International Students
International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO)
In addition to sponsoring visas for students and their dependents, the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) also offers guidance on maintaining visa status, campus employment, travel, and tax-filing obligations.
As a STEM-designated program, F-1 visa holders within the M.A. program are eligible to apply for the F-1 STEM OPT Extension. This designation enables students to apply for an additional 24 months of OPT authorization.
Students who are non-native speakers of English may elect to take courses to improve their English language proficiency. The University offers a variety of resources for refining one’s written and/or oral communication skills.
Student Life – Living in NYC and Columbia Neighborhood
Columbia University is located in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of New York City, an area dotted with an array of restaurants, coffee shops, bars, theaters, parks, and more. The Morningside campus is also just under a mile from the northwest entrance to Central Park, allowing students easy access to New York’s most iconic park.
