International Students
Welcome to PUC! The International Student Office is excited to welcome you to campus. We host numerous orientations and welcome activities at the start of each quarter to help new international students adjust to the United States, learn how to navigate campus, and make new connections with one another.
Make sure to visit the PUC International Student page for additional information.
Getting Settled
Living in Northern California is an exciting adventure! Find more information below for guides and resources to help you adjust to life in the Bay Area and at PUC.
Banking in the United States
It is recommended that you open a bank account in the U.S. to make banking, purchases, and payments easier and faster. There are many banks close to campus and you are free to open an account with any financial institution that you choose. It is recommended that you compare banking institutions to find one that best suits your needs for accessibility, interest rates, services and service charges. Some banks even offer accounts designed specifically for students.
Considering the type of cash demands and expenses that you will have as an international student, a good option is to open a Checking Account that provides you with a checkbook, ATM/debit card, online banking, Bill Pay, and a mobile app for your phone. Most large banks will provide these services for free, but you should always inquire about service charges before opening an account.
Opening a Bank Account
To open a bank account, you will need to bring the following documents with you to the bank:
- Valid passport
- Valid I-20 or DS-2021
- Most recent I-94
- Foreign ID (as a form of secondary ID, but not required)
- Social Security Number (if available, but not required)
- PUC Student ID (if you want to open an account specifically for students)
ATM Machines
Once you have a bank account, you will most likely receive an ATM/debit card. There is a Silverado Credit Union ATM machine on campus located in the Angwin Plaza. Although you can use an ATM card from any bank at this ATM machine, you may be charged a fee by both Silverado Credit Union and/or your bank for each use. To avoid these fees, it is recommended to always use your bank's ATM machine. ATM machines are located throughout the community at grocery stores, shopping malls and bank branches.
Buying Textbooks
The Fall textbook list is available at PUC's online bookstore, https://bncvirtual.com/puc. You can search for your textbooks by the course ID of each class. Some titles are available to purchase as an eBook. Additionally, some books are available to rent (be sure to track return deadlines for rental books).
Note: Be sure to keep all receipts and invoices in case you need to return any items.
Mobile Phone
We recommend all students have a mobile phone while at PUC. You can either bring a phone with a plan from home or arrange to have services here in the U.S. Although international students sometimes encounter problems enrolling in a mobile phone plan without a social security number, some providers are willing to offer services without it. Explain your situation to a provider and they should be able to assist you.
Due to PUC's semi-rural location, Verizon and the mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) that use Verizon's wireless network infrastructure are the only carriers that provide mobile phone service that works in Angwin, where PUC is located. If you already have a U.S. mobile phone and are not a customer of a "Big Four" U.S. carrier (AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon), you may want to do some research to learn whose network your MVNO uses since it may already provide coverage in Angwin.
Not being a customer of Verizon or an affiliated MVNO doesn't mean that you have to get a whole new mobile phone and provider. Internet access is available across campus, so using a VoIP (voice over Internet protocol) service such as Google Voice may be an acceptable alternative for phone calls and text messages while on campus. Many of these services are free and have apps that you can use on your current smartphone, but be sure to read the fine print for full details on potential costs, particularly for international calling.
California Driver's License
A California driver's license will allow you to legally drive a car in the U.S. If you plan to own or rent a car at any point during your time in the U.S., you will need to apply for a driver's license with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). To be eligible for a driver's license, you need to be present in the U.S. for at least 30 days. Applying for a driver's license before 30 days will cause significant delays with your application.
Your driver's license will be valid for the duration of the program as listed on your I-20. If you plan to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) and remain the U.S. for an additional year, you will need to renew your driver's license so that it is valid during OPT.
Please note that if you plan to own a car in the U.S., you are legally required to have car insurance in case you are involved in an accident. It is illegal to drive a car without insurance, so be sure to purchase a car insurance policy before purchasing a car. There are several car insurance providers in the U.S. and it is highly recommended that you research coverage and prices to ensure you have the best policy for your needs.
