Canadian Students - Our Northern Neighbors

ARE YOU one of our northern neighbors?

  • Do you plan to commute from Ontario or will you live in the U.S.? Commuters or “border crossers” may be part-time students or full-time but plan on earning a degree or certificate at OCC.
  • Do you plan to be a full-time student or part-time student?  Canadians who want to live in the U.S. while studying must be full-time students.

Commute from Ontario

  • Apply to OCC online.
  • Contact us.
  • Fill out the International Student Information Form and send to the International Student Advisors (ISA).
  • Take placement tests and meet with an academic counselor.
  • Register for classes and pay tuition.
  • If you are going to study full-time, the ISA will prepare an I-20 for the estimated length of your associate degree program and give instructions on how to apply for F-1 status at the U.S. port of entry.
  • If you are going to study part-time, the ISA will prepare an I-20 for the current semester and give instructions on how to apply for F-1 status at the U.S. port of entry.
  • Prior to applying for entry to the U.S. at the border, students must pay a fee online (I-901), print off a receipt of payment and take the receipt to the border. 

 Live in U.S.

  • Apply to OCC and complete the steps for I-20 issuance.
  • Choose a full-time program of study.
  • Contact us.
  • Canadians living in the U.S. must study full-time during the fall and winter semesters.  I-20’s are issued for the estimated length of time it will take the student to complete a program.
  • After receipt of I-20, student can enter at a US port of entry starting 30 days before or prior to program start date. Prior to going to the border, students must pay a fee (I-901) online, print off a paid receipt and then take the receipt to the border with the I-20.
  • Customs and Border Protection will allow the student entry to the U.S. in F-1 status and issue an I-94.