This guide summarizes the visa regulations for entry in the United States of America. Please note that this information is intended as a guide only. As visa rules and regulations are often subject to change, Open Abroad cannot be held responsible for any mistakes or inaccuracies. We would advise you to visit the embassies’ websites or local visa application posts for the most up-to-date information.

This article outlines the steps that all prospective students must follow in order to successfully enter into the U.S. to begin their studies. Open Abroad recommends that all prospective students apply for an F-1 student visa. In support of an individual’s application for an F-1 visa, all of our language schools are authorized to issue a Form I-20 A-B, Certificate of Eligibility for Non-immigrant (F-1) Students.

Step 1: Agent sends required materials to Open Abroad

Once you have registered the student online, the following application materials must be emailed to [email protected] or faxed to Open Abroad at +1 (617) 849-5554.

• Copy of the student’s passport:Please note, passport must be valid 6 months after the course end date.
• Proof of payment:If you are paying by bank transfer, please send us a copy of your bank transfer receipt. If you are paying by credit card, we need to wait for a credit card authorization before proceeding to the next step.

Step 2: Student obtains a Form I-20 Certificate of Eligibility

Once all items above are submitted to Open Abroad, and it is confirmed that the student is eligible for I-20 enrollment, a Designated School Official (DSO) at the language school will issue the initial attendance I-20 through SEVIS. The I-20 will be mailed to the mailing address on the order.

Step 3: Student pays the $200 SEVIS I-901 fee

The Department of Homeland Security has implemented a $200 SEVIS I-901 Fee for any I-20 issued. Please be advised that Open Abroad is not involved in the administration of this fee. It is the student’s responsibility to make payment for this fee directly to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). Please note, the SEVIS Fee can only be paid by credit card, not by check or bank transfer. For more information regarding this fee or if you would like to make payment, please go to the U.S. Immigration website. Please note, when making payment, remember to print a receipt of the transaction since a receipt will be needed at the Embassy/Consulate during the visa interview in Step 4 below.

Step 4: Student applies for an F-1 visa at the US Embassy/Consulate

Once the student receives the I-20, he/she will need to visit the US Embassy/Consulate to obtain the F-1 visa. For more specific information regarding the appropriate documentation and procedures required for visa issuance, please contact the Embassy/ Consulate directly, as regulations vary per country. Please note, issuance of the visa is not guaranteed, even when an I-20 has been issued. Approval to issue the visa is made solely by the U.S. government at the Embassy/Consulate.

Step 5: Student enters the US

Upon arrival to the U.S., the student will need to be approved entry into the U.S. through the Port of Entry. To be approved, the student must possess a valid F-1 visa, Form I-20 and passport. All documents must not be expired and the name of the school on the visa must match the name of the school on the Form I-20. If the student lacks any of these materials, he/she may be detained and/or denied entry. If approved entry, the student will be given the Arrival/Departure document, also called the Form I-94. Please note, students who receive a Form I-515A at the Port of Entry must inform their DSO immediately upon arrival at the center.

Step 6: Student begins study in the US

After successful entry through the Port of Entry, the student must report to the center that issued the I-20 on or before the start date listed on the I-20. At this time, the student must speak with the DSO and attend orientation, in order to obtain important information and register for classes. A failure to report on the start date listed on the I-20 will result in termination of the student’s SEVIS record, thereby placing the student out of legal status. NOTE: F-1 students are not permitted to postpone their start date once they have entered the U.S. Postponements must be processed before traveling to the U.S. since an updated I-20 will be mailed to the student

>> Additional US visa information

Below we outline more information about how to obtain an F-1 student visa. F-1 is the visa class that the student needs to apply if his/her primary purpose for entering the US is to study. If you have questions that this document does not answer, please visit the US Department of State website.

Is the student responsible for obtaining a US visa in order to study at a language school in the US?
Yes. While Open Abroad is happy to advise on and support the application process, the student must make the application and provide all required documentation.
 

Part 1: Obtaining an I-20

• What is an I-20?/li>

  The I-20 is the document that language schools issue to students who are going to study with them full-time. It enables students to apply for a student visa at their local American Embassy.
   

• What do students need in order to obtain an I-20?

We need to receive a copy of the student’s passport, a filled-out application form, and full payment of the program in order to obtain an I-20.
 

• How much time does it take to get the I-20?

From the moment we receive the student’s passport, application form, and full payment, it takes up to 2 weeks for students to receive their I-20 via courier or express mail. Please keep this in mind if the student wants to apply for his/her visa as soon as possible, or if he/she has already made an visa appointment.
 

• What is the application deadline?

All English language schools in the US have rolling admissions, which means there are no specific deadlines. However, you should allow at least 2 weeks for Open Abroad and the school to process the student’s application and to issue the I-20. The process may take longer if you originally submit an incomplete application. Once the student receives his or her I-20 you should allow 2 months to receive the F-1 visa.
 

• Why is an I-20 important?

