International Student Services

• Complete an international student application.
• Financial statements, less than six months old, showing adequate funds to support the student for one year of study in the United States. The bank statement must show liquid funds in a checking and/or savings account. Please have the official letterhead of the financial institution and the name of either yourself or your sponsor.

• A copy of your passport page: must have at least six months validity remaining from the date that you will ENTER the United States.
• Proof of English Proficiency:  

• $50 nonrefundable application fee in USD, credit card, check, or money order), payable to Renton Technical College. This fee will be collected after submitting all the above required documents. For support with paying, please contact our cashiering department.  

Application Deadline

Prospective Transfer Student Application Process

International students who are already in the US on an F-1 visa may apply to Renton Technical College. Transfer students must be in-status to be eligible to transfer. Please note that Renton Technical College does not assist with visa changes.

• Prospective transfer students must complete the steps listed above, as well as:
  • Copies of all I-20s from schools at which you have studied in the U.S. 
  • Copy of your F-1 visa. 
  • Copy of your current I-94. 
  • Transfer student status form (to be signed by your current DSO). We will email this form to you to complete it.

Concurrent Enrollment

• In some cases, students can be eligible to study at two SEVP certified schools simultaneously. This is permitted as long as the combined classes fulfill the full-time study requirement for F-1 students. Please check with your DSO at your current institution to see if you are eligible.  
• Students who would like to participate in Concurrent Enrollment will need to complete:
  • International student application and get in contact with a DSO at internationaladvising@rtc.edu or make an appointment. Processing times may vary. 
  • If you want to take a class that requires a pre-requisite, please email your unofficial transcript to internatonaladvising@rtc.edu.  
  • $50 nonrefundable application fee in USD, credit card, check, or money order), payable to Renton Technical College. This fee will be collected after submitting all the above required documents. For support with paying, please contact the cashiering department. 
  • Students must maintain status at their home institution.

Not all RTC programs are eligible for International Student enrollment. Please see the listed programs below for eligible programs for F-1 enrollment. 

• Autobody Certificate and AAS 
• Automotive Technology Certificate and AAS 
• Baking Basics Certificate and Professional Baking AAS 
• Band Instrument Repair Certificate and AAS 
• Cloud Network Technology AAS-T 
• Commercial Building Engineering Certificate and AAS 
• Construction Management Certificate and AAS 
• Cybersecurity Analyst AAS-T 
• Field Surveying Certificate  
• HVAC-R Technician Certificate and AAS 
• Legal Assistant Certificate and AAS 
• Machining Technologies Certificate and AAS 
• Mechatronics Certificate 
• Medical Assistant Certificate, AAS, and AAS-T 
• Professional Cooking Certificate and AAS 
• Registered Nurse AAS-T 
• Welding Precision Fabrication Certificates and AAS

Please note that programs have limited space, and some have waitlists. Not all programs start every quarter. 

Please check the program maps for program start dates for your preferred program. Additionally, please check with an entry advisor and/or DSO on program capacity. Students on waitlists are not considered fully enrolled.

New Students Outside the United States

 After you are admitted to RTC as an international student, we will issue you an acceptance letter and I-20 form by email. The I-20 form will allow you to apply for an F-1 visa in your home country.

1. Review your I-20 form and confirm all information is correct (name, birthdate, major and program dates). 
2. Print your I-20 (have multiple copies on hand). 
3. Sign and date the bottom of Page 1 of your I-20.  
4. Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee online. Print the receipt and keep it with your I-20 form.  
5. Schedule your visa interview if applicable. Find your nearest US Embassy or consulate and complete the DS- 160. Check the estimated visa wait times.  
6. Prepare for your interview. Bring your passport, I-20 form, financial documents, and acceptance letter. During your interview you must demonstrate: 
   1. Strong ties to your home country and plans to return home after your studies in the U.S. 
   2. Sufficient funds to pay for expenses while in the U.S. 
   3. Legitimate intentions to study full time and gain education and training that will be helpful in your home country.  

Transfer Students in the United States

If you are currently in the United States on a F-1 visa, you will need to request to have your SEVIS record transferred from your current school to RTC.

You will be issued an acceptance letter from RTC. Please provide a copy of your acceptance letter to your current school, and request to have your SEVIS record transferred to RTC by your DSO.

Confirming Enrollment

After receiving your acceptance letter, please book an appointment with an entry adviser to discuss class registration, program requirements, testing and class capacity. Please register for classes as soon as possible as classes have limited space.

Planning for your Arrival

If you are approved for a visa, you will be allowed to enter the U.S up to 30 days before the program start date on your I-20 form.

Please arrive in Seattle/ Renton in time to arrange housing.   

RTC does not have on-campus housing.  

After you arrive, please book an arrival to the U.S meeting.

You will check-in to the Student Success Center located on the 2nd floor of Building I on campus. View our campus map for more.

Please bring the following documents: 

• Signed I-20 
• F-1 visa 
• I-94
• Confirmation of your current U.S Address

Health Insurance

All international students are required to have health insurance while they study at RTC. The health insurance fee is charged to your student account automatically every quarter. Health Insurance coverage begins on the first day of the quarter and ends the day before the following quarter begins.

RTC partners with ISO for group health insurance coverage.  

• Visit ISO's site for more details about plan information and finding a doctor. 
• After the quarter begins, ISO will email confirmations to all students on accessing their online account and insurance documents.  
• Concurrent enrollment students who are full-time at another college are not required to have health insurance through our college. 

Maintaining F1 Status

All international students are required to keep a full-time schedule (12+ credits) with at least 7 credits of in-person requirements. In-person modalities can be categorized as in-person classes, hybrid classes, and flexible (flex) classes. Students will work with their DSO on selecting an eligible program and confirming their class schedules are in compliance with their F-1 status on a quarterly basis. Please note, not every program RTC offers is eligible for international students. Please visit the "Eligible Programs” tab at the top for more information.

Additionally, international students are not eligible for any off-campus employment (this does not include CPT and OPT opportunities). Please visit the career services page and apply for any jobs available in handshake. Please note that international students are not eligible for on- campus work study positions.

Students are required to follow satisfactory academic progress. Students who fall below academic progress may be on probationary status or asked to transfer out if they are not able to stay in status with a full time courseload.

After their first quarter, students will transition from an entry adviser to their faculty counselor (based on program of study). Please visit the advising page for information on how to connect with their faculty counselor (current students only). 

For any questions regarding expectations, please contact a DSO.

Student Resources

• For current students, you may be eligible to apply for scholarships. Please visit the RTC Foundation site for more information.
• For assistance registering for classes, or signing up for a payment plan, please visit the Enrollment Services page.
• Email internationaladvising@rtc.edu with any questions.
• For on campus job opportunities, please visit our Career Services page. Students can apply for on campus positions through “Handshake.” 

Staff Member	Contact Information
Lindsey Smith Director of Entry Services	lsmith@rtc.edu (425) 235-6613 Office: I-229 Book Advising Appointment
Ronald Timm Student Success Specialist	rtimm@rtc.edu (425) 235-2391 Office: I-227B Book Advising Appointment