New Student Information

After you receive your I-20 or DS-2019, you must pay the $200 I-901 SEVIS fee online. You will receive an online receipt that you should print, copy, and bring with you to your visa interview.

As soon as possible after you receive your I-20 or DS-2019, schedule your visa interview appointment at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate (locate here) to apply for an F-1 or J-1 visa. If you’re applying for an F-1 visa, you may be issued the visa up to 120 days before the program start date as noted in item 5 on the I-20. If you’re applying for a J-1 visa, you may be issued the visa at any time before the beginning of your program.

You may not enter the U.S. more than 30 days before the start date noted in item 5 on the I-20 form or item 3 on the DS-2019. You should make your travel arrangements with this date in mind, giving yourself adequate time to arrive in order to attend the mandatory orientation program.

Canadian citizens do not need a visa. Simply present the I-20 or DS-2019, SEVIS fee receipt, financial documentation, and proof of admission to SSU to the immigration officer at the U.S. port of entry. A passport may be required depending on your method of travel. For more information, visit the U.S. Department of State’s travel pages.

Refer to the Visa Appointment & Processing Wait Times to see how long you will wait for an F-1/J-1 visa interview in your area.

You should prepare and bring the following documents to your visa interview:

• Visa application – complete the DS-160 Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application form which can be obtained online, or in-person at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate
• I-901 receipt – confirming payment of SEVIS fee
• Valid passport – your passport must be valid for at least six months when seeking entry or re-entry to the U.S., unless your country is listed here on the Immigration Customs Enforcement website
• Passport-size photos
• I-20 or DS-2019 form – if you are applying to renew your visa, be sure that your I-20/DS-2019 has a valid travel signature; newly admitted students do not need a travel signature for initial entry to the U.S.
• Newly admitted applicants should bring their SSU admission letter; visa renewal applicants should bring their academic transcript and confirmation of enrollment, which can be obtained from the Registrar's Office
• Financial evidence – immigration officers must determine whether your financial support is sufficient to cover your stay in the U.S.
• Proof of English language proficiency may also be requested
• Evidence of continuing ties to your home country (e.g. family, career, property)

For additional country-specific instructions, visit the U.S. Embassy or Consulate office’s website where you will be applying for your visa.

Visa applicants are presumed to be “intending immigrants.” The #1 reason that visas are denied is because students are unable to convince the U.S. official that they plan to return to their home country after completion of their studies. Federal regulations clearly state that nonimmigrant visas may be given only to persons who intend to remain in the U.S. temporarily. Unfortunately, there is no single explanation, document, or letter than can guarantee visa issuance.

Here are some more tips to prepare you for your visa interview:

• Immigration officers conduct quick interviews lasting 2-3 minutes if you’re lucky. Their initial impression of you is critical to your success.
• Have a definite academic objective. Know what you are going to study and what it will lead to in your home country. Be qualified for that program of study. Be prepared to explain why it is better for you to study in the U.S. than at home.
• Be absolutely sure about your choice of school. If you do not seem certain that you want to attend SSU, you will not get a visa.
• Use documentation (as opposed to spoken statements) whenever possible, especially when showing financial resources and ties to your home country.
• Anticipate that the interview will be conducted in English and not in your native language. Practice English conversation.
• Be able to explain the reasons you want to study in the U.S. and remember that your main reason for coming to the U.S. is to study, not to work!
• Speak for yourself. Do not bring parents or family members with you to the interview.
• Don’t emphasize any ties you may have to the United States or to family members in the U.S. But if you are asked about relatives in the U.S., be honest about who in your family is in the U.S. and what your relationship to that person is.
• Be honest in everything you write on your visa application and say during the interview.
• Keep your answers concise.
• Maintain a positive attitude! Do not engage the officer in an argument.
• If you are denied a student visa, ask the officer for a list of documents he or she would suggest you bring in order to overcome the refusal, and try to get the reason you were denied in writing.

If your spouse and/or children are also applying for an accompanying F-2/J-2 dependent visa, be aware that dependents cannot be employed in the U.S. If asked, be prepared to address what your spouse and/or children intend to do with their time while in the U.S. Volunteering and attending vocational school part-time are permitted activities.

If your spouse and/or children are remaining behind in your country, be prepared to address how they will support themselves in your absence. This can be an especially tricky area if you are the primary source of income for your family. If the immigration officer gains the impression that you will need to remit money from the U.S. in order to support your family, your student visa application will almost certainly be denied. If your family does decide to join you at a later time, it is helpful to have them apply at the same office where you applied for your visa.