The I-20, also called a “Certificate of Eligibility", confirms that a non-immigrant has been admitted to a U.S. school that is approved by the U.S. government to enroll non-immigrants. The I-20 is issued by the Designated School Official (DSO) at the school the student intends to study at and is required by the U.S. Embassy/Consulate to obtain F-1 visa status. In addition, F-1 students must maintain a valid I-20 by studying full-time to remain legally in the U.S. after their start date, and communicate regularly with their DSO to ensure they maintain legal status while in the U.S.
 

• For how long will the student’s I-20 be valid?

The length of time printed on the I-20 is usually pre-determined by the number of weeks the student will be studying with the school.

If at the end the course before the I-20 expiration date and do not re-enroll (as in most cases), the DSO at the school will shorten the I-20 to reflect the early end date. If the student wants to stay for the full length of the I-20, he/she will have to pay for an extension/repeat of the course and continue to maintain full-time studies during the extension. After the last day of study the student will be permitted a grace period of 60 calendar days to transfer to another school or depart the U.S.
 

• Can the student’s I-20 be extended if I need more time to study?

If the student wants to continue studies after his/her I-20 end date, he/she can speak to the DSO to see if he/ she qualifies for an extension. However, I-20 extensions are not common and require the student to meet very specific criteria. Given this, it is important that the students pace themselves during their studies to ensure they meet their academic goals in a timely manner and hence complete their studies by the end date listed on the I-20. Please note that all requests for I-20 extensions must be made to the DSO before the last day of study. I-20 extensions will not be granted if requested after the last day of study. There are no exceptions to this policy.
 

• How will the student receive the I-20?

By regular mail or by courier. We strongly recommend using an express courier service for international shipments because this way the package can be traced. In general, the school will mail the I-20 by regular mail, in which case the student will not be charged a mailing fee. If the student elects to have the I-20 mailed by an express mail service, he/she will be charged a mailing fee. The average mailing fee is USD 50, but can vary depending on school and country of residence. Please note, if the student applies four (4) weeks or fewer before the start date, the I-20 will be mailed by express mail service regardless of whether or not the student requested the service, and an express mailing fee will be charged.
 

• Can start date be changed after receiving I-20?

Yes. The student can change his/her start date anytime before entering the U.S. Simply contact the school to confirm the new start date as soon as you know about the change. At that time, they will mail the student a revised I-20 to show the new study dates. Failure to notify Open Abroad about these changes may cause problems at the Port of Entry and/or U.S Embassy. Once the student enters the U.S., he/she cannot postpone start date. There are no exceptions to this policy. However, if the student wants to begin before the original start date, this is acceptable. Simply contact us and let us know.
 

• Can I change schools or locations after receiving my I-20?

If the student has not received their F-1 visa, he/she can change schools or locations at any time. Simply contact Open Abroad to confirm the new school or location and a new I-20 will be mailed from the new school or location. The original I-20 will be cancelled, so it should not be used at the U.S. Embassy or Port of Entry. If the visa has been issued, the student can change schools or locations, but he/she may need to get a new visa before entering the U.S. American law requires the name of the school on the I-20 to match the name of the school on the visa for successful entry to the U.S. If the names do not match the student may be denied entry to the U.S. Check with your local U.S. Embassy/Consulate to see if a new visa is required before travelling to the U.S.
 

Part 2: Obtaining an F-1 (student) visa

• What is an F-1 visa?

An F-1 visa is an immigration document that permits a foreign citizen to come to the US to study full-time for a temporary period of time.
 

• Does Open Abroad issue F-1 visas?

No. All visas are issued by the U.S. Department of State at a U.S. Embassy/Consulate abroad.
 

• How can a student get an F-1 visa?

You must first apply to Open Abroad. If eligible for admission, Open Abroad will issue an “Initial Attendance" Form I-20. Upon receipt of Form I-20, the student will need to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee online at www.fmjfee.com. The SEVIS I-901 fee supports the system that tracks students and ensures they maintain their visa status while in the U.S. After paying the fee, the student will then need to visit the U.S. Embassy/Consulate in their home country to get an F-1 visa.
 

• Which Embassy should the student visit?

In general, the student is expected to visit the U.S. Embassy/Consulate in the country for which he/she holds citizenship (i.e. the country that issued his/her passport). If this country does not have a U.S. Embassy/Consulate or if he/she is currently located in a different country to the one that issues his/her passport, they should contact the closest U.S. Embassy to see if they can accept the student’s application for an F-1 visa. To learn more about your local U.S. Embassy, visit US Department of State website.
 

• What documents must the student present to get an F-1 visa?

For a list of items required by the U.S. Embassy/Consulate for an F-1 visa, visit the website for your local U.S. Embassy at US Department of State website.
 

• How long does it take to get a visa?

The average wait time varies from country to country. See website to confirm how long it takes at your local U.S. Embassy/Consulate.
 

• For how long will the visa be valid?

Open Abroad does not issue visas and therefore cannot confirm for how long it will be valid. Instead, you should confirm this information with your local U.S. Embassy/Consulate.
 

• Can Open Abroad help me complete the government’s application for a visa?

No. Students are solely responsible for completing all government documents.
 

• What is the likelihood that the student will be approved an F-1 visa?

