Current International Students

F-1 students must enroll in and complete at least 12 units each quarter (Fall, Winter, Spring).

• Grades that COUNT toward your 12 units: A, B, C, D, F, P (Pass) and NP (No Pass)

• Grades that DO NOT COUNT toward your 12 units: Withdrawals (grade of W, AW, and EW) and non-credit classes

Advanced APPROVAL from the ISP office is REQUIRED if you need to drop below 12 units. Contact foothillinternational@fhda.edu to make an appointment with an F-1 advisor.

F-1 students are allowed to take 1 online class in your first 12 units (Fall, Winter, Spring). You must stay in on-campus classes to enroll in extra online classes.

Classes ending with ‘D’ (for example: KINS-016C-01D) are strictly for high school students only. 

Correct Example

• Accounting (On Campus, 5 Units)
• Business (On Campus, 4 Units)
• Basketball (On Campus, 1 Unit)
• Music (Online, 4 Units)
• Total = Accounting 5 + Business 4 + Basketball 1 = 10 on-campus units + 4 online units

Incorrect Example

• Accounting (On Campus, 5 Units)
• History (Online, 4 Units)
• Basketball (On Campus, 1 Unit)
• Music (Online, 4 Units)
• Total = Accounting 5 + Basketball 1 = 6 on-campus units + History 4 online units = 10 units.
• Fix: Add additional on-campus units to meet 12 units, if you want to enroll in the online Music class

Unsure? Bring your schedule to the ISP Office for advice.

If you would like to enroll in class(es) at another school, including De Anza College, please follow the steps below:

Enroll at De Anza

1. Enroll in at least 10 units at Foothill College first.

2. Complete the top half of the Concurrent Enrollment Form and return to Foothill ISP to complete the bottom half: foothillinternational@fhda.edu.

3. Apply to De Anza using the CCCApply Application: https://www.opencccapply.net/gateway/apply?cccMisCode=421. Contact De Anza A&R Office for questions: https://www.deanza.edu/admissions/

4. Register for your class(es).

Important notes about De Anza Classes

• You must pay fees at De Anza immediately upon registering or you will be dropped.

• Math, English and ESL course sequences are different at Foothill and De Anza. You must take all the sequences at one college.

Additional Notes

• Not all classes transfer back to Foothill! We strongly recommend that you meet with an Academic Counselor before taking a class at another school.

• If you enroll at a school other than De Anza, you must request that an official transcript be sent to Foothill Admissions and Records to receive transfer credit. You must also email proof of your final grade(s) to Foothill ISP after completing the class(es).

• Failure to email proof of enrollment and final grade(s) to Foothill ISP may result in termination of your I-20.

1. Update your major in MyPortal > Apps > Student Registration > Update My Major/Educational Goals.

2. Contact the ISP Office to update your I-20.

Need more time to complete your new major? See “Extending Your I-20” below.

We recommend carrying the following documents when traveling:

Inside the U.S.

• Government-issued photo ID (driver's license, California REAL ID card, or passport): must be current and not expired
• If using driver's license, carry a copy of your passport photo page and your F-1 visa
• Copy of your current I-20

Outside the U.S.

• I-20 with a valid travel signature: less than 6 months old when returning to the U.S.
  • BEFORE leaving the U.S., you must obtain a travel signature (DSO endorsement) on your I-20 from the International Student Office.
  • Without a valid travel signature, you may not be allowed to re-enter the U.S.
• Passport: valid for 6+ months into the future
• F-1 visa in your passport: valid when returning to the U.S.
• Copy of your Foothill transcript: unofficial transcript is acceptable

Expired Visa

If your F-1 visa has expired and you are traveling outside the U.S., plan to renew it during summer or winter break to allow enough time for processing.

Important Reminders

• A valid visa is ONLY required when entering the U.S. You must apply for a new F-1 visa in your home country before returning to the U.S.
• Review the visa requirements and schedule your visa appointment as soon as possible after arriving in your home country.
• Many students must complete fingerprinting before the visa appointment.
• Bring your financial documents and an official Foothill transcript to your visa interview.

