How to get an F-1 student visa to learn English in the USA

Artículo en español aquí: https://learnenglishinnewyorkcity.blogspot.com/2021/12/como-obtener-una-visa-de-estudiante.html

6 simple steps to apply for an English program

Studying abroad may be an impossible goal for many students just because of the application process. Passports, forms, visa, etc. make the wish to study abroad a big nightmare. To learn English in the USA, you may need to see these steps to apply correctly to the English program you want.

If you carefully follow some steps, this may not be a big problem. For example, the English Language Institute (ELI) at the College of Staten Island (CSI) gives you 6 simple steps and information on-line to start with the right foot! To learn English in New York at an English Language Institute, usually called ELI, can only require these simple steps for the application process. You can read the following steps or watch our Youtube video above.

Step 1: Application process - Be prepared to fill it out with personal information, passport number, passport's date of expiration, and emails and telephone numbers. Remember, given name is your first name; surname is your last name. In the USA, dates are usually written with the month first: September 13, 1988 or 09/13/88. You may find this in many forms: MM/DD/YYYY which means month/day/year. As an example, you can find the ELI's application here.

Step 2: Application fee - Many institutions usually ask for the application fee, which is a small payment to accept your documents. Some other institutions may charge document processing fees. Be prepared to know how to make wire transfers through banks or money transfer services since you will probably need to pay bank transfer fees. If the institution has a payment platform, this will ease the process for credit card payments.

Step 3: Passport - Institutions will ask for a copy of your passport. Some institutions may ask the application form and passport at the same time. With technology, the easiest way is through email with scanned PDF documents and some may still ask for hard copies. Be aware that your passport is at least valid 6 months after the completion of your program; otherwise, the visa may be denied or immigration will not allow the entrance.

Step 4: Bank statement or Financial support - In order to issue the visa, you will need to demonstrate you have the enough funds to study abroad and cover your tuition fee, study expenses, accommodations, meals, transportation, etc. ask your institution how much you at least need to have in your bank account to apply. If you have a sponsor, add additional financial support documents. Here you have an example of minimum funds for semester and summer terms to learn English in New York.

Step 5: I-20 - If you learn English at the English Language Institute at the College of Staten Island with an F-1 visa, you will receive an I-20 form. After you complete the steps above, we will issue an I-20 form which will be useful for the last step.

Step 6: Visa - With your I-20, you will be able to pay for the SEVIS online and and get your visa interview at the closest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Be prepared to take necessary documents for the visa interview. You got your F-1 student visa? You are ready to go!!!

To learn English in New York, or any other city in the USA, learn these steps and you may have a successful application.

Interested in learning English in New York with us? Apply to our ELI at the College of Staten Island!