LEARN MORE ABOUT THE STUDENT VISA (F-1)
Apply for the Student Visa only if you intend to become a full-time student in the United States.
The Student Visa (F-1) allows you to register for full-time courses in a college, university or language school. A full-time course in an American college or university generally consists of four classes that total 12 credits (units). In a language school a full-time course is determined by the number of hours you take per week. For example, a full-time course at the IELI consists of 18 hours per week. You cannot register for part-time courses if you have F-1 status.
To apply for the F-1 in order to become a student at the IELI, you must...
- Have a passport with an expiration date of more than 5 months into the future.
- Apply for the I-20 form and register for the semester you want to attend.
- Contact the American Embassy and request an appointment for the F-1.
- Prepare for a possible interview with an embassy official about your visa request.
- Show the embassy official proof that you can pay for your educational and living expenses in the U.S.
If your F-1 application is approved, you will be permitted to travel to the U.S. on a student visa. PLEASE NOTE: Once you enter the U.S. you must go to the school that accepted your admission request and begin your course of study there. You cannot attend a different school without permission from Immigration. It is a very serious violation!
If your F-1 visa is denied, you may need to wait a few months before you can apply again. Ask the embassy official to give you a copy of his/her written decision so that you can read and understand the reason(s) for the denial. Contact the IELI International Student Adviser if you need any help or advice. You can email your questions to: ieliss@hunter.cuny.edu