Open Abroad does not issue visas and therefore cannot confirm the likelihood of approval. However, you should note that visa issuance is not guaranteed.
 

• What happens if I am denied a visa?

If visa is denied, they should ask the Consular Officer the reason for denial before they leave the Embassy. They have the right to request the denial in writing as well. If the reason for denial was caused by a mistake on the I-20, the school can revise the I-20 and write a support letter to help the student get a visa during a second interview. If no reason or a different reason is stated, Open Abroad or the school will likely be unable to assist the student further. In most cases, the government’s decision is final and there is little Open Abroad or the school can do to change their decision.
 

• Will the student get a refund if their visa is denied?

The student will be refunded in full minus the courier fee, application fee, bank fee, health insurance fee, and any currency exchange differences. Please provide the letter of visa denial from the Embassy.
 

• Other requirements: Evidence of financial circumstances

Does Open Abroad require details of the student’s financial circumstances to support his/her application?
Yes. Most schools require a bank statement/letter showing that the student and/or the sponsor have enough funds to cover the cost of study and living expenses. In addition, it must show that all funds are readily available without penalty for withdrawal. For this reason, statements from current and/or savings accounts are best. Income statements, property deeds and other similar forms of investments are typically not acceptable.
 

• Can the student submit multiple bank statements if there are not have enough funds in one account?

Yes. They can show funds through multiple accounts and/or multiple sponsors, if necessary.
 

• Does the student have to show a bank statement even if I have paid?

Depending on the school, if the amount paid to Open Abroad is equal to or greater than the cost of study as indicated on the I-20, the student may not be required to submit a bank statement/letter. If the amount paid is less than the cost of study, the student will be required to submit a bank statement.
 

• How much money does the student need to show on his/her bank statement?

It is the cost of study (tuition, fees, accommodation) plus at least USD 125 a week to cover living expenses. Please note, we require all of our students to pay in full before the start date.

Part 3: Entry into the USA

• When can the student enter the U.S.?

The student has up to 30 days before the start date listed on the I-20 to enter the U.S.
Can the student enter the U.S. after his/her I-20 start date?
If the student travels to the U.S. after his/her I-20 start date, he/she will probably face problems at the Port of Entry, since it appears he/she failed to meet the requirement of reporting to the Open Abroad centre by the course’s start date. To prevent problems at the Port of Entry, the student should contact Open Abroad and ask that we postpone the start date if he/she is unable to arrive before this date. At that time, the school will mail the student a revised I-20 with a postponed start date.
 

• What documents will I need to show at the Port of Entry?

In general, the student must show the Port of Entry Officer the following documents. If these documents are missing or incomplete, he/she may be detained, questioned or denied entry altogether.
• A valid (non-expired) passport
• A valid (non-expired) F-1 visa with the name of the school the student will be attending printed at the bottom
• All three pages of the I-20 issued by the school the student will be attending (center name should match the name of the school listed on the visa.)

• What happens at the Port of Entry?

Please visit the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement website and review the document called “What a Student Can Expect." This document discusses what the student will need to do at the Port of Entry. It is available in English, Spanish, Japanese, Korean and Chinese.
 

• What is an I-94 and why is it important?

The I-94, also called the “Arrival/Departure Document", is a small white piece of paper that the student will receive when he/she enters the U.S. It will be attached to the passport/visa at the Port of Entry and it confirms successful entry into the U.S. The Port of Entry Officer will hand-write an expiration date on the I-94, which confirms how long he/she can legally stay in the U.S. Before leaving the Port of Entry, make sure the I-94 says “Duration of Status" or “D/S." All F-1 visa holders should get “D/S on their I-94." This means the student is able to stay in the U.S. as long as he/she is maintaining valid F-1 status by studying full-time at a Department of Homeland Security approved school. (Please note, he/she can only study as long as permitted by the expiration of the I-20.) If the I-94 shows a different expiration date, he/she should question the Officer, since the student may face problems after entry if he/she does not get “D/S."
 

• When does the student need to start his/her studies?

The student is required to arrive at the school and begin full-time studies on or before the start date listed on their I-20. If the student does not meet this requirement, their I-20 will be terminated, they will fall out of legal status and will have to leave the U.S. immediately. If the student is outside the U.S. and unable to travel to the U.S before their start date contact the school and they will update the student’s I-20 by postponing the start date. If they have already entered the U.S. the student will not be allowed to postpone their start date. There are no exceptions to this rule.
 

>> Visa terms questions

If the student is applying for a visa they need to allow 2 months before their desired start date of their course in the USA to ensure that their visa is in place and their accommodation can be arranged.

Yes, but we will need to indicate on the I-20 that he/she is travelling with dependents. Please provide us with their full names (as written on passport), date of birth and relationship to the student.

As an F-1 student, the student will be required to study at the school that issued the I-20 for at least 18 hours per week. The student will learn more about the school’s attendance requirements on the first day of class.

If the student does not meet the school’s full-time study requirements, the student risks falling out of legal status with the following consequences:
• I-20 will be terminated.
• Will no longer be eligible to study at the school.
• Will not be eligible for a refund.
• Will be required to leave the U.S. immediately after termination of the I-20.