International Student Admissions
An “international student” is someone who is not a U.S. citizen or immigrant. Some international students are already living in the U.S. when they apply and others travel from their home countries.
You are invited to apply to Minneapolis College and join our international community and the students from all over the globe who have earned a technical, career or academic degree at Minneapolis College!
If you have questions about the admissions process, please send an email to iss@minneapolis.edu.
Application Facts
- Apply as an international student if you are not a U.S. citizen and not an immigrant. If you are a permanent resident, refugee or person with political asylum status, apply for general admission as a new college student instead.
- You need a non-immigrant F-1 student visa to attend college. Learn more about visas
- You have to show proficiency in English and meet academic requirements for international students to be accepted.
- Federal financial aid is not available to international students.
- Acceptance into the college does not guarantee enrollment into career and technical programs. Your academic record and placement test results must meet the program requirements, and space must be available in order to enroll.
Admission Deadlines
- New Students currently outside of the U.S.
- May 1 for admission to the fall semester
- October 1 for spring semester
- No summer session admission
- Transfer student currently in the U.S.
- Spring 2024: Friday, December 22, 2023
- All transfer applications must have an online application submitted by December 22nd and must receive an acceptance email from iss@minneapolis.edu by December 29 to start classes on January 8.
No Exceptions.
If you have concerns about meeting the deadline please contact us.
- All transfer applications must have an online application submitted by December 22nd and must receive an acceptance email from iss@minneapolis.edu by December 29 to start classes on January 8.
- Summer 2024: May 1st (by request only)
- Spring 2024: Friday, December 22, 2023
New Student
(applicants outside of U.S.)
If you are a prospective international student applying from a foreign country seeking an F-1 Student Visa to complete a degree at Minneapolis College, please complete the steps to become an initial status student.
Initial status students are eligible to apply for admission to the fall or spring semester only. See the Academic-Calendar for fall and spring start dates.
How to Apply
- Complete the online application and pay the fee ($20)
- Complete the testing or courses to show proficiency in English
- Submit academic records (original/official documentation of high school completion) to show you have met the academic requirements for international students.
If you have attended University in your home country and would like to transfer credit, please submit your transcripts to Minneapolis College through ECE and WES. - Complete and submit the Financial Certification Statement form with supporting documents to show that you have funding for 1 full calendar year. If a sponsor (family, friend, other) will be supplying a bank statement to demonstrate a proof of funds, please attach along with the bank statement(s), an Affidavit (Letter) of Support by downloading and editing this template for each sponsor. Bank statements need to be recent, specifically within the last 60 days from the date of submission and show a balance of funds that are liquid assets (cash) from a checking or savings account. Any funding shown from a paycheck, investment accounts, real estate assets, etc. will not be accepted.
- Go online, complete and submit the Immunization Record for International Students
- If available, submit a photocopy of current passport
- Optional: Complete and submit the Release of Information Form for International Applicants
Where to Submit All Supporting Documentation
Email all documents as attachments to iss@minneapolis.edu OR
Mail your completed forms and all supporting documentation in ONE envelope to:
Admissions – Attn: International Student Admission
Minneapolis Community and Technical College
1501 Hennepin Avenue – Suite T.2800
You will receive an automatic acceptance email about 24 hours after the last document is recorded as complete.
As of October 21, 2021, we are able to provide all students with electronically signed Form I-20s so please check your email to receive directions on how to retrieve your I-20 and formal acceptance letter through MoveIt Securely. You will need to print and sign and date the I-20 for it to be valid.
Per F-1 visa regulations, you are permitted to arrive 30 days or less before the Program Start Date listed on the Form I-20.
Before Classes Begin:
- Complete Course Placement process
- Visit the course placement webpage to establish your placement in English and Math.
- Visit the Registration webpage. You will register for your first term classes via the online virtual drop-in academic advising session via Zoom. It is strongly recommended that you attend this virtual advising session as soon as possible after admission for the best class selection.
- Complete the international student orientation online. More information about the orientation will be emailed directly to you.
