Orientation Dates

January 6, 2020

Time: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. 
Location: CSN West Charleston Campus, 6375 West Charleston Blvd, Paul Meachum Building D, Room 101 

1. Pen or pencil
2. Credit card to pay for your health insurance 
3. Passport(s) and I-20

An F or M student visa allows you to travel to the United States for your studies. Getting a visa takes time.  If you want to know how long it will take, click here for visa wait times for your city

In order to apply for a visa, complete the steps below:

1. Apply to a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school and gain acceptance.
2. Pay the I-901 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) Fee. Regulation requires all prospective F and M students to pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee before the U.S. Department of State issues you a visa.
3. Identify the U.S. Embassy or Consulate that is most convenient for you to visit.
4. Visit the website of the embassy or consulate you will visit, and follow the instructions on the site to:
   • Pay your visa fee,
   • Obtain acceptable photographs,
   • Complete your online DS-160 visa application,
   • Get a list of all required documents you must bring, and
   • Schedule your visa interview appointment.

For more information on submitting a student visa application, visit the official Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs website Travel.State.Gov. 

VISA RESOURCES

U.S. Embassies and Consulates around the globe have produced short informational videos to help prepare applicants for the nonimmigrant visa application process. To find out what the process can be like, check out these links below:

• London, U.K. (3:09) 
• Amman, Jordan (3:52) 
• Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (7:01) 
• Ankara, Turkey (2:35) 
• Dubai, UAE (4:04) 
• Manila, Phillipines 
• Osaka-Kobe, Japan (3:16) 
• Mumbai, India (4:07) 

These videos talk specifically about temporary intent:

• What Does Temporary Intent Mean, How to Apply from the Embassy in Nassau, Bahamas (6:11) 
• Interview Tips From the Embassy in Seoul, Korea (2:09) 

Check out these links for information just for students:

• F-1 FAQs from the Embassy in Hyderabad, India (5:06) 
• A Guide on What Not to Do From the Consulate in Frankfurt, Germany (6:27) 
• Student Visa Day at the Embassy in New Delhi, India (4:29) 

You can also read more about preparing for your visa appointment on the Study in the States visa resource page.

CSN's Student Health Plan is an affordable health insurance plan tailored to meet the health care needs of CSN international students. It features year-round, world-wide coverage. This means students can receive medical care whenever they are sick or injured for just $1,236.67 per year.

Click to purchase or learn more about the 2019 - 2020 USI International Student Health Insurance plan

Health Insurance Waiver Policy & Procedure: Students must enroll in CSN's approved health insurance plan or demonstrate that they are a dependent on an insurance plan of a spouse or parent or sponsor that is equal to or better than the plan offered at CSN.  To waive CSN's health care coverage, contact the International Center for further information.

SPECIAL NOTE: All international students on an F-1 visa are required to have health insurance coverage the entire semester. They will only be allowed to register for courses after they have purchased insurance.

All new CSN students are required to take the Accuplacer English and Math placement tests before they can take any English or Math courses.  

ESL students must take the ESL placement test administered by the Languages Department in the Languages Lab

Accuplacer Practice tests and tips can be found at the following:   Math Placement Practice   English Placement Test Practice

Accuplacer Placement tests are free and may be taken twice in a six month period.

This five week, one credit class is designed to assist students with F-1 visas overcome the difficulties often experienced with achieving academic success in the USA.  Particular attention will be paid to understanding the complex relationship between academic policies and immigration regulations.  Students will learn techniques for successfully managing cultural adjustment issues and acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to attain their goals. 

All students who are new to CSN must register for CAPS 128 class in their first semester. 

CSN does not have any on-campus housing, which means students either live with homestay families or in apartments.

Option #1 Homestay

Homestay service is coordinated by a private contractor, not a CSN employee. Home stay students live with Las Vegas families and generally will have access to a private or shared bedroom room, bath, kitchen and other facilities as a member of the family. Please plan on applying for homestay at least two months prior to your arrival.

For more information about the homestay programs, contact: 

Stacy Burn - phone:1-702-812-9188, email: Contact Us  

OR

Imad Banimenia - phone: 1-617-695-3571, email: Contact Us

Option #2 Apartments for Rent Near CSN

Before you sign a rental agreement, you might want to wait until after you've selected your courses for the first semester.  CSN has three campuses, and they are located several miles apart from each other.  The campus addresses are listed below so that you can map out their location before making a decision about where to live.

Henderson Campus Address: 700 College Dr., Henderson, NV 89002

North Las Vegas Campus Address: 3200 East Cheyenne Ave. North Las Vegas, NV 89030

Charleston Campus Address: 6375 West Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89146

Vista Del Rey Apartments

Located within walking distance of CSN's Charleston Campus, Vista Del Rey offers affordable furnished an unfurnished apartments.  Contact Usfor international student housing opportunities.

Additional resources to find Las Vegas apartments:

ABODO

Apartment Guide

College Concierge

ForRentUniversity

Hotpads.com

Review Journal (click "Homes" then "For Rent")

Rentberry

RENTCafe.com

CSN's Roommate Finder on Facebook  

http://www.facebook.com/pages/College-of-Southern-Nevada-Roommate-Finder/192503324173081

Student Furniture Rentals - CORT
6625 Arroyo Springs Street Suite 130
Las Vegas, NV 89113
Tel. (702) 882-7368
CORT Furniture Las Vegas Website

DISCLAIMER: Off-campus housing information is provided solely as a courtesy. CSN does not inspect, endorse or assume any responsibility for any properties, accommodations, or other housing options or websites; and it expressly disclaims any and all responsibility for any problems that may arise within connection therewith. Individuals are strongly advised to thoroughly investigate and inspect any properties, accommodations, or other housing options before making final arrangements.

Group shuttles: For an economical way to get from the airport to most major hotel/resorts, you can take a group shuttle.  Group shuttles make multiple stops at locations along the way, so relax and enjoy the spectacular view.

Public buses: Las Vegas has a very large public bus network.  Exact cash is required if you do not have a bus pass.  Special college passes are available to CSN students.   College passes must be purchased on-campus or at the RTC Administration Building, 600 S. Grand Central Pkwy. Must have College Student ID when purchasing the pass. When riding, College ID’s must be presented when using College Transit Passes.  College ID’s are not valid for purchase of reduced fares on board vehicles or at vendor locations.

Ride share services: Lyft and Uber, operate all over the Las Vegas valley, but you must be a Lyft or Uber customer before you can request a pick up.  There is no exchange of money between the driver and passenger.  Lyft and Uber are currently authorized to provide ride sharing services at the airport.  Simply arrange for a ride using the app on your smart phone or mobile device.  Airport pick up is on Level 2M in Terminal 1 and Valet Level in Terminal 3.

Taxicab: There are many taxi companies in Las Vegas and the Nevada Taxicab Authority regulates them.  Payment options are usually cash or credit card, but not all taxis accept credit cards.

Click here for information about transportation from McCarrain Airport.