Students who come from China or other countries to attend private K-12 schools in Orange County usually hold an F-1 student visa. Compared with local families, international families must complete several additional steps beyond application and admission: the school issues the I-20, the student pays the SEVIS fee, applies for a visa and enters the United States, and housing and guardianship are arranged in advance. This guide explains the process step by step based on official guidance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of State.
For a list of Orange County private schools that state they can issue an I-20, see Orange County Private Schools That Issue the I-20.
Which schools F-1 students may attend
Public kindergarten through grade 8
Not open to F-1 students
These schools cannot obtain SEVP certification, and F-1 students cannot enroll.
Public high schools
Up to 12 months in total
Federal law limits F-1 attendance at public high schools to a total of 12 months, and the student must fully reimburse the district's unsubsidized per-student cost of education.
Private K-12 schools
Any grade, no time limit
The school must be certified by SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program). Federal regulations set no limit on the length of study.
Beginning September 15, 2026, the admission period for F-1 students changed to a fixed period: it is based on the program dates on the I-20, up to a maximum of 4 years, plus 30 days before entry and 30 days after the program ends. Students whose programs exceed 4 years must apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for an extension, or depart and reenter to obtain a new admission period.
Six steps from admission to entry
- 1
Step 1
Choose an SEVP-certified school
Only SEVP-certified schools can issue an I-20. Schools can be searched by state with the School Search tool on the Study in the States website.
- 2
Step 2
Apply and take an English test
Most schools require English scores such as TOEFL, Duolingo or iTEP, along with a video interview and proof of funds.
- 3
Step 3
Admission, payment and the I-20
The I-20 is issued by the school's Designated School Official and delivered directly to the student or legal guardian. For students under 18, a parent must sign the I-20.
- 4
Step 4
Pay the I-901 SEVIS fee
The SEVIS fee for F-1 students is $350. It must be paid before the visa is issued and can be paid by another person on the student's behalf.
- 5
Step 5
Complete the DS-160 and schedule the interview
The student visa application fee is $185. Bring the original I-20, the DS-160 confirmation page and the payment receipt to the visa interview.
- 6
Step 6
Enter the United States
A student visa can be issued up to 365 days before the program start date; the student may enter no earlier than 30 days before the program start date on the I-20.
The visa application fee comes from the 2026 fee schedule published by the U.S. Consulate General in Guangzhou; appointment procedures vary by embassy and consulate, so follow the instructions of the local embassy or consulate.
Housing and guardianship must be arranged before paying the deposit
Federal rules
- Parents of F-1 students attending K-12 schools cannot obtain F-2 status to accompany the student
- The student should have formal legal documents naming a guardian and should have housing arranged before enrollment
- SEVP recommends that schools keep track of all of the student's off-campus housing arrangements
Requirements at several schools
- Orange Lutheran High School: requires a legal guardian residing in California and a school-approved host family
- Santa Margarita Catholic High School: the student must live with biological parents or with a school-approved host family
- JSerra Catholic High School: host family $21,000 for 10 months; students not living with a host family must show that they live with their parents
- Pacific Academy: host families within 15 miles of the school, providing three meals a day and transportation to and from school
International student requirements at six schools (2026-27 school year)
Orange Lutheran High School
TOEFL or Duolingo- English
- TOEFL iBT 73 or Duolingo 95
- Tuition
- $41,470, plus insurance $1,150 and registration fee $1,750
- I-20
- Mailed after the registration fee is paid
International students cannot apply for financial aid.
JSerra Catholic High School
TOEFL- English
- TOEFL iBT 60 or equivalent
- Tuition
- $48,500, paid after the F-1 visa is approved
- Other
- Application fee $150, registration fee $1,500, technology fee $750
Santa Margarita Catholic High School
TOEFL- English
- Minimum of 4 on the new TOEFL iBT 1-to-6 scale
- Tuition
- $41,000, plus application fee $350 and registration fee $1,500
- Note
- Does not offer English Language Development (ELD) courses
Servite High School
TOEFL- English
- TOEFL iBT 60 or TOEFL Junior 750
- Application
- Application fee $200, video interview, bank statement required
- Housing
- Host families arranged through a partner company
Crean Lutheran High School
Per school requirements- Tuition
- $40,810, paid in full by March 1; registration fee $950
- I-20
- Sent by email after enrollment is complete
- Enrollment
- New international students attend a summer program in the two weeks before school starts
Pacific Academy
iTEP- English
- iTEP SLATE Plus minimum 3.0 (out of 6.0)
- Funds
- Bank statement of at least $65,000
- Before the I-20
- Pay $7,100 first (includes I-20 fee, deposit, program fee and registration fee)
These requirements come from the international student pages of each school website, checked on September 27, 2026. The Sage Hill School and Harbor Day School websites state that they do not issue the I-20. Schools update their requirements every year; follow each school's announcements for the current year before applying.
Status and visa matters depend on each family’s circumstances. EDUBUS handles school selection, applications and interview preparation and does not provide immigration legal advice; for status planning, consult a licensed immigration attorney.
