ESL Instruction & Consulting, Inc. is authorized to provide students with I-20s, the forms used in the United States for internationals to apply for student visas. You must be accepted into an academic program before you can obtain an I-20. The form will be provided to you by the school who has accepted you into their program, after you have met the application requirements of the school.

Click a link below for more information:

What to do for a new I-20 to enter the U.S.

What you need at the embassy or consular office

Other helpful things to do before you leave

Other helpful things to bring with you

What to do for a transfer from another city or school

Checklist for Change of Status request

WHAT TO DO FOR A NEW I-20 TO ENTER THE U.S.

1. Fill out and sign an application form.

2. Fax or mail a photocopy of your passport information showing your name, date of birth and passport expiration date. You must be at least 18 years old to take courses at our school.

3. With your application, you should send financial documentation that shows your ability to pay for your first year of full-time study. The amount needed to show this is $18,000. This figure is an approximation of what it will cost for tuition and living expenses for one year. All documents must be in English and amounts must be shown in U.S. dollars. If the bank cannot provide this information in English, the original documents plus a translation into English by a certified translator should be provided.

A. If you have your own funds, this can be done most easily by providing an original bank statement or a letter on bank letterhead showing your name and at least $18,000 and dated within the last 60 days.

B. If you have a sponsor, you need a notarized letter from the sponsor promising to pay $18,000 for your studies in the US and proof that the sponsor can afford to provide this amount for your support. The proof is most easily shown through a bank statement showing that figure in savings if this is possible. The sponsor letter and proof of ability to support should be dated within the last 60 days.

4. Read and sign the Enrollment Agreement. Please ask if you have any questions regarding this document. Then return it to us.

5. Provide your mailing address, telephone number, and e-mail in your country.

6. A $300.00 payment ($50 application processing fee, $50 postage and handling charges, and $200 registration fees) is required to sign up for classes. $200 of this is refundable if your request for a student visa is denied. TO RECEIVE THIS REFUND, YOU MUST RETURN THE ORIGINAL I-20 ALONG WITH PROOF THAT YOU VISITED THE EMBASSY OFFICE AND WERE DENIED A STUDENT VISA. You may call in or fax credit card information to us. Otherwise, mail a check or money order (DO NOT MAIL CASH) to the following address:

ESL Instruction & Consulting, Inc.
42 Broad St., NW
Atlanta, GA 30303 U.S.A.

*** The application, photocopy of passport information and financial documentation may all be provided via fax to (404) 577-2360 if time is an issue.

The original financial documents must be taken to the Embassy Office at the time of the appointment for a student visa request along with the passport, passport photos and proof of plans to return to your country upon completion of your studies in the U.S.

7. MEDICAL INSURANCE. Medical insurance is required and will be added to your tuition cost at the beginning of each session if you have not made other arrangements. The cost is approximately $110 per session or $550 per year.

The tuition balance is due before the first day of classes.

For additional information call: ESL Instruction & Consulting: (404) 577-2366

ONCE YOU ARE ACCEPTED INTO OUR PROGRAM, WE WILL COMPLETE YOUR FORM I-20 AND SEND IT TO YOU. THIS IS WHAT YOU WILL TAKE TO YOUR EMBASSY OR CONSULAR OFFICE TO REQUEST THE STUDENT VISA.

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WHAT YOU NEED AT THE EMBASSY OR CONSULAR OFFICE

You will need various documents to support your visa application. Prepare carefully for your visit to the US embassy or consulate. Read all documents thoroughly, so that you know exactly what you are agreeing to when you enter the United States on a student visa.

Visa procedures vary slightly from one embassy or consulate to another. Check with the office where you will apply to determine exactly what supporting documentation will be required of you. Several items are generally required:

· A current, valid passport
· An I-20 form in order to request the F-1 visa
· Evidence of financial support
· Proof that you have a permanent residence outside the United States
· One or more passport-type photographs

Additional application materials may be requested by the visa officer to prove your eligibility. These may include:

· Evidence of some English proficiency
· Evidence of strong ties to your home country
· More evidence of your ability to support yourself while in the United States

The embassy or consular officer will place a visa in your passport. If you receive a multiple-entry visa, you may use it to re-enter the United States up to the date of it's expiration as long as you have a valid I-20. If you encounter any problems obtaining your visa, contact the school and we will assist you.

(Source: NAFSA's International Student Handbook)

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OTHER HELPFUL THINGS TO DO BEFORE YOU LEAVE

1. If you are being sponsored by an organization, notify that organization of your plans. Maintain contact with the sponsoring organization, which can assist with pre-departure arrangements.

2. Medical insurance is required prior to starting classes. We recommend that you get this before you leave. However, if you do not, we can recommend a company that has reasonable rates.

3. Make travel arrangements as soon as possible. Plan to arrive in Atlanta at least one week before classes begin. You may come up to thirty days prior to the beginning of the class. Please come to the school as soon as you arrive so that you can take a placement test and reserve classes at the proper level.

