International Student Admission

Located in Rochester, Minnesota, our community is known as a great place to live, work, and go to school. RCTC welcomes applicants from all over the world. International applicants are persons seeking admission to obtain a student visa or currently hold a non-immigrant visa. Persons defined as permanent residents (resident aliens), refugees, and political asylees can complete the general admission process (https://www.rctc.edu/admissions/getting-started/application/).

Please read all items carefully, as they contain valuable information regarding the admission process for non-immigrant visa seekers/holders.

International Student Admissions Process

Application Deadlines and Required Items

Persons seeking a non-immigrant visa (F-1 student visa) and will be traveling to the United States need to apply at least three (3) full months prior to the semester start date. See the Academic Calendar (https://www.rctc.edu/academics/academic-calendar/) for starting dates of semesters.

COMPLETED international applications must be on file in the Welcome and One Stop Center no later than the following dates:

Fall Semester:
Visa seekers/holders currently outside of the United States (overseas): June 1
Visa seekers/holders who are currently in the United States (stateside): July 1

Spring Semester:
Visa seekers/holders currently outside of the United States (overseas): October 1
Visa seekers/holders who are currently in the United States (stateside): November 1

Summer Semester:
Rochester Community and Technical College does not offer summer admission to F-1 visa seekers/holders.

F-1 Visa Eligible Programs

The below academic programs (majors) are the ONLY APPROVED programs for international students seeking an F-1 visa.

  • Business Management, Associate of Applied Science
  • Business Management- Hospitality, Associate of Applied Science
  • Business Management- Marketing, Associate of Applied Science
  • Business Transfer Pathway, Associate of Science
  • Communication Studies Transfer Pathway, Associate of Arts
  • Dental Assistant, Associate of Applied Science
  • Dental Hygiene, Associate of Applied Science
  • Facility and Service Technology (FAST), Associate of Applied Science
  • Mass Communication Transfer Pathway, Associate of Arts
  • Nursing, Associate of Science
  • Sport Management, Associate of Science
  • Surgical Technology, Associate of Applied Science
  • Veterinary Technician, Associate of Applied Science

Certificates and Diplomas under these programs are not eligible for an F-1 visa.

Required Admission Items

Non-immigrant visa seekers/holders are required to submit all below requirements. All items must be on file at RCTC by the admission deadlines listed above. If you have any questions about admission requirements for your non-immigrant visa, please email the Welcome and One Stop Center at onestop@rctc.edu.

Once all items have been received, it can take up to four (4) weeks for your application to be thoroughly reviewed. Please plan accordingly. Please email all documents to onestop@rctc.edu unless otherwise stated.

 

 

Post-Admission Process

Once all materials have been submitted, it can take up to four (4) weeks to receive an admissions decision. Students who are admitted to RCTC will also receive an I-20 form, or Certificate of Admission. The I-20 will allow students to make their visa appointment with the U.S. Embassy.

 

We Are Here to Help!

International Admission or Application Questions:

RCTC Welcome and One Stop Center
M1100, Main Campus
851 30th Ave SE, Rochester, MN 55904
onestop@rctc.edu
+1 507 285 7557

Emily Yang RCTC International Student AdvisorEmily Yang
International Student Advisor

#SS142, Main Campus

+1 507 280 5006
emily.yang@rctc.edu