International Students
NDNU provides high quality graduate programs for international students aiming to grow professionally, advance their careers and make a social impact. Many faculty teaching at NDNU have achieved international recognition for their teaching excellence and remain active practitioners in their field.
NDNU’s services to International Students
This school is authorized under Federal law to enroll nonimmigrant international students. NDNU’s services to international students include I-20 issuance, F-1 visa advising, career services for CPT and OPT, academic advising, writing assistance and on campus housing. Additionally, NDNU faculty work closely with students, ensuring student progress and success.
The Office of Enrollment is the best source of information and advice during the application process. Once you have been accepted, a representative from this department will process your immigration and other governmental documents.
Our apartments offer students independent living within a residential community. Each furnished apartment accommodates up to three students and has a living room, shared bedroom, kitchen and bathroom.
NDNU accepts applications for admission year-round, but for international students, the following dates are advisable:
Fall Admission
August 1 (July 1 with no F-1 Visa)
Spring Admission
December 1 (November 1 with no F-1 Visa)
Summer Admission
April 1 (March 1 with no F-1 Visa)
Note: Some graduate programs require an earlier application submission. For more information, please call 650-508-3600 or email grad.admit@ndnu.edu
- If I am admitted to NDNU, what do I do next?
If you are admitted to NDNU, you’ll need to do the following before we can process your I-20:
- Pay your required $100 International Enrollment Deposit (refundable only if your visa application is rejected, otherwise this deposit applies to your tuition). Instructions will be sent to you with your acceptance letter. If you prefer, you can pay online with PayMyTuition.
- Submit your International Certificate of Finances, along with required bank statements/financial documentation.
- If you are transferring your I-20 from another institution, you will also be required to fill out the NDNU I-20 Transfer Form and submit this to the DSO/International Services Office at your current institution.
Once you have completed these steps, the International Students Office will contact you regarding the creation of your NDNU I-20.
- How soon will I get my I-20? What if I need to apply for a new student visa?
The International Students Office will create your I-20 after all required documents have been reviewed. Occasionally, we will ask you to submit additional documentation (extra bank statements, etc.), if your original documents were insufficient in any way.
Following submission of required documents, and review by the International Student Advisor, the International Students Office can usually create and send your I-20 within about two weeks. Please submit your documents as early as possible to ensure ample time to create your I-20 prior to the start of your program. This is particularly important if you are currently residing in your home country and need to apply for a new student visa before you travel to the United States.
For more information about applying for an F-1 visa, please contact the U.S. Embassy/Consular Office in your home country. Procedures and processing times can vary, so we encourage you to make an appointment as early as possible. You can find more information by visiting http://www.usembassy.gov/.
- Is there an International Student Orientation for new students?
In addition to the extremely useful online Student Orientation, NDNU has created a Guide to American University Culture which we hope will enhance your understanding of common patterns of interaction, and provide our international students with useful information and recommendations. Your department may choose to conduct a separate orientation associated with specific program activities, and will reach out via email if that is the case.
F-2 Dependent Support Information
Spouse and child(ren) under the age of 21 of the F-1 visa holder are considered dependents.
If you are expecting a child:
You must submit valid passport copies for all children, including infants and newborns (if the baby is expected to be born prior to travel to the United States). They will be required to receive a dependent I-20 and have a separate F-2 visa on their passport.
If you are planning to marry before arriving in the U.S.:
NDNU is only able to process dependent (spouse) I-20 requests after the date of marriage listed on your marriage certificate has passed. In addition, the marriage certificate issuance date must be prior to the date the dependent plans to arrive in the United States. NDNU will require a copy of the passport on which your spouse is planning to enter the U.S. I-20s for both F-1 and F-2 spouses will be issued together, after marriage, once the necessary documents have been received.
Domestic partners, fiancés, student’s parents, or other relatives:
As per the guidelines outlined by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), dependents who fall into these categories are not eligible for an F-2 visa and therefore cannot be issued dependent I-20s.
NDNU supports our applicants through the I-20 process for both you as a prospective student, and for any family members that you intend to bring with you when you arrive. You can share information about your plan to bring dependents over before or after submitting your admission application.
Before Submitting Admission Application:
On your NDNU admission application, please list all family members you intend to bring with you when you arrive at NDNU. You must submit passport copies for all dependents receiving an I-20s from NDNU. Adding dependents after your I-20 has been issued may create serious delays in issuing new I-20s for you and your family.
Students must be prepared to submit copies of:
1. Additional proof of financial support covering a minimum of $5,000 for each dependent.
2. Passport photo page with expiration date and passport number for each dependent (sample document)
3. Marriage certificate, if requesting I-20 for spouse
After Submitting Admission Application:
Students who have already submitted an NDNU admission application and have been accepted for admission can add dependents to their Certificate of Finance form. Once all documentation is approved, dependents will be added to the I-20 request.
Processing and Turnaround Time for Dependent 1-20’s
Upon receiving the dependent I-20 request and required documentation, NDNU Admissions will process the student and dependent(s) I-20s. Please allow at least 14 days for the I-20s to be issued. Once processed, students will be notified via their email on file to access their I-20 electronically.
Dependent Visa Application Process
After receiving the dependent I-20, the dependent(s) applies for the F-2 visa at a U.S. Embassy/Consulate in their home country with the supporting documents required by the U.S. Embassy/Consulate. To avoid any complications, it is recommended dependents apply for their dependent visa(s) with the F-1 visa holder.
F-2 dependents:
- Are in legal immigration status as long as you maintain status, throughout your program of study and any authorized period of optional practical trainingafter completion.
- May depart and re-enter the United States with proper documentation.
- May not work.
- Are not eligible for Social Security numbers.
- Can engage in study at an SEVP-certified school in the United States as long as they are enrolled in less than a full course of study.
- Can still participate up to full-time in avocational or recreational studies, such as hobbies.
- Who want to enroll full-time in a course of academic or vocational study must apply for and obtain approval to change nonimmigrant classification to F-1 before beginning full-time studies.
- Should obtain an updated Form I-20 from the DSO if any information about you changes.
F-2 Dependents that are minors (under 18 years of age)
- May file for a change of status (via Form I-539, “Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status”) to F-1 status if the adult dependent wants to study full-time.
- May attend public K-12 school at the appropriate grade level without any additional permission or documentation from SEVP. Please note that state education laws may require that F-2 students attend the appropriate grade level until a certain age.
- The private elementary or secondary school an F-2 student attends does not need to be SEVP-certified. However, for a minor F-2 dependent to transfer from a public school to a private school, the F-1 student and/or F-2 spouse, if applicable, should talk to the school’s DSO.
- If an F-2 dependent wants to continue studying in the United States, they can learn more on the Change of Status page within the US Homeland Security website.
See what students are saying:
International Students Office
1500 Ralston Ave. St.
Belmont, CA 94002
Hours of Operation
M–Th: 9 A.M. – 6:30 P.M.
F: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
TEL: +1 (650) 508-3600