Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine hosts only F-1 visa types which is a non-immigrant classification which allows an international student to remain in the United States as long as they are properly registered as a full-time student.
To maintain F-1 student status an international student must be matriculated in one of our Professional, Masters or Doctoral level programs on a full-time basis and attaining satisfactory academic progress. International students can not maintain status if in a non-degree program.
When an International student confirms their acceptance to Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, they are required to submit a Financial Responsibility form with financial statements from United States banking institutions showing that they have educational funding for tuition, insurance, transportation and living expenses for the duration of the program. The source of this funding can not be from loans.
The Registrar is the designated school official that is responsible for preparation of I-20 forms for International students. Please contact the Registrar at 215-871-6707 or DeborahCa@pcom.edu with any questions regarding status.
In order to maintain eligibility for F-1 Visa the International student must
- Maintain full time study
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress
- If accepted into a new program, prior to the end of the current program, submit new financial support documentation for the first year of study in the new program
- If transferring from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine notification must be given in writing to the Registrars office. Registrar's office requires name of new school and program be provided in order to transfer I-20
International students are required to
- Report any change of address to the U.S. federal government and submitting written notification to the Registrar's office within 10 days of your address change. Click here for Change of address form
- Keep passport valid. Passport should be valid for minimum of 6 months into the future. To renew passport in the United States, contact the Embassy of your home country
- Consult with Registrar's office if you require employment. Unauthorized employment will have adverse consequences on your future in the United States. Do not accept any unauthorized employment
- Students on an F-1 student Visa have a 60 day grace period for departure following the end date of their program as noted on the I-20
Employment Options
International students must always make sure that any employment they engage in is legal employment are required to have the necessary employment authorization before you begin work. Consultation with the Registrar before beginning any employment is required.
Categories of F-1 Student Employment
1. CPT-Campus Employment
Certain work experiences, which are an integral part of your program of study may be the basis for curricular practical training employment authorization.
2. OPT - Optional Practical Training
F-1 students are eligible for twelve months of optional practical training (OPT). Optional practical training provides an opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge obtained in an academic program to a practical work experience. Apply for Optional Practical Training
General Questions
1) What is a Visa?
A non-immigrant U.S. visa is issued as a stamp in your passport by a U.S. embassy or consulate outside the United States. A visa stamp indicates that you are eligible for entry and reentry to the United States in the immigration category indicated (F-1, J-1, H-1B, TN, etc). Most visa stamps are for multiple entries.
Citizens of foreign countries generally need visas to enter the United States. A visa is permission to apply to enter the United States. It is a document which is affixed to a page in your passport. Under U.S. law the Department of State has responsibility for issuing visas, and most visas are issued at one of the Department of State embassies and consulates abroad. Therefore, when you want to travel to the United States, you must first apply for a visa at an American embassy or consulate abroad. A consular officer decides whether you are qualified for a visa.
For more information click here
2) What Visas does Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine accept?
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine only hosts F-1 visas.
3) How to apply for a Student Visa
For information regarding Student Visa application, please refer to the government website
4) Can I get a visa inside the U.S.?
No, it is not possible to apply for or to renew a visa in the United States. Visas are issued only by a U.S. consul in a U.S. embassy or consulate outside the United States. More information
5) Do I have to return to my home country to apply for a new visa?
It is possible for most international visitors to apply for a visa in a country that is not their home country. Be sure to follow all U.S. embassy guidelines for applying, and additional wait time is possible if security checks are needed.
