Student Visa Information (F-1 Visa) for OHLA's International Students
If you would like to study in either our Intensive or Super Intensive ESL programs, you will need a student visa. This visa is commonly known as the F-1 visa.
The F-1 Visa allows you to enter the United States as a full-time student in an accredited language training program. Your school must be authorized by the U.S. government to accept international students.
You may enter in the F-1 visa category provided you meet the following criteria:
* You must be enrolled in an "academic" educational program, a language-training program, or a vocational program
* Your school must be recognized by USCIS
* You must be enrolled as a full-time student at the institution
* You must be enrolled in courses leading to English proficiency
* You must have sufficient funds available for self-support during the entire proposed course of study
* You must maintain a residence abroad which he/she has no intention of giving up.
Starting the F1 Visa Process
Open Hearts Language Academy is recognized by the USCIS to sponsor foreign students. Upon receipts and acceptance of your application, we will input information about you to the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). We will then send you an I-20 form, which you will need in order to obtain your visa.
Applying for your F1 Student Visa
To obtain your visa, you will have to schedule an appointment with the nearest US consulate. You will have to show the I-20, your passport, pay the necessary visa fee, submit form OF-156 Application for a Nonimmigrant Visa, and show evidence of financial support. Please note that you must be able to prove to the Consular Officer that you have strong ties to your home country. In general, it is a good idea to be very organized for this meeting. If approved, the consular section will enter into SEVIS that your visa has been issued. If you are turned down, ask the consular officer how you can apply again.Documents to be provided
To obtain your visa, you must provide the following document to our admission office.1) A clear scanned copy of your passport that will remain valid up to 6 months after the stay in the United States.
2) A Bank Letter showing sufficient funds for the proposed period of study. For each four-week period the required amount is $2000 USD [$500 per week].
As an example. for a 12 week study period, the bank letter would have to show the equivalent of $6,000 USD.
3) If required, a Notarized Affidavit of Support. This is needed only when the account listed on the Bank Letter does not belong to the applicant and the costs related to the studies are being "sponsored" by a third party [eg. your parents].
Required payment
You are required to pay $175 US to cover the non-refundable Application [$100] & Mailing fees [$75].To set up the interview with the US Embassy in your own country, you are to pay their SEVIS fee [currently $200]. Click here for payment information.
However, if a student would like for Open Hearts to pay the SEVIS fee on his/her behalf, we will pay the fee and invoice the student. We will then send the official SEVIS receipt along with the I-20.
Process
Upon receiving the required documents and payment, we will issue the I-20 and if requested, pay the SEVIS fee and produce the official receipt. We will mail these documents directly to your home address along with an official letter of acceptance.
Entering The US
You must enter the USA by or before the report date on the I-20. You may not enter the United States more than 30 days before the beginning of your study program. At the port of entry, you may have to show your passport, visa, evidence of support and the I-20. The officer at the port of entry will enter into SEVIS that you have arrived.
The visa is normally valid for the entire length of study, plus 30 days after the program ends. The length of time you are permitted to stay will be determined by the official at the Port of Entry. The length you are permitted to stay will be recorded on your I-94, Record of Arrival-Departure, which should be kept in your passport.
Working On An F1 Visa
If employment is available, F1 visa holders may be able to work on campus for up to 20 hours per week if they are in good academic standing, maintain full-time study, and do not displace a US resident. Students may work full-time between semesters and during the annual summer vacation if they enroll for the following term. After completing their studies, however, they may not be employed on-campus unless authorized for practical training.Off-campus work requires approval from USCIS and is possible only after the first full year of study. Unless this permit has been granted by USCIS, it is illegal for a student with an F1 visa to accept off-campus employment. If employment permission is granted, the student still must maintain full-time study while working up to 20 hours a week while courses are in session and 40 hours a week during the summer and between semesters.
Sometimes, however, things don't go as planned. If you can prove that you are suffering a severe economic hardship caused by circumstances beyond your control, you may be able to get special USCIS working permission. Examples include loss of financial aid or on campus employment without fault on the part of the student, a severe devaluation in the currency of your home country, or medical bills.
You must further show that there is no suitable on-campus employment for you. You must have completed a full year of academic study and must be in good academic standing. You will also have to obtain a recommendation from your student officer. If granted work permission, you will be allowed to work 20 hours per week while school is in session.
Maintenance Of Status
Once you have been admitted to the United States in F-1 status, you will have to meet the following obligations in order to maintain your status.- Have a passport that is kept valid at all times, unless exempt from the passport requirement.
- Attend the school that you are authorized to attend. Continue to carry a full course of study [minimum of 20 ESL hrs per week]
- Follow certain procedures if the student must remain in the United States longer than the length of time estimated for his/her educational program, as stated on the initial I-20 A/B issued to begin the program of study.
- Follow certain procedures to transfer to a school other than the one originally authorized.
- Limit employment, both on and off campus, to a total of 20 hours per week while school is in session.
- Refrain from off-campus employment without authorization.
- Report a change of residence to INS within 10 days of the change.