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F-1 Student Visa
By law, an F-1 student Visa is required of all foreign students pursuing formal study in the United States. In order to obtain an F-1 student visa, a student must be issued an I-20 form by an accredited school approved by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS).Please note that prior to issuing an I-20 form, schools ask that international students pay half their yearly fees.What You Should Do: 1. Obtain a passport from your government. While in the U.S., your passport must always be valid for at least one year into the future. 2. Obtain an I-20 from the school. Carefully read the information on pages 1 and 2 of your I-20 form. The "instructions to students" section on page 2 is very important because it explains your responsibility while you are an F-1 student in the U.S. Sign your name at the bottom of page 1, and write your address in your country and your new address in the U.S. (10334 Diego Drive South, Boca Raton, Florida 33428). 3. Document financial resources available to you in the U.S. (a bank or letter from your bank indicating money on deposit/ proof of parent's net worth; and, letters of support from your family or sponsor). This financial documentation is evidence that you have enough funds to cover the cost of tuition and living expenses while in the U.S. 4. Take the following documents to the United States Consulate or Embassy closest to your home: a. Your passportb. A passport-sized photograph c. Your I-20 formd. Evidence of financial support (see item 3 above)e. Evidence that you will return home after you study in the U.S. (i.e. an airline ticket showing a prepaid return flight). If your papers are accepted by the U.S. Consulate official, you will be issued an F-1 Visa (please request for a multiple entry visa). This stamp in your passport will enable you to pass through customs, enter the U.S., and train at ETA. If you are applying for a visa less than 3 weeks before departing for the U.S., it may also be helpful to bring your airline ticket to the Consulate or Embassy to show your departure date to demonstrate the need to rush your application. 5. Traveling to the U.S. a. Keep your passport and I-20 form with you, do not pack them in your suitcases. b. When you arrive in the U.S., you will go through "Customs and Immigration." An Immigration officer will ask to see your passport, I-20 form and financial support documents. c. The officer will give you an I-94 card or "Arrival / Departure record." It is a small, white card. This card is important. Keep it with your passport at all times. It tells you how long you may legally stay in the U.S. as an F-1 student. "D'1S" may be written on your card, meaning "Duration of Status," while you study as a full time student, or while your I-20 is valid.
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