Traveling to Canada or Mexico

You may need a visa or tourist card to visit these countries.

• Canada visa information: Visit Canada
• Mexico tourist card (FMM) information: Countries and regions that require a visa to travel to Mexico

Important: Driving without a driver's license is illegal. You must apply for a license at your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) before driving. Students who do not drive can still obtain a California state ID as your primary form of identification.

Who Can Apply:

• Must be 18 years old or older
• Must be in lawful F-1 status and a current Foothill Student
• Have a US local address on file with the Foothill ISP Office
• Your arrival information must be in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) database. We recommend waiting at least 3 weeks after arriving in the U.S.

Required Documents:

• Valid passport and visa
• I-20 Form
• I-94 Form
• Two qualified residency documents (can include a letter from Foothill ISP Office)
• Social Security Number (SSN) if you have one

Steps to Apply:

Before your DMV appointment

• Study the California Driver Handbook for the written test 
• Make an appointment on the DMV website or call 800-777-0133
• Complete the online application

At the DMV

• Provide your documents and pay the required fees.
• Follow DMV instructions (fingerprints, vision test, etc.)
• Take the written test

Driving test (if applicable)

• Schedule a driving test on the DMV website or call 800-777-0133

Receiving Your license

• Your will receive a temporary driver's license valid for 60 days while your official license is mailed to you
• If you do not receive it within 60 days, call 800-777-0133

Additional Information:

• Find a DMV location near you on their website
• Auto insurance is required if you drive
• If you purchase or own a car, you must register your car with the DMVevery year
• You can also borrow a car using Zipcar
• Quick Getting a California Driver's License Info Sheet

Every non-immigrant must file tax,  irrespective of income or days of presence in the U.S., with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

This also applies to your spouse and dependents/children on F-2 visas.

Filing your taxes is necessary to maintain your visa status and not be out of compliance.

Foothill ISP Tax Quick Guide

Disclaimer: ISP staff are not tax experts and cannot provide you with advice on how to file your taxes. Everyone has a unique tax situation and is responsible for their own taxes. This guide is only meant to help you get a general understanding of your tax obligations.

If you did not have any income from a U.S. source in the previous calendar year.

You must file Form 8843, irrespective of income or days of presence in the U.S. This is an informational form which declares your presence as a non-resident and your exempt from filing taxes.

If you had any income from a U.S. source in the previous calendar year.

You must file Form 8843, irrespective of income or days of presence in the U.S. You may need to file Form 1040NR.You should consult with a tax preparation service, professional tax accountant, or tax attorney who is knowledgeable about non-resident tax.

Definitions

• Non-resident- A non-citizen who has not passed the green card test or the substantial presence test.
• Form 8843- A “Statement for Exempt Individuals and Individuals with a Medical Condition”. This
• form is required by all non-residents with F-1, F-2, J-1, or J-2 nonimmigrant status.
• Form 1040NR- form used by non-residents to file taxes.
• Form W2- form given to an employee which reports annual wages paid and taxes withheld.
• Form 1099- form given to a worker to report payment for independent contract work.

Warnings

• Be cautious about tax preparation software like TurboTax and free tax assistance services which may be intended for resident taxpayers and may not properly handle non-resident
• Avoid scams. Scammers may contact you claiming you owe money to the IRS and/or requesting instant payment to resolve a problem. 
• The IRS will never call you on the phone requesting personal information
• Do not give any information over the

