|
 Details For Obtaining Your F-1 Visa
All foreign students pursuing formal study in the United States are required to have an F-1 student visa to enter the U.S.
In order to obtain an F-1 student visa, a student must be issued an I-20 form by an accredited school approved by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS).
Our academic partners, The American Heritage School of Boca/Delray, and the Language Exchange International are all accredited and authorized to issue the I-20 for ITA students pursuing formal study. However, before the issuance of an I-20 document, students must make tuitional deposit, and in some cases full-payment. In addition, students must provide proof of financial support, sign a financial contract, provide a copy of their passport, and send all transcripts - in English - along with all application forms.
What Should You Do:
Step 1
Obtain a passport from your government. While in the U.S., your passport must always be valid for at least one year into the future.
Step 2
Obtain an I-20 Form from The American Heritage School of Boca/Delray, University of Miami Online, or the Language Exchange International . Carefully read the information on pages 1 and 2 of your I-20 form. The "Instructions to Students" section on page 2 is very important because it explains your responsibility while you are an F-1 student in the U.S. Sign your name at the bottom of page 1, and write your address in your country and your new address in the U.S. (651 Egret Circle, Delray Beach, FL 33444).
Step 3
Document financial resources available to you in the U.S. (a bank or letter from your bank indicating money on deposit / proof of parent's net worth; and/or letters of support from your family or sponsor). This financial documentation is evidence that you have enough funds to cover the cost of tuition and living expenses while in the U.S.
Step 4
Take the following documents to the United States Consulate or Embassy closest to your home:
- Passport.
- A passport-sized photograph.
- I-20
- Evidence of financial support (see item 3 above).
Evidence that you will return home after you study in the U.S. (i.e. an airline ticket showing a prepaid return flight).If your papers are accepted by the U.S. Consulate official, you will be issued an F-1 visa (please request for a multiple entry visa). This visa stamp will allow you to enter the U.S. to train at the International Tennis Academy USA.If you are applying for a visa less than 3 weeks before departing for the U.S., it may also be helpful to bring your airline ticket to the Consulate or Embassy to show your departure date to demonstrate the need to rush your application.
Step 5
Traveling to the U.S.
Keep your passport and I-20 form with you. Do not pack them in your suitcases.
When you arrive in the U.S., you will go through "Customs and Immigration." An Immigration officer will ask to see your passport, I-20 form, and financial support documents.
The officer will give you an I-94 card or "Arrival / Departure Record." It is a small, white card. This card is important. Keep it with your passport at all times. It tells you how long you may legally stay in the U.S. as an F-1 student. "D/S" may be written on your card, meaning "Duration of Status," while you study as a full time student or while your I-20 is valid
Travel Documents Required For Students Competing Abroad
- Several countries in the world require foreigners to acquire an "Entry Visas" before arrival. In order to facilitate the visa procedures by our office, we request parents to send us the following documents:
- General letter of authorization to obtain visa and travel to other countries with ITA coaches. Letter to be signed by both parents and notarized (enclosed in the application packet).
- A copy of the student's birth certificate.
- Several passport photos.
|