Change of Status (COS)
(applicants inside the U.S., not on an F-1 visa)
If you are already in the U.S and you are requesting to change your current visa status to obtain F-1 student status (example: B1/B2, F2, J1, H4) and enroll in courses at Minneapolis College to complete a degree, please complete the following process for admission to the College. To be admitted as an international student on an F-1 Student Visa you must be degree seeking and attend full-time (minimum of 12 credits). Students are eligible to apply for admission to the fall or summer session.
Note: B visa (visitors) can complete admissions steps while visiting the USA but are not eligible to enroll in college with a B visa. It is necessary to wait for approval of the change of status application by USCIS before you’re able to begin. These applications are delayed in processing and could take more than a year for approval.
How to Apply
- Apply for admission and pay the application fee online
- Complete the testing or courses to show proficiency in English
- Submit academic records (original/official documentation of high school completion is required) to show that academic requirements for international students have been met
- Complete and submit the Financial Certification Statement form with supporting documents to show that you have funding for 1 full calendar year. If a sponsor (family, friend, other) will be supplying a bank statement to demonstrate a proof of funds, please attach along with the bank statement(s), an Affidavit (Letter) of Support by downloading and editing this template for each sponsor. Bank statements need to be recent, specifically within the last 60 days from the date of submission and show a balance of funds that are liquid assets (cash) from a checking or savings account. Any funding shown from a paycheck, investment accounts, real estate assets, etc. will not be accepted.
- Go online, complete and submit the Immunization Record for International Students
- Submit a photocopy of current passport
- Submit a photocopy of current visa
- Submit a copy of current I-94. You may print the I-94 from the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol website or submit a copy of the white (I-94) card attached to your passport and submit with application materials.
- If you are a J1 visa holder, you must submit a photocopy of DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitors
- If applicable, submit official copies of all previous college/university transcripts. If your transcript is not in English, it must be translated into English by an evaluation agency (such as WES or ECE) or you must provide a certified, literal translation.
- Optional: Complete and submit Release of Information Form for International Applicants
Minneapolis College complies with federal and state laws and regulations. Unless required by federal or state law, no one else may review an applicant's file without written and signed consent of the applicant. An applicant has the right to grant permission to disclose or discuss information regarding their information with someone other than them self. In order to grant permission, an applicant must complete and submit the Release of Information for International Student Applicants form. Completion and submission of this form is optional. Completion and submission of this form also means an applicant is giving their consent freely and voluntarily and understands the consequences of granting their consent to another party.
Where to Submit All Supporting Documentation
Email all documents as attachments to iss@minneapolis.edu OR
Mail your completed forms and all supporting documentation in ONE envelope to:
Admissions – Attn: International Student Admission
Minneapolis Community and Technical College
1501 Hennepin Avenue – Suite T.2800
Minneapolis, MN, U.S.A. 55403
You will receive an automatic acceptance email about 24 hours after the last document is recorded as complete.
As of October 21, 2021, we are able to provide all students with electronically signed Form I-20s so please check your email to receive directions on how to retrieve your I-20 and formal acceptance letter through MoveIt Securely. You will need to print and sign and date the I-20 for it to be valid.
Per F-1 visa regulations, you are permitted to arrive 30 days or less before the Program Start Date listed on the Form I-20.
Before Classes Begin:
- Complete Course Placement process
- Visit the course placement webpage to establish your placement in English and Math.
- Visit the Registration webpage. You will register for your first term classes via the online virtual drop-in academic advising session via Zoom. It is strongly recommended that you attend this virtual advising session as soon as possible after admission for the best class selection.
- Complete the international student orientation online. More information about the orientation will be emailed directly to you.
International Transfer
(applicant with a valid F-1 visa transferring from a United States high school or college)
If you are currently enrolled at another U.S. college/university or English language school/institute and you are seeking to transfer to Minneapolis College to enroll in courses to complete a degree, please complete the following process for admission to the college. To be eligible you must already have a Form I-20 issued by the school you are presently attending. Transfer students are eligible to apply for admission to the fall, spring or summer session. See the Academic Calendar for fall, spring and summer start dates.
