APPLY FOR A STUDENT VISA

IT'S EASY TO GET A STUDENT VISA

For more information on becoming a student in America, you can visit these websites:

RATES FOR FULL TIME  F1 STUDENTS

1 level = 12 weeks of instruction

 $3,160.00 in advance. This saves you $125.00!

**Installments of $1,095.00/4 weeks are also available**

Annual Registration Fee $150.00

Classes meet Monday-Thursday from 9AM-2PM.

No night schedules or online classes available.


The registration fee of $150.00 for our Intensive English Program is to be paid at the beginning of the student's first enrolled quarter. Books are not included (normally $100-150 per quarter).


SEE THE STEPS TO APPLY BELOW!


STEP 1

In order to receive a Tampa Language Center Acceptance Letter, you must submit the following 3 documents 15 days before our next program start date:

IF YOU HAVE MORE QUESTIONS ABOUT BANK DOCUMENTS CLICK HERE!

THEN, pay Tampa Language Center the I-20 application processing fee of $100.00 (non refundable) plus $35.00 for your placement test. Please be aware that this fee is different from the registration fee. This can be paid by credit card, check, or on our website. 


Once we have received, reviewed, and verified the submitted documents, we will issue a letter of acceptance and your I-20. This process can take 3-5 business days. We can send you your documents internationally for an additional fee.

  1. Submit a completed application form.
  2. Submit a copy of your valid passport (valid for at least 6 months or more after the presentation day).
  3. Submit one of the following:
  • A current bank statement to cover tuition and living expenses for at least 3 months (1 quarter). Funds must show at least $6500.00 USD if you are single. If you are married or have children, call or email our office to ask how much you need to prove. We need to have original documents from your banking institution or electronic documents that are from your institution.

OR

  • A financial guarantee statement from your sponsor with a current financial statement (original documents from your sponsor's banking institution or electronic documents from your sponsor's institution) and a picture ID of your sponsor. 

To obtain your visa, you must apply for one at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence.


For the F-1 visa procedures and requirements, contact the U.S. Embassy in your country. You can find your embassy here: https://www.usembassy.gov/

WHAT TO BRING TO YOUR EMBASSY APPOINTMENT

  • Passport (valid for at least 6 months into the future).
  • A signed SEVIS INITIAL I-20 form - a student visa will not be issued unless a SEVIS I- 20 is presented at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate (including the I-20 of any dependents).
  • The prospective student must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee and print out the receipt to take with their visa application to the embassy. 
  • The I-901 fee ($350.00) can be paid online at https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/desktop/students/formSelection.htm. (An explanation of the I-901 fee and FAQ can be found at http://www.ice.gov/sevis/index.htm).
  • Your letter of acceptance from the Tampa Language Center plus any other documents given to you by TLC.
  • Bank letter or letter of financial support verifying the funds to cover your expenses while you study in the United States.
  • A 2" x 2" photograph. 
  • A fee receipt to show payment for your visa application fee. 
  • Transcripts and diplomas from previous institutions where you studied if applicable.
  • Scores from any standardized tests (i.e. IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, GMAT, etc.) if applicable.
  • Proof of relationship with spouse or children (i.e. marriage certificate, birth certificate) if applicable.
  • Check with your embassy because every country has different requirements.

ARRIVING IN THE UNITED STATES

When you arrive in the United States, you need to present the following to the Immigration Officer:

  • Your passport
  • Sealed envelope with the SEVIS I-20 inside
  • Form I-94 "Arrival and Departure Record"( including length of stay and departure date)

Please be aware that United States Department of Homeland Security regulations state that holders of F-1 visa will not be admitted to USA until a date thirty days or less prior to the beginning of the program date, or start date, as given on your Form I-20. Please consider that date carefully when making your travel plans to the USA.


Students who enter the USA earlier than 30 days before his/her program begins may do so if they are also holders of a valid B2 (tourist) or B1/B2 (business/tourist) visa. Students who enter the USA on their B2 or B1/B2 visas cannot begin their programs in B status. Therefore, you must depart the USA and re-enter using your F-1 non-immigrant visa no more than thirty days before your program start date. 


For initial admission, you must attend the school specified on your visa. If you have Form I-20 a-B from more than one school, it is important to have the name of the school you intend to attend specified on your visa by presenting a Form 1-20 A-B from that school to the visa issuing consular officer, Failure to attend the specified school will result in the loss of your student status and subject you to deportation.

MAINTAINING YOUR STATUS IN THE UNITED STATES

Upon entering the United States on an F-1 visa, you are granted F-1 status. In order to remain in status while you study at the Tampa Language Center, you must:

  • Attend classes on a full-time basis (20 hours per week)
  • Keep the I-20 valid
  • Pay course fees in full ($3160/quarter or $1095 every 4 weeks for 12 weeks+$150 registration)
  • If applying for an extension it must be done 30 days before your approved ending date ($50 extension fee)

If you cannot complete the educational program after having been in student status for longer than the anticipated length of the program plus a grace period in a single educational level, or for more than eight consecutive years, you must apply for extension of stay. An application for extension of stay on form 1-538 should be filed with the Immigration and Naturalization Service district office having jurisdiction over your school at least 15 days but no more the 60 days before the expiration of your authorized stay.

  • Leave the U.S. within 60 days after completion of your program
  • Transfer to another school within 60 days after the completion of your program

A non-immigrant student is permitted to transfer to a different school provided the transfer procedure is followed. To transfer schools, you should first notify the school you are attending of the intent to transfer, then obtain a letter of acceptance and a transfer form from the school that you want to attend. You must finish your current program with Tampa Language Center before transferring.

TRAVELING OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES

If you are planning to travel outside the United States while studying at the Tampa Language Center, an appointment must be made with the Principal Designated School Official to discuss travel arrangements. Your I-20 must be signed by your school in order to travel abroad.


Please note, your F-1 visa and passport must be valid in order to return to the U.S. If your visa has expired, you will need to renew it at the U.S. Embassy in your home country.

Other Resources:

 

*For more information please visit official website of the Department of Homeland Security:


www.uscis.gov


https://www.studyinstates.dhs.gov

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