F-1 visa is a non-immigrant category that authorizes foreign students' entrance into the United States to study at academic high schools, conservatories, colleges, universities, and institutions with language training programs.
Issued by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), an F-1 visa is generally valid for the period of study, including a grace period.
It is possible for an F-1 visa holder to transfer from one institution to another or switch academic programs by informing the USCIS of this change.F-1 status holders can travel in and out of the country, or they can stay in the country continuously until the completion of their studies.
To those applying for a student visa (F-1 Visa)
Before you apply for a new student (F-1) visa, you must complete Form I-901 and pay a $100 SEVIS (Student & Exchange Visitor Information System) fee before an interview at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy. You must keep a copy of the I-901 receipt which proves that the SEVIS fee was paid until you receive formal notice from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. You can pay the SEVIS fee by credit card, on the Internet, or by regular mail.
When you are ready to apply for the F-1 visa, you must contact the U.S. Consulate or Embassy to make an appointment for an interview. It normally takes about 30 days to issue your F-1 visa. After you have an F-1 visa, you may arrive in the U.S. up to 30 days before the beginning of class. Your start date for class will be indicated on your I-20 form.
At the interview at the U.S. Consulate or Embassy, the interviewer wants to see your I-20 to know that you can afford to pay for school and your living expenses while you are a student at the American Language Center. The interviewer also wants to see that you will return to your home country after completing your studies.
To apply for an F-1 visa in your home country, follow the steps outlined below:
- Submit the signed Form I-20 to the nearest U.S. Consulate or Embassy;
- Submit completed Form DS-156 (application for a non-immigrant visa);
- Show original valid passport (valid for at least six months);
- Pay the necessary visa fee;
- Show evidence of financial support;
- Show the acceptance letter from our college.
To get an I-20
If you wish to study in our program on a student (F-1) visa, you must first be issued an I-20 from Bloomfield College. The I-20 verifies that you are eligible to attend a full-time educational program in the United States.
To apply for an I-20, you need to submit the documents below:
1. ALC Application
You need to fill out an application form and pay a $150 non-refundable registration fee.
2. I-20 Application
To be issued an I-20, you need to complete an I-20 application and pay a $500 tuition deposit. This $500 goes towards your tuition. If you do not attend our program, this money will be refunded to you.
3. Financial Documents
In the I-20 application, you need to show proof that you or a sponsor can provide adequate financial support. We need to be sure that you have enough support to study and live in the United States as a full-time student in our program. You can sponsor yourself, have a sponsor in your home country, or have a sponsor in the United States.
Option 1- Self-sponsorship
Provide:
1) Bank statement in your name or a letter from your bank.
It should include:
- Your full name;
- The bank's full name and contact information;
- The date the bank statement was issued;
- The date the account was opened;
- Which currency is being used;
- The total balance of the checking and/or savings accounts.
You should prove that you have a minimum balance of $4,000-5,000 if you are enrolling for one session or $22,000 if you are enrolling for up to one year. The bank statement must indicate the average deposits and balances over a 6-month period.
or
2) Proof of income - A letter from an employer explaining your position, time employed, and salary, or previous year's income tax returns or receipts
Option 2 - Sponsors of cash support
Provide:
1) Bank statement in your sponsor's name
2) Proof of income from your sponsor
- Letter from your sponsor's employer on the company's letterhead or Certificate of Employment with most recent pay stub, or
- Income tax returns or receipts or
- If self-employed: Income estimate by a bank or private accountant.
3) Affidavit of support - A notarized affidavit form
Option 3 - Sponsors of free room & board
Provide:
- A notarized affidavit of free room and board
- Proof of income (see above)
- Photocopy of lease/deed, rent receipts, phone bill
* All of the documents need to be written in English and be less than two months old.Certified translators of documents in foreign languages can be submitted.
Option 4 - Other funds
Provide:
An original scholarship letter in English from your government or other organization.
(You may need additional support to meet minimum annual costs.)
4. Submitting Documents
When the American Language Center receives your complete I-20 registration form (including all necessary financial documents and a photocopy of your passport picture), ALC registration form (plus $150 fee), and tuition deposit ($500), your application will be processed.
You will receive an acceptance packet (including the I-20) in about two weeks. You can request express mail service if you pay an additional fee ($50-$100). You can pay by check, money order, or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover). To be officially enrolled in our program, you must pay the balance of your tuition before you start your classes.
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To Transfer to the American Language Center
If you are currently enrolled as a student at another language school in the U.S., you may transfer to the American Language Center.
- Submit the documents listed above to be issued a new I-20.
- Submit a transfer form completed by both you and an official at your current language school.
- After we receive the completed transfer form and issue a new I-20, you may begin studying in our program.