Follow the step-by-step checklist below to apply to the college and request an I-20 form. Students who are eligible for the associate degree programs are accepted for the fall and spring semesters. Students who wish to enroll in the full-time Intensive English Language program are accepted for the fall semester, spring semester or summer sessions.

All forms and documents should be mailed or delivered directly to the Office of International Student Services no later than the deadline dates given below.

Mailing Address:  Office of International Student Services
                          Northern Virginia Community College
                          7630 Little River Turnpike, Suite 815
                          Annandale, VA 22003
Telephone:          703.323.3423
Email:                 oiss@nvcc.edu

After the Office of International Student Services reviews your documents and determines that you have met all the requirements, the I-20 will be issued. Based on the information you provided on your I-20 Application Form, you will be called or the form will be mailed to you. All documents must include official English translations.

Please do not hesitate to contact the office if you have any questions about the application process.

Application Deadlines for Academic Studies:

Fall Semester Deadline: June 1
Spring Semester Deadline: November 1

Application Deadlines for Intensive English-Language Training Only:

Fall Semester Deadline: June 1
Spring Semester Deadline: November 1
Summer Session Deadline: March 15

Application Deadlines for F-1 Transfer Students:

Fall Semester Deadline: July 1
Spring Semester Deadline: December 1
Summer Session Deadline: April 15 (Intensive ESL only)

Apply for Admission and I-20 A-B Form

1. Apply online. After you apply online, you should print the application confirmation form which shows your Student ID number. It is important to include that ID number on all your other forms. 

• You will be asked if you wish to take classes for non-credit or credit. If you intend to begin your studies at NOVA as an ESL student, you should mark non-credit. If you are applying to study for an associate degree and you are a native English speaker or you are sending a TOEFL score, you should mark credit.
• You will be asked if you plan to pursue a degree. Please include the academic program you intend to pursue at NOVA. Due to the restricted nature of some programs, such as Veterinary Technology and Dental Hygiene, some programs are currently not available to F-1 students.

2. Complete the I-20 Application Form 

3. Complete the F-1  Financial Statement recently signed by your financial sponsor(s) (dated not more than 6 months before the start of the semester for which you are applying). Please provide all financial information in English.
 
4. Provide recent bank statements from your financial sponsor (dated no more than 6 months before the start of the semester for which you are applying.) showing that your sponsor has sufficient funds to meet the financial obligation to support you while you study and live in the U.S. The bank statement must be translated in English.

5. Provide evidence that you have completed the equivalent of a U.S. high school education by submitting one of the following: (NOTE: If the documentation is not in English, you need to submit an official English translation.)

• certified copy of your secondary school diploma or certificate equivalent to a U.S. high school diploma OR
• evidence of your attendance in university level studies (Please do not send original diplomas or certificates as we cannot return them to you.) 
• participants in a J-1 Au Pair or Summer Work Travel program may demonstrate that they have met this requirement by providing a copy of the DS 2019.

6. Provide a brief written statement explaining why you want to study at Northern Virginia Community College. (NOT required for ESL students.)

7. Provide a photocopy of your passport ID page.

8. If you are applying for admission to the associate degree program, you must provide evidence of English proficiency.  If you will be coming to study in our Intensive English Program, you do not need to submit test scores. You can meet this requirement in the following ways:

• If you come from a country where English is the official language, you are considered to be proficient in English.
• If you are in northern Virginia and are able to visit NOVA, you can take the college English placement test.
• If you have studied in the U.S., you may provide an official transcript showing successful completion of a freshman English composition course with a grade of C or higher from an accredited U.S. college or university.
• Provide official TOEFL or IELTS scores less than 2 years old.

Required TOEFL score:       

Paper based   500
Computer based   173
iBT    61

Required IELTS score: 5.0

Please use the TOEFL Institution code of 5515 to report your score.

All incoming students will be required to take an English placement test prior to enrolling in classes at the college. The college has different tests for native and non-native English speakers.

F-1 Transfer Students

F-1 transfer students are eligible to register for classes at NOVA only after all required forms and documents are submitted to the Office of International Student Services. Visit www.nvcc.edu/international/f1-transfer.htm. To avoid problems, apply early.

Overseas Students

F-1 Visa

If you are outside the United States, you will need to apply for an F-1 visa to enter the U.S. Once the college reviews your documents and determines that you meet all the requirements, an I-20 form will be mailed to the address you provided on your application form.

After you receive your I-20 you will need to:

• Pay the SEVIS fee of $100 at https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/
• Schedule an interview with the U.S. embassy to discuss your educational plans, your financial support and your plans to return to your home country. For information about visa requirements, see http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov/. You can find information about the consular office in your country and their requirements.

Students Changing to F-1 Status

If you wish to change to F-1 status, consult with an international advisor in the Office of International Student Services or an immigration attorney. Students with B1/B2 or F-2 status may not enroll in classes until they have the approval of the change of status. Students changing from J-1, H-4, G-4, A-1, etc. may have other issues related to their change of status which should be discussed with an advisor. For more information about documents required to change status, see http://www.nvcc.edu/international/f1-change.htm.