What Is the Division of International Education at SF State?
The Division of International Education at San Francisco State University is the campus office that manages international education and exchange. It serves both international students and scholars coming to SF State and SF State students going abroad. If you are an F-1 or J-1 student, an exchange participant, or a student planning to study abroad, this is the office that handles your immigration documents, advising, and related services.
What the Division Does
The Division of International Education oversees international education and exchange at SF State. Its work covers two main directions:
- Inbound international students and scholars — people coming to SF State from other countries, including F-1 and J-1 visa holders.
- Outbound study abroad — SF State students participating in education abroad and exchange programs.
The office is the administrative home for these functions, which means it is where you go for immigration-related matters, program coordination, and the forms and deadlines tied to international status.
Who It Serves
| Group | What the Division handles |
|---|---|
| F-1 students | Immigration advising, status maintenance, related documents |
| J-1 students and scholars | Exchange visitor advising and program support |
| Exchange participants | Coordination of exchange programs |
| SF State students going abroad | Study abroad and exchange program administration |
If your situation involves an F-1 or J-1 visa, or an exchange program, the Division of International Education is the relevant office rather than a general student services desk.
Key Services
Based on the office's scope, its services center on:
- Immigration advising for F-1 and J-1 students and scholars, including questions about maintaining status.
- Study abroad and exchange administration for SF State students.
- Forms and deadlines related to international programs and immigration processes.
Because immigration rules and program deadlines change, always confirm current requirements directly with the Division rather than relying on secondhand information.
How to Contact or Visit
The Division of International Education is part of SF State and maintains its website at international.sfsu.edu. Use that site to find:
- Current contact information and office location
- Forms you need to submit
- Deadlines for applications and immigration processes
- Advising options and how to schedule them
For anything time-sensitive — visa status, document deadlines, program applications — check the website first, then contact the office directly to confirm.
How It Differs from Other Campus Offices
The Division of International Education is not the same as general admissions, the registrar, or a department academic advisor. Its focus is specifically international:
- Immigration and visa status (F-1, J-1) → Division of International Education
- Study abroad and exchange programs → Division of International Education
- Course registration, grades, degree requirements → your college or department advisors
- Admissions decisions → the admissions office
If your question is about your visa, your international status, or studying abroad, start with the Division.
Getting Started as a New International Student
- Confirm your visa category — know whether you are F-1 or J-1, since services and requirements differ.
- Go to international.sfsu.edu — this is the entry point for forms, deadlines, and contact details.
- Check your specific requirements — look for the section matching your status (new F-1, new J-1, exchange) and follow the listed steps.
- Complete required forms by the posted deadlines — international processes are deadline-driven, so treat these dates as firm.
- Contact the office with questions — use the contact information on the site if anything is unclear before a deadline.
The exact steps and documents depend on your status and program, so verify each one on the Division's site rather than assuming a general process applies.