Visa Information

Getting Your Student Visa In Your Home Country

Once you have your letter of acceptance, a receipt of payment for the SEVIS fee and your form I-20, take these three documents, including your passport and proof of finances to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your country. This is where you will be issued a student visa. Keep in mind that you may be one of two to three hundred people applying for a student visa in a day and your interview may be only three to four minutes in length.

During your interview, the Consul will be determining whether you are telling the truth, whether your finances are in order and whether you will be returning home, because of strong family ties and/or employment, after you have finished your studies in the United States. Here are some suggestions to help you prepare for your interview:

  • Each U.S. Embassy Consul is responsible for issuing visas. Make sure you visit the website of the U.S. Embassy where you are applying to get the most recent requirements necessary. The U.S. Embassy's website is http://usembassy.state.gov
  • Make sure that you know why you are coming to the United States. Why did you choose the International Language Institute? You may have only a short time with the consul; it is a good idea to have all your documents arranged in a neat and orderly fashion. Put everything in a folder to hand to the consular official. Make sure that you are dressed appropriately.
  • In your folder have a cover page and on this page have a typewritten statement on why you are coming to the United States and what your educational goals are. This should be the first thing that a consular office sees.
  • Make sure that you have all your financial documents in order proving that you or a sponsor has enough money to take care of you while you are studying in the U.S. Include these documents in your folder.
  • Be aware of job prospects and the job market for when you return home. If possible, visit companies that might be willing to hire a person with your experience and could write a letter for you. If employers or prospective employers can write letters that say "with good English skills, a person like this could have a good chance at getting a job with us", then you have a better chance of obtaining a student visa. If you are planning on returning to your country to continue your education, it is a good idea to have a letter from that school stating how useful and beneficial English study in the U.S. would be.
  • During the interview talk about what your educational goals are and not "how you have always wanted to live in the U.S." or "how you hope you whole family can come later".
  • Do a practice interview with a friend. The friend can be the consular officer. Make sure that the interview lasts no more than three minutes.

For Additional Help Obtaining Your Visa

You can also get additional help by contacting an advisor at the EducationUSA offices in your country. To find the office nearest you visit: http://www.educationusa.state.gov

Transferring from Another School Within the United States

ILI must have the following documents before we can issue you an I-20:

  • A completed ILI Intensive English Program application.
  • Copies of your passport pages containing your name, birthdate, your current visa page and a copy of your I-94 from (the I-94 form is usually stapled into your passport).
  • A copy of all pages of your I-20 from the previous school (applies only to those already in F-1 visa status.)
  • Completed Transfer In Form.
  • Proof of financial support.

How Do I Change My Visa To An F-1 Visa?

To get a new visa, you must either leave the USA and apply for a visa at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy, or you can apply to change your status within the USA . You must apply to change your status BEFORE the date on your I-94 expires. If you entered the United States using a Visa Waiver, you are not eligible for a change of status. You must return to your country before the expiration of the visa waiver.

STEP1
Apply to International Language Institute of Massachusetts.
STEP 2
Apply for and receive an I-20. Please sign the I-20 on page 1 line 11.
STEP 3
A $200 SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) fee will be included in your ILI fees. This SEVIS fee is required by the US Department of Homeland Security for all students applying for a student visa. Please notify ILI if you would like to pay the SEVIS yourself. For more information regarding the SEVIS fee see the USCIS Fact Sheet.
STEP 4

The following documents will need to be mailed to the United States Department of Homeland Security:

  • A completed I-539 form
  • The ILI I-20 (make sure to sign it)
  • Proof of payment of the SEVIS fee (a copy of the I-901 receipt form)
  • The original I-94
  • Copies of your current visa and passport ID pages.
  • Evidence of financial support. We recommend bank statements rather than a bank letter. If you bring original statements we will make copies and certify that we made the copies for you, which is usually acceptable.
  • A letter from you explaining why you want to change your status. This should include: why you entered the U.S. on your current status, why you want to change to F-1 status, and the fact that you intend to return to your country after the completion of your studies.
  • $300 money order made out to United States Department of Homeland Security. We recommend a money order rather than a personal check.
    • STEP 5
    It is important that you keep COPIES of everything you send. After you have made the copies, mail your documents using FedEx, DHL, or certified mail so you have proof of what you mailed. Mail your documents to:

    United States Department of Homeland Security

    Vermont Service Center

    75 Lower Welden St.

    St. Albans, VT 05479-0001
    STEP 6
    Homeland Security will send you a receipt. A few weeks later, they may send you a BLUE LETTER (I-797) requesting more information. Please make an appointment with an advisor if you receive a BLUE LETTER.
    STEP 7
    Homeland Security will notify you of their decision. After your change of status is approved, bring your I-20 and new I-94 to Macey Faiella, Admissions Coordinator. We need to make a copy of your documents for our files. If you are denied, you must meet with Macey right away.

    ONCE YOU ARE APPROVED TO F-1 STATUS, PLEASE REMEMBER THAT:

    • 1) You now must register for and complete the Intensive English Program.
    • 2) Please note that YOU WILL NOT HAVE A NEW VISA. You will have F-1 student VISA STATUS, which means you can stay in the U.S. as long as you are maintaining lawful F-1 status by following all F-1 regulations. However, the next time you choose to leave the U.S., you must still go back to your home country and apply for the F-1 visa in order to re-enter the U.S.

    For more information contact Macey Faiella at (413) 586-7569 x117 or e-mail macey@ili.edu

    AAIEP ACCET IALC