at least 6 months into the future.

6. Your photo.

According to regulations, you cannot enter the U.S. more than 30 days before the I-20 program start date.
Your I-20 start date and admission date is listed under the Program of Study box on page 1 of your I-20. 

  • The Fall semester begins on August 24, 2026.
  • The earliest date you will be permitted to enter the U.S. is July 25, 2026.
  • You must report to the JCCC International and Immigrant Student Services (IISS) office no later than August 10, 2026.

The IISS office is on the 3rd floor of the COM building (COM 306).

  • Bring your original passport and signed JCCC I-20 with you.
  • Office hours are 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Arrive early to complete enrollment and immigration requirements.
  • If you arrive after August 10, 2026, you may experience difficulties finding classes and completing enrollment requirements. IISS is not responsible for any academic or housing difficulties you may experience.
  1. Complete the required JCCC New Student Orientation. 
    Note that you must also attend a New F1 Student Orientation. This is required for all new international students. You will receive an email containing details about this requirement. Be sure to attend!

  2. Report to IISS as outlined above.

  3. Meet with an Academic Counselor (Student Center, 2nd floor). The Counselor will help you develop your class schedule. Schedule an appointment

  4. Enroll in classes, pay your fees and purchase books.

  5. You must undergo a Tuberculosis (TB) blood test at the Johnson County Health Department before January 5, 2026.
    • You must submit the TB results to the International and Immigrant Student Services Office before January 12, 2026.
    • TB results from outside the U.S. are not accepted.
    • If you arrive late and do not complete TB testing, you may experience difficulties finding classes. For this reason, we recommend you enter the U.S. as early as legally possible
      (30 days before classes start).

JCCC has a non-attendance policy. It is important that you attend classes once they are scheduled to start, otherwise you may be dropped from the course.

Check-in Process for New F-1 Students

Complete this list as soon as you arrive in Kansas City

You will learn about placement exams, scheduling classes, parking, purchasing textbooks, your MyJCCC account, your student email, important deadlines and more.

Visit the orientation web page to learn how you can complete this requirement. 

It must be completed to enroll. We recommend you do it online in advance of your arrival to JCCC.

Commons building, 3rd floor, COM 306
(campus map)

Bring the following documents with you:

  • JCCC I-20
  • Passport
  • Visa
  • I-94 form (print it out here or Google search “electronic I-94”)

Choosing a Major and Planning Your Classes

It is important for F‑1 students to choose a major at JCCC and meet with an academic counselor. Your counselor will help you make a detailed program plan. This plan is important because F‑1 regulations require you to take enough in‑person classes each semester.

Some majors have very few in‑person class options, so you may need to plan early to make sure you stay in compliance with your F‑1 status.

Selective Admission Programs 

Programs like Nursing and Dental Hygiene have a selective admission process. This means you may need to stay enrolled in another degree program until you are officially admitted. For some students, this process may take one or two semesters.

To make the best plan, meet with a counselor who specializes in your intended program and with an IISS Coordinator. Planning ahead will help you stay on track and maintain your F‑1 status while you complete the admission requirements.

You may register online (if you do not have a hold!), by phone or in person. 

Enrollment instructions are available on the Steps to Enroll web page.

The payment deadline is found on the Steps to Enroll web page.

JCCC F-1 Students are required to purchase health insurance. This charge will automatically be billed along with your tuition and fees when you enroll for classes.

No requests for exceptions to the requirement will be considered.

Instructions are available on the JCCC Bookstore’s website.

Enroll early! This gives you the best opportunity to purchase or rent used books at lower prices.

Your attendance at this in-person event is required.

Register your attendance here so we have a lunch for you.