Visa Information
I-20 Information
Consulate Interview
I-94 Information
Visa Information
What type of visa do I need to study at Westwood College?
Westwood College typically enrolls students who have an F-1 visa.
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What other kinds of visas can I use to study at Westwood College?
If you are not in the United States on an F-1 visa, you may still be able to study at an American institution. However, there are specific restrictions on each visa type with regard to engaging in a course of study. If you would like to study at Westwood College, please contact an international admissions representative for more information on studying on your current visa.
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What is an F-1 student?
An F-1 student is a non-immigrant that is pursuing a full course of study towards a specific educational goal at an academic institution that has been approved by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to offer courses of study to such students. An F-1 student must be enrolled in SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) and must return to his or her residence abroad after completion of study.
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Who issues an F-1 visa?
The consular office that has jurisdiction over your place of residence accepts applications for and issues F-1 visas. It is now a requirement of the United States government for every student visa applicant to appear for an in-person interview with his or her local U.S. consulate. The consulate will ask you questions, which we will attempt to prepare you for, as well as request certain documentation. This documentation will include, but is not limited to, your I-20, bank statements, and proof of residence in your home country. This documentation is discussed in the Consulate Interview portion of our website. The consulate will either approve or deny your visa based on your answers to their questions and the documentation you provide.
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What are the requirements to apply for an F-1 visa?
You must include the following items in your application for an F-1 visa:
- Properly completed I-20 from the American university you plan to attend
- Evidence of financial ability to meet all projected expenses while studying in the United States
- Evidence of English proficiency sufficient for your course of study
- Passport valid for at least 6 months
- Form DS-156 "Nonimmigrant Visa Application"
- Form DS-157, if applicable
- Form DS-158 "Contact Information and Work History for Non-immigrant Visa Applicant"
- Photograph (Please contact the United States Embassy in your country of residence for visa photograph requirements)
- Machine Readable Visa surcharge fee (approximately $100, but please check the U.S. Department of State website for current fee schedule).
- Visa reciprocity fee, if applicable
- Visa forms can be downloaded from the U.S. Department of State web site at www.state.gov
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How do I maintain my F-1 status?
To maintain F-1 status:
- You are required to report to the Designated School Official (DSO) of your school for Initial Registration in SEVIS (Student Exchange and Visitor Information System) upon arriving at school.
- The school listed on your visa and I-20 must be the same and you must attend the school that is listed on these documents.
- You are required to pursue a "full course of study," typically 12 credit hours per term, at the school listed on your currently valid I-20 during every academic term except during official school breaks or unless approved under a specific exception in advance by the DSO.
- You are also required to progress towards completing a course of study and you must complete these studies on or before the program completion date on your I-20.
- If you are unable to complete your course of study by the program completion date, you must notify your DSO before the end date and follow the proper procedures for an extension of stay.
- If you decide to pursue a higher-level education after graduation or you decide to change programs before your completion date, you must also notify your DSO and follow the proper procedures for changing levels or programs of study.
- If you decide to transfer to a different school during your course of study, you must notify the DSO of both the school you are currently enrolled in and the DSO of the school you wish to transfer to and follow the proper procedures for transfer of schools.
- You must also abide by the grace period rules that apply to your F-1 visa. There are three grace periods that are allowed on an F-1:
- You are allowed to enter the United States no sooner than 30 days prior to your program start date.
- You are granted a 60-day grace period at the end of your course of study in which to gather your belongings and prepare to leave the United States. The only exception to this rule is if you have followed the proper procedures for applying for practical training, moving education levels, or school transfer prior to completing your course of study.
- If your DSO grants you an authorized withdrawal, you may remain in the United States for up to 15 days following the withdrawal date noted in SEVIS. This grace period can only be used to prepare for your departure from the United States. You are not allowed to use this grace period for employment or preparation to transfer.
- You are required to report any change of address to the DSO within 10 days of the change so that your SEVIS record may be updated.
- Students on F-1 visas are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during the school term on-campus only. F-1 students are not allowed to be employed off-campus unless they qualify under specific circumstances. Although you may be allowed to work on-campus, there is no guarantee that an on-campus position will be available.
- You must abide by rules requiring disclosure of information and prohibition of criminal activity. You must abide by any special requirements of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services or the United States Department of Homeland Security, such as special registration requirements.
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Can my F-1 be revoked?
Your F-1 visa cannot be revoked. However, you will be considered "out of status" if you violate any of the F-1 visa requirements. If you fail to maintain your visa status, you will be eligible for deportation from the United States and may not be able to re-enter the United States if you decide to apply for another visa in the future. You are only eligible for reinstatement of your visa status under specific conditions and then only if the circumstances were beyond your control. Therefore, it is very important that you maintain your visa status at all times while you are studying in the United States.
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How much does it cost to get my F-1 visa?
Please check the U.S. Department of State website for this fee, or for any additional fees required by the U.S. embassy in your country. This fee must be paid at the time you file your visa application.
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When should I apply for my visa?
You can apply for your visa as early as 90 days before the start of your classes as stated on your I-20. You may not apply for your visa any earlier than this 90-day period.
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