Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

Yes! First, pay your tuition deposit as instructed in your Admissions packet to secure your spot and then submit all required documents for the Form I-20 to be created. Refer to the step-by-step instructions article in the Admitted International Students Knowledge Base.

In general, you will receive your I-20 within 3-4 weeks of the date that your I-20 application is complete.

We recommend the following:

• Pay your deposit as instructed in your Admissions packet as soon as you are accepted to MassArt! Note: you are encouraged to pay your deposit prior to the stated deposit deadline.
• Submit ALL required I-20 documents through the Admissions portal or email them to admissionsop@massart.edu as soon as possible. Then, email us at intl.admissions@massart.edu to let us know visa processing times in your country are slow.

There is no formal deadline, but we cannot begin processing your I-20 request until ALL of the following steps have been completed:

• You are formally accepted to MassArt
• You pay your deposit to secure your spot
• You submit ALL required documents for the I-20 to be created

*We strongly encourage you to complete all steps as early as possible to avoid unexpected delays!

Applying for an F-1 visa is a multi-step process. See the article named: Planning to Attend in F-1 Student Status in the Admitted International Students content and follow the step-by-step instructions.

No, not if you complete the immigration transfer process by submitting the required I-20 application documents and having your previous school release your record to MassArt.

Yes, but you are only allowed to remain in the U.S. during the required residency portions of the program and you will need to apply for a new I-20 and visa each time you plan to enter the U.S.

The U.S. government requires students applying for F-1 international student status to demonstrate their ability to pay all tuition and living expenses in the U.S. without working (Graduate Assistantships or Fellowships are the only exceptions). That is why you are required to provide proof that you or your sponsor has such funding before MassArt will issue an I-20. Beginning one year after your program starts, off-campus work authorization can be obtained in certain circumstances. On-campus employment, for a maximum of 20 hours/week, is permitted sooner.

“On-campus” work means that you are being paid by MassArt, through MassArt’s payroll office (Graduate Assistant and Teaching Assistant positions are considered “on-campus” work). You can work on-campus up to 20 hours per week while classes are in session. Please find more information about on-campus employment opportunities here. After you arrive to MassArt, the International Education Center will provide additional information for F-1 students intending to work on-campus.

"Off-campus" work is any work (paid or unpaid) that takes place outside of MassArt's campus.

You may work off-campus only if you have first received Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT) work authorization through your International Student Advisor. You must have been in F-1 status for 1 academic year in order to be eligible to apply for CPT or OPT. More information will be available once you have begun your studies at MassArt.

Please refer to Health Insurance to learn more about MassArt's student health insurance plan, including waiver requests. Direct any questions not answered to the contact information on that page. Immunization forms should be uploaded to MassArt’s portal (hosted by CastleBranch), also referenced there.

Please contact the Student Billing Office.

Please refer to Housing & Residence Life.

• Prospective international students: Please direct questions about obtaining a visa and visa status to: intl.admissions@massart.edu
• Questions about academic admissions: Please visit Meet your Admissions Counselor or contact admissions@massart.edu
• Incoming MassArt Exchange Students: Please direct questions to international@massart.edu

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