Admission Steps for F-1 International Students

​Below are the admission ​​steps for F-1 international students as you prepare to enroll at Dallas College. Please refer to Admission Requirements for International Students for further details on specific admission requirements and policies.


Initial Student (Applying From Your Home Country)
Applying as an F-1 International Student

Begin the application process by submitting an International Student Interest Form.

After submitting the form, you will receive an introductory email from your assigned international college coach. All communication regarding your application should be directed to your international college coach.

Submit the ApplyTexas application to obtain a Dallas College student ID number.

You will receive an email with your student ID and additional information. This is not proof of admission for F-1 students. Students should not use this letter to obtain a visa or transfer your Sevis record.

To receive an I-20, you must show official evidence of your proficiency in English. If you believe you are exempt from this requirement, you can check the admissions requirements for international students.

If you do not have any of the English proficiency options, your college coach may be able to request the TSIA2 or ESL Accuplacer test.

Prepare the supporting documents to be uploaded using the link provided by your college coach.

Documents must be clear, flat with no portions cut off or obstructed and in PDF format (no exceptions).

  • F1 Checklist for Initial Students
  • Initial Intake Form
  • Affidavit of Support
  • Bank statement with funds converted to U.S. dollars
  • English Proficiency (official must be sent to Dallas College)
  • Meningitis vaccination (upload to Admissions@DallasCollege.edu)
  • Copy of biographical page of your passport
  • Maintaining F1 Students' Status
  • If you have dependents: Upload copies of the biographical page of their passport and official proof of relationship.
  • Negative tuberculosis test result (Must be taken upon arrival to the U.S.)

Your international college coaches are your first point of contact while reviewing your supporting documents. Remember to communicate with your college coach any questions you may have regarding your documents.

Once your application and supporting documents have been approved by a Designated School Official, you will receive an official acceptance letter signed by a Designated School Official and an electronic I-20 with a list of next steps for initial students.

Once a complete application is ready for final review and approval, please allow 15 business days to be issued a Form I-20 and/or letter of acceptance.

After your official acceptance, all international students are required to attend an F-1 information session. During your information session, you will learn about your responsibilities to maintain your status and the many ways we can help you succeed at Dallas College.

Make your appointment at your embassy or consulate. We advise you to contact the embassy/consulate to get instructions on what to expect. Dallas College and International Admission do not have any control over the appointment schedule or adjudication status.

Check-in/Report to Dallas College

All initial F-1 students should report to a Designated School Official as soon as possible upon arrival into the United States, no later than the reporting deadline in your acceptance letter.

Documents to submit when you report:

  • Copy of F1 visa (if applicable)
  • Copy of I-94
  • Texas address
  • Home campus
  • Complete testing requirements
  • Proof of negative TB

You must also:

  • Register for classes
  • Visit a Success Coaching (Advising) Center
  • Dates and Deadlines
  • Find a Class
  • Pay for classes
  • Tuition and Costs
  • Payment Plans
  • Business/Cashier Offices

Meet with your student success coach to determine if you need assessment testing and to select, register and pay for your courses.

Once you have paid for your classes or set up a payment plan, your student success coach will review your student record for full-time enrollment. Once the semester has begun and you have been confirmed to be in a full course of study, your Designated School Official will issue your active I-20 via your Dallas College email address.

It is crucial to adhere to the deadlines provided on your acceptance letter and I-20. We strongly advise you not to attempt to enter the U.S. before the date noted on your I-20, as doing so puts you at risk of being sent back to your home country.

Note: Neither Dallas College nor a Designated School Official have the authority to prevent these measures.

Transfer Student (Transferring From a College/University in the U.S.)

Begin the application process by submitting an International Student Interest Form.

After submitting the interest form, you will receive an introductory email from your assigned college coach. All communication regarding your application should be directed to your international college coach.

Submit the ApplyTexas application to obtain a Dallas College student ID number.

You will receive an email with your student ID and additional information. This is not proof of admission for F-1 students. Students should not use this letter to obtain a visa or transfer your Sevis record.

Prepare the supporting documents to be uploaded using the link provided by your college coach.

Documents must be clear, flat with no portions cut off or obstructed and in PDF format.

  • F1 Checklist for Transfer Students
  • Transfer Intake Form
  • Affidavit of Support
  • Bank statement with funds converted to U.S. dollars
  • Maintaining F1 Students' Status
  • English proficiency (official must be sent to Dallas College)
  • Meningitis vaccination (upload to Admissions@DallasCollege.edu)
  • Copy of biographical page of your passport
  • TB requirements (must be taken in the U.S.)
  • I-94
  • F1 Visa
  • Copies of all I-20's
  • If you have dependents: Upload copies of the biographical page of their passport, F-2 visa, I-20s, I-94s and official proof of relationship.
  • Official transcripts from all language schools, colleges and universities attended in the U.S. Send to StudentTranscripts@DallasCollege.edu.