California Identification Card
If you are not interested in applying for a driver's license, you may apply for a California Identification Card to use as a form of identification. It is recommended to have either a driver's license or identification card so that you do not use your passport as your main form of identification. To be eligible for an identification card, you need to be present in the U.S. for at least 30 days.
How to Apply
It is highly recommended that you schedule an appointment with Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) field office to apply for a driver's license or identification card. Without an appointment, you could wait for several hours at the DMV. The closest DMV field office to PUC's campus is located in the city of Napa.
You will need to bring the following documents with you to apply for a driver's license or identification card:
- Valid passport
- Valid I-20 or DS-2019
- Most recent I-94
- Letter of support from the Center for International Programs
Where to Apply
Driving in the U.S.
You are legally allowed to drive in the United States with your driver’s license issued in your home country for a period not exceeding one year from the date of your arrival. You may drive a personal or rental car.
We recommend you obtain an international driver’s permit from your home country before arriving in the United States or attach an English translation to your national driver’s license.
You may apply for a California driver’s license at any time, either right away or after driving on your international license for one year. Please keep in mind you will likely need to take a driving test to obtain this license.
Health Insurance
All international students are required to have health insurance coverage while enrolled at PUC. You will automatically be enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) as part of your registration fee.Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is issued to international students who are required to file federal taxes based on earnings received from an academic or athletic scholarship, but are ineligible for a Social Security Number. An ITIN is a nine-digit number assigned by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and is used like a Social Security Number in the tax-filing process. If you do not receive an academic or athletic scholarship OR if you are eligible to apply for a Social Security Number, you will not be eligible to apply for an ITIN.
How to Apply
You will need to bring the following documents to the Center for International Programs for assistance with submitting your application:
- Completed and signed Form W-7, Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
- Copy of Passport Identification Page
- Copy of F-1 visa
- I-20
- Most recent I-94
- Letter of Support from the Center for International Programs
- Copy of scholarship award letter
Before submitting your application, have it reviewed by the Center for International Programs. You will need to mail the application and all supporting documents to the Internal Revenue Service. The application processing time is 4-7 weeks for the ITIN to arrive via mail to the mailing address listed on the application.
On-Campus Jobs
Many international students seek on-campus employment. International students who hold F-1 visas are generally allowed to work on campus. Certain visa restrictions apply and these will be explained at international student orientation.
You can search and apply for on-campus jobs at Student Employment.
If you apply for a job, consider the following:
- On-campus employers are most interested in your availability for entry level positions. When you apply for a job, you need to indicate when you have classes or other obligations on the application. If you submit an application without completing the availability section, the employer may not contact you.
- Employers may ask you to list a reference. Write the name of a former boss, coach or teacher and their email address. If you don’t have prior work experience or a reference available, you can still apply.
- Most student job openings happen at the beginning of quarters and during breaks between quarters. You may be able to work full time during the vacation months.
- If you apply for a job and do not hear back in a week’s time, you are welcome to contact the person in charge of hiring and express that you are still interested in the position. If the hiring manager tells you that you were not selected, it is acceptable to politely ask him or her why.
Social Security Number
A Social Security Number or SSN is a nine-digit number that is used to track your income and other wages earned. Social Security Numbers are issued to international students for work purposes only. Once you have secured employment in the U.S., you will be eligible to apply for an SSN. Without an offer of employment, you will not be eligible to apply.
Keep your Social Security Card in a safe place — DO NOT carry it in your wallet. The SSN is assigned to you for life and can be used to apply for credit in the U.S. To avoid having your SSN used for fraudulent activity, do not give it out over the phone or to people or agencies that you are not familiar with.
How to Apply
You will need to take the following documents with you to any Social Security Administration Office:
- Valid passport
- Valid I-20 or DS-2021
- Most recent I-94
- Job offer letter
- Completed application for a Social Security Card (SS-5)
- Letter of Support from the Center for International Programs (for on-campus jobs only)