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When is the tax filing season and deadline?
   For example, in 2026, tax filing season is for income from January 1 to December 31, 2025. Filing deadline is Thursday, April 15, 2026.
2. Do I need to file if I did not work?
   Yes, everyone should file Form 8843 regardless of income. Non-residents are required to comply with all U.S. laws, including IRS. Not filling could affect future immigration status.
3. What counts as income from a U.S. source?
   Aside from wages and salaries, income may include gift money exceeding $14,000, scholarships for non-tuition expenses, grants and stipends from a U.S. source. You should consult with a professional tax accountant or attorney if you are unsure.
4. Can I get a tax refund for my tuition fees?
   Only U.S. residents can claim the tax credit for tuition paid a t a U.S. school. If you have a social security number, you may see that Form 1098T is available to you in MyPortal, but F-1 students are not eligible to claim this refund and will not need to use this form.
5. What if I forgot to file last year or filed as a resident by mistake?
   Filing your taxes is necessary to maintain your visa status and not be out of compliance. You can back file your taxes at any time, but you will only be able to claim a refund from the last three years. If you misfiled, you should consult with a professional tax accountant or attorney for Form 1040X, “Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return”.
6. How can I get help or additional information?
   Below are several suggested web resources F-1 students may choose to use for help filing their taxes. Note these services may charge a fee.
   • Glacier Tax Prep (glaciertax.com)
   • Sprintax (sprintax.com)
   • You may also wish to consult with a professional accountant or attorney, but you should always identify yourself as an F-1 visa holder and be sure that the person advising you is familiar with non-resident tax laws.
7. What do I put in Section 3, items 9 and 10 on Form 8843 (the address, phone number, and director of Foothill College)?
   Item 9: Foothill College, 12345 El Monte Rd, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022, (650) 949-7777
   Item 10: Kristina Whalen, President

 

Download Foothill ISP Tax Quick Guide (PDF).

Your I-20 has a start and end date. Apply 1-2 months before your I-20 expires if you need more time to complete your program.

1. Meet with an International Academic Counselor for an updated education plan, showing the remaining classes you need to complete your major.

2. The counselor will complete a Program Extension Form.

3. The Immigration Advisor will make the final decision, and will issue an updated I-20 with new dates.

Note: 2nd and 3rd extensions are extremely rare, and require a 2.0+ GPA and good academic progress. 

During Summer:

Attending a Summer quarter is optional for continuing students; therefore, you are not required to take any classes.

During Fall, Winter or Spring:

Meet with the Immigration Advisor to discuss your situation before the quarter you are planning to take off. Your I-20 will be ended under Authorized Early Withdrawal.

Leaving the U.S. for less than 5 months

• You may return to Foothill College after receiving approval from the Immigration Advisor.

• Contact the ISP Office 30 days before return so we can process your return with immigration.

Leaving the U.S. for 5+ Months

• You must have a new Initial I-20 to return to the U.S.

• You must also pay the SEVIS fee (I-901 fee) again.

• After your return to the U.S., you must study for one academic year (3 full quarters) in order to qualify to work off-campus.

• Contact the ISP Office for the F-1 Transfer Out Form
• Submit with a copy of your acceptance letter from the new school
• Most I-20s are transferred on the last day of the quarter
• You will receive an email confirmation when your record is transferred

 

Transfer out of Foothill

• Meet with the Immigration Advisor to discuss your situation
• Complete the F-1 Exit Form
• Send a copy of your plane ticket showing your US departure date
• Your I-20 will be ended accordingly

• Passport must be valid for 6+ months
• No "F" grade from previous quarter
• GPA above 2.0
• Requires employment letter from supervisor if you are applying for an SSN
• Maximum 19 hours per week

On-Campus Employment

• After one year of F-1 study (3 full quarters, summer does not count)
• Meet with an International Academic Counselor for an updated Ed Plan
• Register for an ITRN class
• Work must be directly related to your major
• Work must be approved in advance by the ISP Office
• Maximum 20 hours per week

• Must be receiving an Associate Degree or Certificate of Achievement (35+ units)
• Meet with an International Academic Counselor first to confirm you will receive a degree/certificate of achievement. Then, meet with the Immigration Advisor to review your OPT application and receive an I-20 with OPT recommendation.
• Apply to USCIS during graduation quarter - Immigration/USCIS must approve prior to starting work
• Work must be directly related to your major
• Maximum 40 hours per week