You must also:

  • Provide official evidence of English proficiency.
    • If you do not have one of the English proficiency options, your college coach may be able to request the TSIA2 or ESL Accuplacer.
  • Be in good standing with the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and maintain normal academic progress in the United States. Dallas College does not provide F1 visa reinstatement assistance.
  • Not have already earned an equivalency of an U.S. associate degree or higher or completed U.S. graduate-level coursework.
  • An exception to this policy is if you have been admitted to a selective admissions program at Dallas College.
  • Have an official transcript on file from the current SEVP-certified school with an established grade point average (GPA) and/or proof of first session completion.
  • Official transcripts with in-progress grades for the current term may be submitted if an established grade point average is included. If you are in progress of your first semester at the current school, you may be unable to satisfy this admission requirement by the application deadline. Please use StudentTranscripts@DallasCollege.edu for delivery.

Once your application and supporting documents have been approved by a Designated School Official you will receive an official acceptance letter signed by a Designated School Official. All I-20s will be issued after the first week of classes.

Your international college coaches are your first point of contact while reviewing your supporting documents. Remember to communicate with your college coach any questions you may have regarding your documents.

Once your application and supporting documents have been approved by a Designated School Official, you will receive an official acceptance letter signed by a Designated School Official and an electronic I-20 with a list of next steps for initial students.

Once a complete application is ready for final review and approval, please allow 15 business days to be issued a Form I-20 and/or letter of acceptance.

After your official acceptance, all international students are required to attend an F-1 information session. During your information session, you will learn about your responsibilities to maintain your status and the many ways we can help you succeed at Dallas College.

Check-in/Report to Dallas College

All initial F-1 students should report to a Designated School Official as soon as possible upon arrival into the United States, no later than the reporting deadline in your acceptance letter.

Documents to submit when you report:

  • Copy of F1 visa (if applicable)
  • Copy of I-94
  • Texas address
  • Home campus
  • Complete testing requirements
  • Proof of negative TB

You must also:

Meet with your student success coach to determine if you need assessment testing and to select, register and pay for your courses.

Once you have paid for your classes or set up a payment plan, your student success coach will review your student record for full-time enrollment. Once the semester has begun and you have been confirmed to be in a full course of study, your Designated School Official will issue your active I-20 via your Dallas College email address.

It is crucial to adhere to the deadlines provided on your acceptance letter and I-20. We strongly advise you not to attempt to enter the U.S. before the date noted on your I-20, as doing so puts you at risk of being sent back to your home country.

Note: Neither Dallas College nor a Designated School Official have the authority to prevent these measures.

Change of Status (In the U.S. On Another Visa Other Than F1)

Begin the application process by submitting an International Student Interest Form.

After submitting the form, you will receive an introductory email from your assigned college coach. All communication regarding your application should be directed to your coach.

Submit the ApplyTexas application to obtain a Dallas College student ID number.

You will receive an email with your student ID and additional information. This is not proof of admission for F-1 students. Students should not use this letter to obtain a visa or transfer your Sevis record.

To receive an I-20, you must show official evidence of your proficiency in English. If you believe you are exempt from this requirement, you can check the admissions requirements for international students. If you do not have any of the English proficiency options, your college coach may be able to request the TSIA2 or ESL Accuplacer test.

Prepare the supporting documents to be uploaded using the link provided by your college coach.

Documents must be clear, flat with no portions cut off or obstructed and in PDF format.

  • F1 Checklist for Change of Status Applicants
  • Change of Status Intake Form
  • Affidavit of Support
  • Bank statement with funds converted to U.S. dollars
  • English proficiency (official must be sent to Dallas College)
  • I-94
  • F1 Visa
  • Meningitis vaccination (upload to Admissions@DallasCollege.edu)
  • TB and Meningitis Requirements Form
  • TB screening documented a negative result (must be completed in the U.S. and within the past year)
  • Copy of biographical page of your passport
  • If you have dependents: upload copies of the biographical page of their passport, visa, and official proof of relationship.

Your international college coaches are your first point of contact while reviewing your supporting documents. Remember to communicate any questions you may have regarding your documents.

Allow 15 business days to receive an official acceptance letter signed by a Designated School Official.

Once your application and supporting documents have been approved by a Designated School Official, you will receive an official acceptance letter signed by a Designated School Official and electronic I-20 with a list of next steps for change of status students.

After your official acceptance, all international students are required to attend an F-1 information session. During your information session, you will learn about your responsibilities to maintain your status and the many ways we can help you succeed at Dallas College.

Check-in/Report to Dallas College

Change of Status students should report to a Designated School Official as soon as possible upon receipt of the approval or denial of the I-769 application. Documents to submit when you report:

  • Copy of approval notice
  • Copy of I-94
  • Dallas, Texas, address
  • Home campus
  • Complete testing requirements
  • Proof of negative TB
  • Proof of meningitis vaccine

You must also:

Meet with your success coach, to determine if you need assessment testing and to select, register and pay for your courses.

Once you have paid for your classes or set up a payment plan, your success coach will review your student record for full-time enrollment and your Designated School Official will provide your continued attendance Form I-20.