Student Visa Information
What kind of visa should I apply for?
A student enrolled in a course of fewer than 18 hours per week is not considered full time. Students entering on a US Visa Waiver, or Business Visa/Tourist Visa (B1/B2) may enroll in the following courses:
- General English
- Executive Business
- Private Tuition
- TOEIC
- TOEFL
- Executive Business
- General English for Two
All Visa Waiver travellers must complete ESTA forms.
Who qualifies for a F-1 Student Visa?
LAL is an SEVP (Student & Exchange Visitor Program) certified school and authorised to issue I-20 forms in preparation for F-1 student visas.
Students must be enrolled in a full-time course of study (minimum 18 hours) with the sole purpose of studying English. Students or their partner-agent must e-mail, fax or mail their signed application to the school and be accepted.
SEVP Approved courses
- General English Extra
- Intensive English
- Academic Long Stay Programmes
- Executive Intensive Business
- Cambridge Exam Preparation
- Standard General + IELTS
What do I need to do to prepare?
Once LAL Reservations receives the signed application together with USD120 registration fee, LAL will send written confirmation and a letter of acceptance to the student or partner-agent. As required by SEVP, the student or agent must provide LAL with evidence of sufficient funds:
- bank statement or a letter from the bank on bank stationery or
- Financial Support documents from a sponsor.
Students meeting the requirements set by SEVP will be issued the I-20 student form. The I-20 form will be sent to the home country by US Mail or Express Delivery.
What must I do when I receive the I-20?
The student must register with SEVIS on the internet and pay SEVIS the non-refundable application fee of USD200 by credit card. Please follow the online instructions to contact the US Consulate in your country for an appointment.
All students must carry proof of health insurance. We recommend the Atlas Travel Medical Plan.
What is my responsibility as an F-1 student?
Upon arrival at school, students must present the following documentation:
- I-20 form
- Passport*
- Proof of health insurance
- Airline ticket back to their home country (where applicable).
- US address and telephone number
- Any change of dates or address during student’s course of study must be reported to the Operations Manager, within 10 days.
- Students must keep the original I-20 with their passport, an official record of their period of study in the United States.
Currently enrolled students wishing to change their reservation must first seek authorisation from the Operations Manager to ensure all I-20 requirements are met.
Students with the intention to leave the US (to the Bahamas, Mexico or Canada, etc.) or return home while enrolled at LAL, must notify the Operations Manager in advance to ensure compliance with F-1/I-20 regulations.
*Students are responsible for holding a proper passport for entry to the United States.
More information may be found on travel.state.gov.
