Visas and Logistics#

This chapter covers the practical reality of each program — where you will be, what visa you need, and how your daily life will actually work.

Which Programs Offer F-1 Visas?#

Columbia GS is the only program in this course that allows you to live in America on a student visa.

If You Are Attending Columbia GS#

Columbia GS is the traditional path — you move to New York, live on or near campus, attend classes in person, and have the full college experience.

Getting Your F-1 Visa#

The process is the same as any US university. After acceptance:

1. Accept your offer and submit your enrollment deposit
2. Receive your I-20 from Columbia's International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO)
3. Pay the SEVIS fee — $350 at fmjfee.com
4. Fill out the DS-160 at ceac.state.gov
5. Schedule your visa interview at the US Embassy or Consulate in your country
6. Attend the interview with your I-20, DS-160 confirmation, SEVIS receipt, financial aid letter, acceptance letter, passport, and academic transcripts
7. Receive your F-1 visa and travel to the US up to 30 days before your program starts

Columbia F-1 Requirements#

• Full-time enrollment: Minimum 12 credits per semester
• International services fee: $170 per term
• On-campus work: Up to 20 hours/week during the semester, full-time during breaks
• OPT after graduation: 1 year of work authorization (3 years for STEM degrees)

Living in New York City#

Columbia is in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of Manhattan. Living costs in New York are high:

• On-campus housing: Available but limited and expensive
• Off-campus housing nearby: Expect $1,200-$2,000/month with roommates
• Food, transportation, personal expenses: Budget $800-$1,500/month

Your financial aid package should include an allowance for living expenses. But if your aid does not cover everything, New York is an expensive place to have unmet financial need.

The Advantages of Being On Campus#

Despite the cost, being physically at Columbia has real benefits:

• Networking — you meet classmates, professors, and alumni in person
• Career services — Columbia's career office connects you to Wall Street, tech companies, consulting firms, and more
• Internships — New York is the center of finance, media, fashion, law, and tech. CPT and OPT allow you to work
• The Columbia experience — libraries, clubs, events, the city itself

If You Are Attending Harvard Extension (Online)#

Your Daily Reality#

You study from your home country. Your classes are online. You attend lectures, submit assignments, and take exams through Harvard's learning platform.

The Residency Requirement#

You must complete 8 credits on campus at Harvard in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Options:

• Harvard Summer School (June-August) — you CAN get an F-1 visa for summer study. This is the most practical option for international students. Attend one or two summers, fulfill your residency, and go home.
• Intensive weekend courses — some courses have required on-campus weekends. You would travel to Cambridge for a few days.

For the summer option, you would need:

• A tourist visa (B-1/B-2) for short visits, OR
• An F-1 visa through Harvard Summer School for full summer enrollment

Visa for Short Visits#

If you are just visiting Cambridge for a weekend course or intensive:

• A B-1/B-2 tourist visa or ESTA (if your country qualifies for the Visa Waiver Program) may be sufficient for short educational visits
• Check with Harvard Extension and your local embassy for the most current guidance

Working While Studying#

Since you study from your home country, your work situation depends on your local job market. The advantage is that you can work full-time in your home country while taking Harvard courses in the evenings or weekends.

Time Zones#

If you are in Africa, Europe, or the Middle East, Harvard's live online sessions may be in the evening for you — manageable. If you are in East Asia or Oceania, sessions may be in the middle of the night. Check course schedules carefully.

Many courses offer recorded lectures you can watch at your own pace, but some have required live sessions.

If You Are Attending UPenn LPS (Online)#

Your Daily Reality#

Very similar to Harvard Extension. You study from home, take courses online, and manage your own schedule.

The Two On-Campus Experiences#

The BAAS requires two limited on-campus professional experiences. These are brief and can likely be handled with a short visit on a tourist visa. Contact Penn LPS for current requirements and visa guidance.

Working While Studying#

Same as Harvard Extension — you work in your home country while studying online. This is one of the biggest advantages of these programs. You do not have to quit your job or leave your family.

If You Are Attending Cornell BPS (Online — Launching 2027)#

Your Daily Reality#

Identical to Harvard Extension and UPenn LPS — fully online, asynchronous (on your own schedule), from your home country.

No F-1 Visa#

The BPS is part-time and fully online. No visa sponsorship. No I-20. You study from home.

Working While Studying#

You keep your job and study around it. At part-time pace (6 credits per semester), the workload should be manageable alongside full-time employment.

Time Zones#

Courses are asynchronous — you watch lectures and complete work on your own schedule. This is a significant advantage over Harvard Extension, where some courses have required live sessions. No matter where you are in the world, you can study at times that work for you.

Practical Comparison#

The Big Decision: Online from Home vs. Living in America#

This is really the fundamental choice.

Choose Columbia GS if:#

• You want to live in America and have the full campus experience
• You want OPT work authorization after graduation to work in the US
• You can handle the $94,000/year cost (with some combination of aid, loans, and savings)
• The networking and career opportunities in New York matter for your career goals
• You want the same B.A. degree as Columbia College students

Choose Harvard Extension, UPenn LPS, or Cornell BPS if:#

• You want to stay in your home country and study while working
• You cannot afford to stop working for 3-4 years
• The total cost of $30,000-$86,000 is within reach if spread over several years
• You want the prestige name on your resume but do not need to physically be in America
• You have a family or other responsibilities that make relocating impossible
• Cornell BPS specifically if you already have 45-60 college credits and can wait until 2027

There is no wrong answer. It depends on your situation, your goals, and your financial reality.

If You Have a Family#

Columbia GS#

Your spouse and children can apply for F-2 dependent visas. Your spouse cannot work on an F-2 visa (unless they get their own work authorization). Your children can attend school. Factor the additional living costs into your budget — New York is expensive for a family.

Harvard Extension / UPenn LPS / Cornell BPS#

Since you are studying from home, your family situation does not change. This can actually be a major advantage — you do not have to uproot your family or handle dependent visa logistics.

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For a detailed guide to the F-1 visa process, check out my full visa chapter: The Visa Process — Complete Guide