If you are changing schools within the U.S. and transferring your SEVIS record to SSU, there are specific visa and travel policies unique to your situation.

F-1 Students: Once your SEVIS record is transferred to SSU, you will be issued a new I-20. Before your program starts at SSU, you may travel outside and re-enter the U.S. with your current F-1 visa and SSU I-20, as long as the visa is not expired, your SSU I-20 has been signed for travel, and you are not outside the U.S. more than five months between academic programs. If your F-1 visa is expired and you wish to travel internationally before your program starts at SSU, you must renew your F-1 visa in your home country before you may re-enter the U.S.

More information on visa regulations and how to maintain your F-1/J-1 status can be found on our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page.

Regular public transportation from the Bay Area to Sonoma County can be difficult to navigate and generally cannot accommodate much luggage. If you are flying into San Francisco (SFO) or Oakland (OAK) airport, the Groome bus will take you directly to Rohnert Park. The trip takes about 2 hours. Be sure to purchase tickets online prior to your departure flight. Step-by-step instructions on how to purchase a bus ticket can be found here. 

Buses pick up SFO passengers at the Arrivals Level, outside Customs in the outer roadway center island at the "Air-porters" zone. Buses pick up OAK passengers at the Ground Transportation Center platform marked "4D Scheduled Buses," directly outside the Baggage Claim across four lanes of traffic between the two terminals.

You should get off the bus at the Doubletree in Rohnert Park. The Airpot Shuttle can help arrange for a taxi to meet you at the hotel to take you to the SSU campus or to your off-campus housing. Or, you can arrange ride-share through Uber or Lyft via their apps. 

Located just 30 minutes north of SSU is our local airport. Though the majority of students fly into SFO or OAK as flights tend to be cheaper, STS is very convenient. However, watch out for flights that may have a stop at SFO or OAK. If you are going to land in SFO or OAK anyway, it would be easier and faster to follow the shuttle instructions above rather than getting on a connecting flight to STS. 

The STS Airport has several ground transportation options for transport to and from the Airport, including getting to SSU. The STS website provides an overview guide on where to find on-site car rental agencies, public transportation bus, airport transit service, or where to pick up a taxicab or rideshare phone app service – such as Lyft. For convenience, a taxi or rideshare is recommended to get directly from the airport to SSU. 

Sam's Taxi

707-588-8282

Ace Taxi

707-585-0211

Uber

Download the App
www.uber.com

Lyft

Download the App
www.lyft.com

Sonoma County also has a public bus that is free for SSU students to ride (unfortunately you will need to get your SSU Student ID Card first). For more information on routes, schedules, and fares, visit the Sonoma County Transit website.

If you are arriving in Rohnert Park several days before orientation, you may need to stay in a local hotel. The following is a list of nearby hotels. This is not a complete list, nor is it intended to offer any endorsement or guarantee.

Oxford Suites ($$$)

Oxford Suites has partnered with Sonoma State to offer discounted rates for our students and their family and friends. Oxford Suites offers a free shuttle service to and from Sonoma State University between 7am and 10am on demand as a driver is available. 

Click on this link to be directed to their booking site and use SSU for the discount code. 

707-584-0333
www.oxfordsuitessonoma.com
67 Golf Course Drive West
Rohnert Park, CA 94928

Best Western Inn ($$)

707-584-7435
www.bestwestern.com
6500 Redwood Drive
Rohnert Park, CA 94928

Doubletree ($$$)

707-584-5466
doubletree3.hilton.com
1 Doubletree Drive
Rohnert Park, CA 94928

Hampton Inn & Suites ($$)

707-586-8700
hamptoninn3.hilton.com
6248 Redwood Drive
Rohnert Park, CA 94928

Motel 6 ($)

707-585-8888
www.motel6.com
6145 Commerce Blvd.
Rohnert Park, CA 94928

Good Nite Inn ($)

707-584-8180
www.goodniteinnsonomacounty.com
5040 Redwood Drive
Rohnert Park, CA 94928

Sonoma State University offers one of the best on-campus housing facilities in California. 

Students who plan on living on-campus should visit the Housing website and apply as soon as possible.

All students have the option to purchase one of the meal plans available. These meal plans give students access to our Kitchens facility, which provides a wide variety of foods for our students for breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

Students arriving for the Spring 2025 semester should plan to move into their on-campus housing on Wednesday, January 15th or Thursday, January 16th, 2025 between 10am and 4pm. 

Our Housing website also has resources for students who wish to live off-campus.