FAQ

What is the Form I-20 and when do I need it?

F Students: Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status – For Academic and Language Students.”

The Form I-20 is an important document that you should keep safe, as there are a number of instances where you will need it, such as the following:

Pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee: Before you pay the I-901 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System Fee, you must receive the Form I-20 from a DSO at the school you plan to attend. You will need information from the Form I-20 to pay the fee. The I-901 SEVIS Fee is mandatory and must be paid before you enter the United States.
Apply for a nonimmigrant visa: The Form I-20 lists the date in which you are allowed to enter the United States. F-1 and M-1 student visas can be issued up to 120 days in advance of your course of study start date. Your type of student visa must match the type of I-20 you have (e.g., F-1 or M-1).
Enter the United States: You need to have your Form I-20 on hand as you enter the country. Do not pack it away in your suitcase. A U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer will instruct you to present your Form I-20 at the port of entry. You may arrive up to 30 days before the start date listed on your Form I-20.
Apply for benefits: Your Form I-20 proves that you are legally enrolled in a program of study in the United States. Therefore, it may be needed when you apply for the benefits available to F and M students. If you are eligible to apply for a driver’s license or a social security number, remember to bring your Form I-20 with you.

Any questions that you have about the Form I-20 can be answered by the DSO at your school.

Course of Study Requirements for F-1 Student Visa Applicants with ESL-Plus (1920 hours)

In order to pursue a full-time ESL-Plus course of study eligible for F-1 student visa application, students must:

attend four hours per day, five days per week
maintain satisfactory academic progress
have English language skills acquisition as their primary educational objective
consult with a Faculty Student-Services Associate to select an appropriate sequence of courses from among those ESL-only and ESL-plus courses listed in the following “Course Description” section.

Student Visa Applications (Form / I-20)

The Institute is authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant foreign students.

A foreign student may register by mail, email, online or through a relative or friend in the United States.

Please provide the following:

a copy of the passport page (or national identity document) which shows student's full name, birth date, country of birth and citizenship
address in the United States
permanent address abroad
duration of initial session course of study desired
information showing the student's means of support for an academic term.
payment of the required tuition deposit. (This amount is deducted from the total tuition for the course selected.)
certificate or transcript from the last school attended. Transcripts and certificates are not returned.

The Institute will complete the Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility) and send it to the student for presentation to the proper consular officials. Upon providing this information, the student will receive a copy of the Enrollment Agreement for his/her signature.

A copy of the Enrollment Agreement is retained by the Institute.