If you want to study full time in the United States, you should apply for a student visa, F-1. A student visa is issued by the American Embassy in your home country.
To apply for a student visa, you must have an I-20 issued by the school you plan to attend. Students with F-1 status are required by US immigration law to study full time, with a minimum of 18 hours per week.
United Languages of America is authorized by the US government to accept international students.
Registration Guidelines
To register for classes, all applicants must:
1
Take the written and oral Placement Test
Not mandatory for Recreational applicants who are true beginners
2
Receive your class schedule
Based on your Placement Test results
3
Pay tuition and all applicable fees
4
Participate in Student Orientation
Not mandatory for Recreational applicants
Out of Country Application
If you live outside the United States, you must meet specific requirements before being considered for admission. No admission decision will be made until your application is complete.
Documents required for eligibility
- Completed and signed Out of Country Application form
- Copy of passport pages with photo and personal information
- If dependents will apply as F-2 (spouse and children under 21 only), include copies of their passport photo and personal information pages
- Proof of financial ability to cover tuition and living expenses, either self-funded or sponsored
Financial documents
If self-funded
- Provide a recent bank statement (checking or savings) showing sufficient funds to cover tuition and living expenses for the period you intend to study
- If your account is in foreign currency, include current conversion rates
If sponsored
- If sponsor is not a US citizen or permanent resident, the Affidavit of Support section on the application must be completed and signed
- If sponsor is a US citizen or permanent resident, sponsor must provide Form I-134, and it is recommended to include a copy of the previous year income tax returns
- Sponsor must provide a recent bank statement showing sufficient funds, and if in foreign currency include current conversion rates
Required policies and fees
- Signed Enrollment and Refund Policy
- Tuition and Fees:
- Registration fee: US$ 100.00;
- I-901 SEVIS fee: US$ 350.00;*
- Service fee: US$ 25;**
- First four weeks of course tuition (refunded if the visa is denied.)***
Payment timing
Registration fee, SEVIS fee, and First four weeks of course tuition are due upon registration. Registration fee and SEVIS fee are non-refundable. Full payment of Total Program Tuition is due after visa is granted.
* I-901 SEVIS Fee can be paid by the applicant at www.fmjfee.com/i901fee.
** Charged only if HEI pays for the I-901 SEVIS fee on behalf of the applicant.
*** Tuition as per Price List and Courses provided by email. Refer to Enrollment and Refund Policy for more information.
Submitting your documents and processing
Send all required documents by mail, email, or fax. After receipt of all documents, allow 5 business days for processing. If anything is missing, you will be notified using the contact information on your application. If complete, your official acceptance packet with the I-20 will be sent by international courier to the mailing address you provided. If an agent submits your application, the acceptance packet and I-20 will be sent to the agent’s address.
Visa interview guidance
After you receive the I-20, follow your US Embassy or Consulate instructions to schedule your F-1 interview. Apply as early as possible. Many consulates recommend scheduling no more than 90 days before your intended travel date, though some may allow earlier interviews.
Bring to your interview:
- Passport valid for at least six months
- Signed I-20
- School admission letter
- Completed visa application forms
- Two photos (2x2 inches)
- Receipt for visa application fee
- Receipt for SEVIS fee
- Financial evidence covering tuition and living expenses
- Evidence you intend to return to your home country (property, family, community ties)
After visa approval
If your visa is granted, you must pay your course in full before coming to the United States. After arrival, you must report to the institute and take the written and oral Placement Test to complete registration and receive your Orientation Day date.
Important disclaimer: United Languages of America is a private independent organization. Information on the website, publications, documents, forms, emails, articles, posts, newsletters, and other communications is not legal advice and is not a substitute for advice from a licensed immigration attorney. Because information may change unexpectedly, consult an immigration attorney if you need legal advice.
Transfer In Application
If you are currently attending a language school in the United States as an F-1 student, you must follow transfer procedures to continue your studies at United Languages of America. Before a transfer, you must be accepted. No admission decision will be made until your application is complete.
A completed transfer application includes
- Completed Transfer In Application form
- Completed Transfer In form (your current school must authorize the transfer)
- Copies of:
- Passport (picture, personal information and visa pages);
- Form I-94 (download form at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home);
- Current Form I-20;
- All Form I-20 issued by previous schools where you studied.
- If there are dependents applying as F-2: (spouse, and/or children under 21 years of age only) – copies of passport picture, personal information and visa pages, copy of the Form I-94 (download form at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home), and all Form I-20 issued by other schools.
- The applicant should either have enough funds to support him/herself and dependents (if applicable) while in the United States or have a sponsor.
Financial documents
Self-funded
- Recent bank statement showing sufficient funds (include conversion rates if in foreign currency)
Sponsored
- If sponsor is not a US citizen or permanent resident, provide a notarized Affidavit of Support
- If sponsor is a US citizen or permanent resident, provide Form I-134 and prior year income tax returns copy
- Sponsor bank statement showing sufficient funds (include conversion rates if needed)
Other requirements
- Signed Enrollment and Refund Policy
- Tuition and fees: Registration fee (US$ 100.00) and tuition amount provided by email in the document titled "Tuition and Fees, Change of status and Transfer in". Registration fee and tuition are due upon registration. Registration fee is non-refundable.
- Translation requirement: All documents not in English must include a notarized translation.
What happens after you submit
After all documents are received, allow 5 business days for processing. If complete:
- An acceptance letter is issued and sent by the designated school official to your current school
- Your current school enters a release date in the SEVIS system, and both DHS and the designated school official are notified electronically
- After the release date, your SEVIS record transfers to United Languages of America
- You receive a new I-20 issued by United Languages of America
Before the start date on your new I-20, you must report to the institute and take the written and oral Placement Test to complete registration and receive your Orientation Day date.
Important disclaimer: English Institute (HEI) is a private independent organization and is not a government agency and does not affiliate with any government agency. The information provided in our website, publications, documents, forms, emails, articles, posts, newsletters, and other communications are not legal advice for any purposes; and does not constitute legal advice or to substitute for obtaining legal advice from an immigration attorney licensed in your state or country; nor is it intended to create or constitute any attorney-client relationship. HEI provides prospective students with the most current and comprehensive immigration information available. Since information may change anytime unexpectedly, we recommend you consult an immigration attorney if you require legal advice.
Recreational Application
If you study 17 hours or less per week, you are considered a recreational student. To apply, visit the institute for more information or to register.
Contact us
Academic and Holiday Calendars
Health Insurance Warning
Health insurance is not required by law to obtain an F-1 visa to study at an ESL school. However, it is strongly recommended that all F-1 students have health coverage for medical treatment, emergencies, and other health-related issues. Healthcare costs in the United States can be exceptionally high and may create a financial burden for students, families, and sponsors.
Also, F-1 students who use government-funded benefits may risk losing status and may be barred from entering the United States in the future.
Useful Links
You can list these as external resources: