• Distance Learning
• Professional Education
• Language Institute
• Global Learning Center

I-20 Requirements

If you request an I-20, you must submit an official or notarized bank document that refers specifically to the Intensive English Program and states the amount of funds available for your studies. This document must be a letter from a bank verifying family or personal funds in the amount of $4,062 per session of intended study. If an affidavit of support is submitted on your behalf, a bank letter must accompany the affidavit.

Before registering for this program, you should make certain that the American consulate or embassy will accept and process an I-20 for admission to the United States under the circumstances prevailing in your country of residence, and that local government policy does not prohibit your departure. To check this information, visit the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular affairs Web site.

Visa/Immigration Information

What to bring with you for your visa Consulate interview?

1. Proof of payment of the SEVIS fee (instructions included in your acceptance packet)
2. Form I-20 (included with your acceptance documents from the Language Institute)
3. A completed DS-158 and DS-156 nonimmigrant visa application with a photo of each person applying (forms are available at the embassy)
4. A passport valid for at least six months beyond your expected stay in the United States
5. A receipt for the visa processing fee for each applicant
6. Financial documents such as bank books, account statements or tax documents that show you have sufficient funds to cover tuition and living expenses during your time in the United States. We strongly recommend that you present a history of funds rather than a one-time statement (at least 6 months). The embassy official might need evidence that there are no restrictions on the transfer of funds that would prevent the funds from being made available during the projected stay.
7. Proof of your relationship to your spouse and children if they are accompanying you to the United States.

If you are applying for an F-1 visa, you MUST….

1. Show evidence that you have strong economic, social, family, or career ties to your home country.
2. Provide proof that you have a residence in your home country
3. Convince the official that you intend to leave the United States when your course of study is completed

How to prepare for your visa interview…

1. In addition to the documents you present, you need to listen carefully to any questions the embassy official might ask you.
2. Even if the official asks you a question that you think is strange, you must answer it. The official is usually trying to decide whether you intend to stay in the United Sates after you have completed your program. If the official thinks you plan to stay in the United States, he or she must deny your visa.
3. In addition, you can prepare reasons why you want to study in the United States. Here are some possibilities:
1. To promote your professional development: How will you use English when you return to your country? Why is it important for you to know English?
2. To support further your academic studies: Do you intend to study another subject once you complete your English program? Which subject?
3. To obtain personal knowledge of American language and culture: English can be learned more efficiently through interaction with native speakers.
4. To experience high-quality instruction: Talk about your choice of English program: show that you know about the university or college you have applied to and be able to explain your choice if you can. Mention that some of the most advanced teaching methods and technical help in language learning can be found in the United States.
4. You should not give reasons such as:
1. your friends are there
2. you have family in the United States
3. you like American movies
4. Other unimportant reasons
   

Note:  The most frequent reason for a visa refusal is that the official thinks you may not return to your home country. Additionally, it is not possible to say exactly what evidence to bring to convince the official you will return home.  Applicant circumstances vary greatly. Remember an official sees as many as 200 people a day. Officials do not have a lot of time to discuss your application; they must make a quick decision. Help them by being completely prepared.

What to do if your visa is denied…

1. Before leaving the embassy or consulate, ask for a written explanation of why your visa was denied.
2. Notify the Language Institute’s registration coordinator, C.A. Johnston Folds, at carol.johnston@esl.gatech.edu and tell her the reason for the refusal.
3. Consular officers have the responsibility for issuance or denial of visas. If your visa is denied, you can re-apply.
4. If you decide to re-apply, you should be prepared to show additional evidence or explain in a different way how your situation has changed since the first application.
5. The most frequent reason for a visa refusal is that the official thinks you may not return to your home country. Before your next interview:
1. Think again about your ties to your home country:  family relationships, job, home or farm ownership, and other commitments.
2. Is there any additional evidence that you could present?
3. Did you explain your situation clearly the first time?
4. Did you answer all the questions?
6. You should try to apply at least twice. If you are refused a second time, the probability that a third try will work is not very high.
7. Additional information about U.S. visa policies and obtaining a visa is available at the Department of State Web site.