Special Information for International Applicants
International students studying at a GIA campus in the United States will enjoy an exciting and rewarding experience. Most students easily make the transition to living in the U.S, but it is your responsibility to be aware of certain rules and regulations which govern your stay in this country and pertain to your enrollment at GIA.
GIA is authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Certificate of Eligibility Form I-20MN must be used to obtain an M-1 student visa, and the ICE Certificate of Eligibility Form 1-20AB must be used to obtain an F-1 student visa prior to entering the U.S. Applicants who enter the U.S under another non-immigrant visa status usually cannot attend GIA’s full-time on-campus programs.
Non-immigrants already in the United States on a valid non-immigrant visa may be eligible to apply for a change of status to either the M-1 or F-1 visa while in the United States; but there are certain restrictions. Please contact the International Student Advisor for further details about changing from your current non-immigrant status. U.S citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) regulations do not allow M-1 students currently in the United States to change their status to F-1 while in the United States. You must apply for the F-1 visa at the U.S. Consulate in your home country.
F-1 Transfer Students:
Students in the U.S. on a valid F-1 visa may request a transfer of their F-1 I-20AB from their current F-1 school to GIA to attend the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program. A SEVIS Transfer Form from GIA is usually required before your current F-1 school will transfer your I-20AB. Click here to download the SEVIS Transfer Form. You will need the Adobe Acrobat reader to view these files. Use this link to download Adobe's Acrobat Reader. Or, you may also request this form from GIA Admissions or the International Student Advisor at 760-603-4000 ext. 7302 after you have been confirmed for enrollment into the BBA program.
International students applying for enrollment in the following programs or courses: Graduate Gemologist, Graduate Diamonds, Graduate Colored Stones, Graduate Jeweler, Applied Jewelry Arts, Jewelry Design, and Jewelry Business Management
The M-1 visa is required for International students who are interested in enrolling in the above programs or courses.
GIA School of Business Bachelor of Business Administration International student applicants:
The F-1 visa is required for the Bachelor of Business Administration program. You must carefully read the BBA enrollment requirements found on page 24 of GIA’s Education Catalog and the Admissions and Credit Transfer Policy found on GIA’s website at http://www.gia.edu/education/32198/bachelor_of_business_administration.cfm
All international student applicants must meet the following enrollment requirements:
In addition to your enrollment application and confirmation fees, GIA requires the following documents before the Certificate of Eligibility I-20 form will be issued. All documents sent to the Admissions Office must be in English, or include an English-language translation.
- A copy of the page in your passport that shows your birth date, citizenship and country of birth, or a copy of your birth certificate
- A copy of your high school or college diploma (e.g., AA, BA, BS), or a transcript or its equivalent showing your graduation date. If graduation documentation is not available, please contact the Education Board in the country of your school and ask them to send an affidavit proving graduation and date. Transcripts must be provided on official school stationery
- An original official and current personal bank statement or an original bank letter showing that you have sufficient liquid assets to cover all tuition, instant recall if necessary, and living expenses. The document must be in English, and must show the specific denomination and currency of the available funds. Living expenses are estimated to be at least US$1,735 per month. Sufficient funds must also be available for your spouse or children (under 21) who will accompany you; expenses are estimated at US$880 per month per added dependent. If the bank statement or bank letter is not from your personal bank, in addition to the original bank statement or bank letter, an original letter of financial support from the person whose bank statement or bank letter is shown is required. This letter must have the sponsor’s name, their relationship to the student, the amount to be sponsored and must include the sponsor’s signature and be dated.
- Documentation of your English proficiency. You can fulfill this requirement by obtaining satisfactory results on a TOEFL® (Test of English as a Foreign Language), an IELTS™ (International English Language Testing System) examination, the Cambridge CAE exam, or by successfully completing Level 109 at the ELS Language Centers. You may also demonstrate English proficiency by submitting original proof of graduation from a secondary school or college in which English is the language of instruction. Please contact the International Student Advisor for specific requirements regarding this original proof of your English proficiency.
The minimum score required on the TOEFL® is 500 (paper based), 173 (computer based), or 61 (iBT/Next Generation TOEFL®). The minimum score required on the IELTS™ is Band 5.0. TOEFL® and IELTS™ scores are valid for two years from the date of the examination. Results must be an original official score sent by TOEFL® to GIA; copies and student results are not accepted. GIA Carlsbad and Los Angeles’s TOEFL® institutional code is 9144; GIA New York’s TOEFL® institutional code is 9028. Please note that the Institutional TOEFL® (ITP) does not meet GIA’s requirements. The TOEFL® examination is available in over 110 countries. Information about this test may be obtained at any U.S. Embassy or Consulate, or by visiting the website at www.toefl.org. The IELTS™ examination is offered at least once every month through a network of over 200 examination offices in over 100 countries. Information about the test may be obtained by visiting the website at www.ielts.org. The minimum score required on the Cambridge CAE exam is B; the exam is offered through several test centers in more than 60 countries. Information about the Cambridge CAE exam may be obtained by visiting the website at www.cambridgeesol.org .
If English was the medium of instruction at your secondary school, college, or university with a combined period of at least four years, please submit a copy of your secondary school, college, and/or university diploma. If you attended a school in a country where English is not the official language, you must also submit an original letter on the school’s letterhead, signed and dated from the Dean, Director, or Head Master stating your years of study, diploma or degree earned, and specifying that English was the medium of instruction.
GIA also has Conditional Acceptance Agreements with two colleges in the San Diego area, San Diego State University and the University of California at San Diego. Please contact GIA’s International Student Advisor if you need further information, or visit the following websites at: www.americanlanguage.com and http://www.extension.ucsd.edu/department/elp/index.html
After your on campus enrollment has been accepted, your Certificate of Eligibility Form I-20 will be sent to you within 10 business days of your acceptance. GIA strongly advises you to apply for your visa immediately after you receive your I-20. The process can take at least 90 days. If you have any questions regarding your student visa or the requirements for international student enrollments please contact the GIA International Student Advisor. 800-421-7250 ext. 7302
SEVIS I-901Fee Information:
The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) requires international students to pay a Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) I-901 $100 processing fee prior to applying for your F-1 or M-1 visa. The I-901 fee is not required for M-2 or F-2 dependent applicants. The I-901 fee can be paid electronically or by mail, and payment must be received at least three business days prior to your visa interview at the Consulate. GIA will provide you with the payment information and the I-901 form with your I-20. Information about the I-901 Fee can be found at www.fmjfee.com
U.S. immigration laws and requirements are currently undergoing review and scrutiny, and are subject to change. You can visit the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) website at www.ice.gov/sevis Information from the U.S. Department of State about studying in the U.S.A., living in the U.S.A and pre-departure: www.educationusa.state.gov International students are only allowed to remain in the U.S.A. in accordance with current immigration law and the time limits stated on their immigration documents.
Applying for your non-immigrant visa:
Once you have received your Certificate of Eligibility Form I-20, you can make an appointment with the US Consulate section of the US Embassy for your non-immigrant visa interview. You can apply for your non-immigrant M-1 or F-1 visa 120 days before the start date indicated on the Certificate of Eligibility I-20. Please contact the US Embassy in your home country for the most up-todate requirements to apply for your F-1 or M-1 visa. You can locate the US Embassy in your home country at http://usembassy.state.gov.
Remember that GIA wants to help. Contact our International Student Advisor if you have questions. (See Directory on page 71 in GIA’s 2008 Education Catalog.)
