I-20 and Visa Information
If you are an international applicant and need an F-1 (international student) visa, you must demonstrate that you can afford the educational and living costs for nine (9) months in the United States without working. Students with F-1 visas must attend school full-time, which is defined as 18 course hours per week in the Intensive English Program (IEP). F-1 students may work on-campus up to 20 hours per week, but they are not allowed to work off-campus.
General Information about SEVIS
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement requires all F-1 and J-1 non-immigrants seeking initial attendance visa from the U.S. embassy or consulate to pay a processing fee of $200. This fee is charged to cover the administration and maintenance costs of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, known as SEVIS.
- The fee can be paid to the DHS in one of two ways:
- Online (http://www.fmjfee.com)
- By mail (go to www.ice.gov.sevis) to print the FORM I-901 in PDF format. Fill it out and attach a check or money order from a U.S. bank and payable in U.S. dollars. Then send it to the identified address.
- The fee can be paid by the student or by someone else (family member or friend) inside or outside the U.S.
- The fee must be paid at least three business days before going to the U.S. embassy or consulate to get a visa.
For additional information, please go online (www.fmjfee.com) or contact us directly. If you are unable to access the Form I-901 to pay the fee, please let us know and we can email this form to you.
General Information about I-20s & Visas
An I-20 is a document issued by the school that the applicant plans to attend. The I-20 shows that applicants have the financial support for educational and living expenses in the U.S. International students must have a valid I-20 during their studies in the U.S. (Students with a valid I-20 are referred to as “in status.”) International students who are in status are legally living in the U.S. even if their F-1 visa expires while in the country.
How to Obtain an I-20
Before Georgia State issues an I-20, applicants must (1) be accepted into the IEP and (2) demonstrate that they can afford educational and living costs in Atlanta for 9 months. The amount required is an estimate of expenses for tuition, school fees, room and board, personal expenses, books and supplies, and local transportation. Go to Costs and Dates for more specific information of these expenses.
How to Obtain an F-1 Visa
Students apply for an F-1 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate, preferably the one in their home country. When applying for the visa, applicants should bring to the embassy or consulate:
- an I-20 issued by the IEP (this is the school that the applicant plans to attend)
- originals (no copies) of the financial documents that were submitted to the IEP in support of the I-20
- a passport valid for at least 6 months from the current date
Visa hints for students: click here
Completion of Studies
Students are expected to complete programs within a specified amount of time. The date that a student is expected to complete a program is the expiration date of the I-20. The expected completion time for the Intensive English Program is one year from the start date. However, the I-20 is valid for 2 years. Students do not need to submit new financial documentation during this period.
Transferring to Another School
If you enter the USA with an 1-20 from the Intensive English Program at Georgia State University and wish to withdraw or transfer before attending your first semester, there is a $500.00 withdrawal processing fee payable by check, money order or credit card only. When payment has been made, and an admission letter and transfer form from the new school have been received, the Intensive English Program will transfer your record to the new school. We cannot transfer any student until all outstanding fees are paid in full.
Other Useful Information Concerning Visas
