Applying for an F-1 Student Visa

Congratulations! You have made the decision to study English in the United States at the International English Institute (IEI). With a Form I-20, you can apply for the F-1 student visa. Here are some suggestions to prepare you for making the application.

The Application: First go to the website of the American Embassy in your country <http://usembassy.state.gov/>. You will find instructions for visa applications in your language. You may e-mail the Embassy/Consular section if you have questions. The website will tell you exactly what you must do to apply including payment of fees and scheduling an interview appointment. You will need to take the following items with you when you apply for the F-1 student visa:

I-20: The I-20 says that you have been accepted as a student at IEI. Please read the requirements and have someone translate for you before you sign the Form I-20. It is a legal document.

Sevis Fee Receipt: You will need to pay a non-refundable $100 SEVIS fee to the government at www.fmjfee.com. Then print the receipt that shows you have paid the I-901 SEVIS fee to the US Government.

Passport: Your passport should be valid for at least six months past the visa application date. If you have an expired passport and/or other current passports, bring them with you also.

Picture: You will need to bring a photograph of you, which is no more than six months old. You will need to check with the Embassy for the size of the photograph.

Financial Documentation: Bring your original documentation from your bank and/or sponsor, which show that you have enough money to pay for your tuition and living expenses. This is very important.

Evidence of Residence: Bring any documentation that will show that you will return to your country after your studies in the United States. You must show what will bring you back to your country after studying.

Evidence of Prior Education: Bring any transcripts from your school. This information will help the visa officer evaluate your application.

The Interview: You will also need to be prepared for an interview. The interview will be in your language unless you speak English well enough to answer questions. You will need to be ready to answer questions about your academic plans, about the International English Institute, and about your reasons for going to the United States.

Before your interview do your research:

• Read all the information we have available in our website.
• Know why you want to study English, and why in the United States.
• Know what your plan is after finishing at IEI. Will you go to university? Which university? or will you return home? Why? What job or school?
• Go to the Internet and find information about Nashville (or Murfreesboro) and about Tennessee.

Before your interview know:

• that you cannot work in the United States.
• that you will be a full-time student.
• that you will be required to study English for at least 20 hours each week.
• that you will live with a host family.
• that studying English in the United States will help you reach your language goals more quickly than studying in your country.
• that studying English in the United States will prepare you culturally for university work, or for an understanding of the USA if you return to your profession.

Good luck with your visa application. We look forward to having you study with us.