4. Buy traveler's checks to cover your first month in the US.

5. Label your luggage inside and out with your name and the address of our school. Know your airline's luggage policy.

6. Reconfirm your flight reservations 72 hours before departure.

7. Pack a travel bag with personal articles to use in case your luggage is temporarily lost in transit.

8. Give your family a contact number for your first few days here, such as the number of the school.

(Source: NAFSA's International Student Handbook)

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OTHER HELPFUL THINGS TO BRING WITH YOU

Plan to bring with you to the United States any important documents that relate to your academic, medical, and legal history:

1. Official transcripts from secondary schools, colleges, or universities. (If you plan to attend an American University.)

2. Medical and dental records, including certificates of immunizations and vaccinations (especially important for young dependent children).

3. Information about medical conditions or treatments, prescriptions for medications (including generic and brand names) and eyeglasses.

4. Marriage certificate

5. Birth certificate(s) (including spouse or children)

6. International driver's license

7. Valid passport

8. Proof of medical insurance if you are insured (must have insurance before starting classes)

Get English translations of these documents and have the translations certified by a U. S. educational advising center or a U. S. consulate or embassy. Retain photocopies of all original documents for your records.

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WHAT TO DO FOR A TRANSFER FROM ANOTHER CITY OR SCHOOL

1. Fill out and sign an application form ($50 processing fee).

2. Complete the top portion of ESL Instruction & Consulting's Transfer Letter (your current school must confirm that you are in status). You can take this form yourself to your foreign student advisor and have him/her complete it or you can leave it with us and we can fax it to your current I-20 provider.

3. Present your passport so that we can make a file copy (your passport must be valid for at least six months) and your visa information.

4. Present your I-94 card so that we can make a copy of the front and back of the card.

5. Present your current I-20 so that we can make a copy for our files. Save this document. When we give you a new I-20, you will staple it on top of your current I-20.

6. Provide new financial documentation for the length of time that you want to study here. You should show an amount of $1500 per month plus $400 per month for each dependent. For one year of study, a person with no dependents would show $18,000. This assumes $700 per month for tuition and $800 per month for living expenses. If you have the amount of money that you need in a checking or savings account, you can simply provide an original statement that is dated within the last 60 days or a recent letter from your bank on bank letterhead. If you have a sponsor, your sponsor needs to provide proof of ability to provide $18,000 for your support (original bank statement, etc.) and also a notarized letter pledging to provide $18,000 for your support.

EXAMPLE:

I, (sponsor's name), pledge to support (student's name) in the amount of ($ amount) for his/her studies at ESL Instruction & Consulting.

(Signature) (Date)

7. Take a placement test to determine your starting level and register for classes.

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CHECKLIST FOR A CHANGE OF STATUS REQUEST

1. Fill out form I-539. Click here to download the form and instructions.

2. Write a letter to USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) explaining why you are requesting a change of status. USCIS needs an explanation for the fact that you entered the U.S. on a different visa from the one you are requesting now. (NOTE: B-2 and B-1 visas are difficult to get approved as of April 2002)

3. Provide a copy of the front and back of your I-94 card, your current visa, and your passport information.

4. Provide proof of financial support that shows your ability to pay for your first year of full-time study. The amount needed to show this is $18,000. This figure is an approximation of what it will cost for tuition and living expenses for one year. If you have dependents, you must add $4800 per year for each dependent to the $18000. All documents must be in English and amounts must be shown in U.S. dollars. If the bank cannot provide this information in English, the original documents plus a translation into English by a certified translator should be provided.

A. If you have your own funds, this can be done most easily by providing an original bank statement or a letter on bank letterhead showing your name and at least $18,000 and dated within the last 60 days.

B. If you have a sponsor, you need a notarized letter from the sponsor promising to pay $18,000 for your studies in the US and proof that the sponsor can afford to provide this amount for your support. The proof is most easily shown through a bank statement showing that figure in savings if this is possible. The sponsor letter and proof of ability to support should be dated within the last 60 days.

5. Check in the amount of $195 written to USCIS. USCIS will keep this check regardless of whether they approve or decline the request for change of status.

FOR ESL INSTRUCTION:

6. Fill out and sign an application form.

7. Come by and take a placement test to determine your starting level.

8. Provide a check for the application processing fee of $50 plus registration fees of $50 per class.

A COPY OF ALL DOCUMENTS SHOULD BE MADE FOR THE SCHOOL FILE AND ALSO FOR THE STUDENT'S FILE BEFORE SENDING THE ORIGINALS VIA CERTIFIED MAIL TO USCIS.

USCIS TSC, P.O. Box 851182, Mesquite, TX 75185-1182

PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT USCIS WILL AGREE TO CHANGE YOUR STATUS. IF USCIS SHOULD DECLINE THE REQUEST, THE STUDENT WOULD BE REQUIRED TO RETURN TO HIS/HER COUNTRY RIGHT AWAY IF THE CURRENT VISA HAS ALREADY EXPIRED.

J-1 HOLDERS WHO SATISFY THE TERMS OF THE ORIGINAL J-1 AND ARE NOT SUBJECT TO THE TWO-YEAR HOME STAY PROVISION ARE GENERALLY APPROVED WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS.

NOTE TO TOURISTS:

STUDENTS WHO ENTERED THE U.S. ON A B-1 OR B-2 AFTER 4/12/02 ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BEGIN STUDIES UNTIL RECEIVING A FAVORABLE ADJUCATION ON A REQUEST FOR CHANGE OF STATUS TO F-1. THE APPLICATION PROCESS MAY TAKE SEVERAL MONTHS.

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