Visa Information

Visa Presented to US Immigration Full-Time Part-Time Hours Documents Needed
F-1 Student Visa Yes No 18 Letter of Financial Support / Sponsor Statement
F-2 Spouse of Child of Student No Yes 10 or 12 Spouse’s or Child’s I-20 from Sponsoring Institution
B-1 Tourism for Business Visa No Yes 10 or 12 No Additional Documents
B-2 Tourism Visa No Yes 10 or 12 No Additional Documents
J-1 Exchange Visitor Yes Yes 10, 12, or 18 DS-2019/ Letter from Au Pair Company
J-2 Spouse or Child of Exchange Visitor Yes Yes 10, 12, or 18 Spouse’s or Child’s DS-2019 from Sponsoring Institution/ Letter from Au Pair Company
US Citizen or Permanent Resident Yes Yes 10, 12, or 18 Green Card or Proof of Citizenship

F-1 Visa Guide

        Students wishing to study in the United States need to learn about the F-1 student visa application process. There are more than one million international students currently studying abroad in the USA, and with some preparation and guidance, you can join them. To help you get started, we have put together this step-by-step guide to US visas to help you understand what is a F-1 visa, F-1 visa rules, and F-1 visa requirements.

        The F-1 student visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows international students to enter the US and study at institutions certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). It is the most popular type of student visa for students seeking to study at a US university or college, and you can only apply for your F-1 visa after an accredited US institution accepts your application.

        As a F-1 student, the duration of your stay will vary based on the program in which you enroll. The I-20 form provided by the university you wish to attend will list the expiration date of your program. You will need to earn your degree before the listed expiration date, and this will give you an outline of how long you will be able to remain in the US.

There are several F-1 visa rules to keep in mind if you plan to apply for a F-1 student visa. You must meet these requirements for your application to be accepted:

  • Institution certification—English school, college or the university where you plan to study needs to be approved by SEVP Immigration & Customs Enforcement.
  • Full-time enrollment—You must be enrolled as a full-time student at the institution while your academic term is in session.
  • Sufficient funding—You must prove you have sufficient funds available to finance your studies and living expenses while in the US.
  • Valid passport—Your passport should be valid for US travel for at least six months after your program completion date.
    Home country residency—You are required to have a residence in your home country to return to following the completion of your degree.

Before you begin your F-1 visa application, you must take the following steps:

  • Get accepted by TAHS before submitting your visa application. When you are accepted, you will receive your I-20 form, which you will need to apply for your F-1 visa.
    • The following information is recorded in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) when your I-20 is issued:
      • Your SEVIS ID number
      • Your program start and end dates
      • Your intended program of study
      • Your funding sources
      • Cost of attendance at your school of choice
      • Other personal information
  • Pay your SEVIS fee
  • Complete your DS-160 visa application.
    • Your DS-160 is your visa application. All prospective international students must complete a DS-160 to receive an F-1 visa.
    • Requirements: Your I-20, passport, travel itinerary, photo for your visa
    • Cost: $160
    • Where to apply: Application portal for your DS-160 (https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/)
    • After you successfully submit your DS-160, you will receive a printed confirmation with a barcode on it. Save this form – you will need it for your visa interview.
  • Schedule your visa interview.
    • During the interview portion of the F-1 visa application process, the US consulate or embassy confirms you are coming to study as a legitimate, serious student. In your visa interview, you must also prove you have the funds to cover your time studying in the US, and confirm that you plan on returning home after your studies are complete. Attending your visa interview in person is required, though there are a few rare exceptions (e.g., if you are younger than 14 or older than 80 years of age, or if you meet certain visa renewal requirements).
    • Cost: Your DS-160 payment covers the cost
    • Where to apply: Scheduling portal for your visa interview: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas.html
  • Attend your visa interview.

Before you attend your visa interview, make sure to have the following documents ready for evaluation by the consular officer:

  • A valid passport
  • A copy of the photo you will use for your visa
  • Printed copies of your DS-160 and I-901 SEVIS payment confirmations
  • I-20 form
  • School transcript and official test scores cited on your application (if applicable)
  • Diploma (if applicable)
  • Bank statements or other proof of finances

As an international student, you might feel uncertain about your upcoming interview. While feeling nervous is normal, do not forget to take a deep breath and remember that you are well prepared! Your interview is important, but should not be stressful.

What to Expect at Your Visa Interview
Your interviewer will ask questions to determine:

  • Are you a legitimate student?
  • Do you have the resources to pay for your studies?
  • Do you plan to return home after completing your degree?

To prepare for your F-1 student visa interview, here are some questions you might be asked:

  • Why did you pick this English school?
  • What do you plan to do after learning English?
  • How will you pay for your education?
  • Do you have relatives in the USA?
  • Do you plan to work while in the USA?
  • What do you plan to do after graduation?

As an international student, you must actively maintain your F-1 status to continue studying in the US. To do this, you must comply with both university regulations and codes of conduct, as well as with the requirements and conditions set out in your F-1 visa requirements.

  • When entering the US:
    Make sure to enter the US no more than 30 days before your program begins.
  • As soon as you arrive in Boston, contact your designated school official (DSO)
  • When you arrive at TAHS, contact your DSO again before the start date listed on your I-20 form.

While studying in the US:

  • Attend all your classes and maintain good academic standing. If you require support with any of your classes, TAHS academic director can direct you to academic resources to help you improve.
  • If you need extra time to complete your program which would exceed the end date specified in your I-20, speak with your DSO to discuss your options for possible extensions.
  • Make sure to enroll for a full course of study when your academic term is in session.
  • If you want to drop a class or change classes, make sure to speak to your DSO first.

Can I study part-time on my F-1 (student) visa?

No. United States law requires all students who enter the United States on a student visa be full-time students. Also, please note that NESE cannot issue an I-20 until all legally required documents have been submitted to the school.

Can I Transfer Schools as an International Student?

        TAHS welcomes students from other SEVP-certified schools. TAHS offers a wide selection of courses designed to help you succeed. Check the list of available programs here.

In addition to the standard requirements, international student applicants must complete the following steps:

  • Submit a TAHS Transfer Form to admin@theacademy.ac, filled out and signed by your current Designated School Official.
  • Pay a $150 non-refundable transfer fee and Tuition deposit $250.
  • Send a bank statement.
  • If you will be financially supported by a U.S. citizen or resident or someone outside of the U.S., submit an Affidavit of
  • Support and a support letter from a bank, parent, guardian, sponsor, or government agency and their original most recent bank statement. Make sure that the support form lists the supporting funds that cover your tuition, cost of living, and at least $3,000 for each dependent who is listed on the I-20.
  • Submit original and English translations of official transcripts or diplomas from secondary schools and colleges attended.

        TAHS will issue a new I-20 form upon receiving all necessary documents and fees as described above. Please note that TAHS accepts payments made by certified check or money order drawn on a U.S. bank and payable in U.S. dollars or by credit card. We recommend that you start the process at least 30 days before the target class start date.