How to Apply
- Complete the online application and pay the fee ($20)
- Complete the testing or courses to show proficiency in English
Submit academic records (original/official documentation of high school completion) to show you have met the academic requirements for international students.
If you have attended a university in the U.S. that is not in the MinnState system, please arrange to submit those transcripts.
If you have attended University in your home country and would like to transfer credit, please submit your transcripts to Minneapolis College through ECE and WES.- Complete and submit the Financial Certification Statement form with supporting documents to show that you have funding for 1 full calendar year. If a sponsor (family, friend, other) will be supplying a bank statement to demonstrate a proof of funds, please attach along with the bank statement(s), an Affidavit (Letter) of Support by downloading and editing this template for each sponsor. Bank statements need to be recent, specifically within the last 60 days from the date of submission and show a balance of funds that are liquid assets (cash) from a checking or savings account. Any funding shown from a paycheck, investment accounts, real estate assets, etc. will not be accepted.
- Go online, complete and submit the Immunization Record for International Students
- Submit a photocopy of current passport
- Submit a photocopy of current visa
- Submit a copy of current I-94. You may print off the I-94 at the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol website or submit a copy of the white (I-94) card attached to your passport and submit with application materials.
- Submit a photocopy of current I-20 form
- Optional: Complete and submit Release of Information Form for International Applicants
Minneapolis College complies with federal and state laws and regulations. Unless required by federal or state law, no one else may review an applicant's file without written and signed consent of the applicant. An applicant has the right to grant permission to disclose or discuss information regarding their information with someone other than them self. In order to grant permission, an applicant must complete and submit the Release of Information for International Student Applicants form. Completion and submission of this form is optional. Completion and submission of this form also means an applicant is giving their consent freely and voluntarily and understands the consequences of granting their consent to another party.
Where to Submit All Supporting Documentation
Email all documents as attachments to iss@minneapolis.edu OR
Mail your completed forms and all supporting documentation in ONE envelope to:
Admissions – Attn: International Student Admission
Minneapolis Community and Technical College
1501 Hennepin Avenue – Suite T.2800
Minneapolis, MN, U.S.A. 55403
You will receive an automatic acceptance email about 24 hours after the last document is recorded as complete.
As of October 21, 2021, we are able to provide all students with electronically signed Form I-20s so please check your email to receive directions on how to retrieve your I-20 and formal acceptance letter through MoveIt Securely. You will need to print and sign and date the I-20 for it to be valid.
Per F-1 visa regulations, you are permitted to arrive 30 days or less before the Program Start Date listed on the Form I-20.
After being admitted:
- Submit completed I-20-Transfer-Form. This form is completed by you and the DSO (Designated Student Officer) at your current college/university or English language program.
- Complete Placement process (only necessary if your transcripts/English language institute evaluations do not provide you with English and/or Math placements.
- Visit the course placement webpage
- Visit the Registration webpage. You will register for your first term classes via the online virtual drop-in academic advising session via Zoom. It is strongly recommended that you attend this virtual advising session as soon as possible after admission for the best class selection.
- Complete the international student orientation online. More information about the orientation will be emailed directly to you.
Concurrent/Part-time Student
Student with F-1 student visa status currently enrolled at another U.S. college/university or an individual currently maintaining a visa (H, J, K, U) in the U.S. seeking to complete classes, but not seeking a degree or requesting an I-20 from Minneapolis College.
For more information, Apply as a Visiting Student at Minneapolis College.
International Student Guaranteed Admissions Program
Minneapolis College has a partnership with the following universities to offer guaranteed conditional admission to the university of choice upon admission to Minneapolis College. By choosing a partner university you will receive a guaranteed admissions letter along with the acceptance letter and F-1 visa document (I-20) to bring to the visa interview.
You will then complete 2 years of study at Minneapolis College and transfer to the university, though it is possible to change your mind and transfer to a different school. During your study at Minneapolis College, the university will contact you regarding admissions events and information.
Partner Universities:



To learn more about the partner universities, and to sign up for the Guaranteed Admissions Program, please visit the International Student Guaranteed Admissions Program webpage.