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Visa and I-20 Information

Home > International Students

Welcome to The International Student Information Page. The English Language Center is responsible for the processing of international students applications for admissions to the Day Intensive Program. If you are a student in the United States who wishes to transfer to The English Language Center, go to the Transfer Page.


Please click here to download an application form [PDF]. If you cannot download the application form we will mail one to you.


APPLYING TO THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE CENTER (back to top)

To apply for an I-20, you must submit the following:

  • A completed Application Form [PDF] signed by the student;
  • A High School Diploma or University Transcript with an OFFICIAL English translation;
  • Proof of Financial Evidence. (All financial documents must be translated into English and the account balance stated in U. S. currency.) Please send ONE of the following:
    • An official bank letter with date the account was opened, the current balance and the average balance over the past six months;
    • A letter on company letterhead from the sponsor’s employer giving the sponsor’s annual salary and length of employment;
    • Copies of the sponsor’s previous year’s tax returns if he/she is self-employed in the U.S. and
  • A NOTARIZED Affidavit of Support Form [PDF] if someone else will sponsor you;
  • A money order for U.S. $200.00 made payable to LaGuardia Community College. This is a processing fee and is non-refundable. The fee will be deducted from your tuition fee when you register for classes.


APPLYING FOR A VISA (back to top)

OBTAINING THE VISA

Take the following to the American Consulate in your country:

  • The form I-20;
  • Your acceptance letter (from LaGuardia Community College);
  • Your passport;
  • Financial documents;
  • Proof of SEVIS fee payment;
  • Visa fee or Proof of Visa fee payment.


MAINTAINING STATUS (back to top)

RULES FOR MAINTAINING VALID F-1 STATUS

AS AN F-1 STUDENT, YOU ARE MAINTAINING YOUR STATUS WHEN YOU:

  • Keep your passport valid at all times
  • Report any change of address to the English Language Center within 10 days of moving.
  • Attend the school that you are authorized to attend, as indicated on your form I-20
  • Pursue a full course of study
  • Register each quarter until graduation or transfer to a new school
  • Obtain prior authorization from the English Language Center before dropping below a full-time course of study.
  • Follow required procedures for:

    - transferring from one school to another
    - filing a timely application for program extension

  • Limit on-campus employment to 20 hours per week when school is in session.
  • Do not work off-campus without authorization

 


ARRIVING IN NEW YORK (back to top)

If your visa application is approved, the consular official will stamp the F-1 visa in your passport and return your I-20, financial documentation and the letter of acceptance.

When you arrive in the U.S., the Immigration officer at the port of entry will

  • Ask to see your passport;
  • Ask to see your Form I-20 and will return pages 1 and 3 (the student copy) of the I-20;
  • Give you an I-94 form (a small white piece of paper) which will be stamped with the date of entry and stapled to your passport.

PLEASE SECURE THESE DOCUMENTS SAFELY. THEY ARE VERY IMPORTANT!

AFTER ARRIVING IN NEW YORK:


FINDING HOUSING (back to top)

LaGuardia Community College does not provide housing for students. It is your responsibility to find a place to live. To assist you, TELC has prepared a Housing List. Please take a look to see if any of these contacts can help you in your search.


GETTING HEALTH INSURANCE (back to top)

Health care in the United States is very costly for anyone without health insurance, and a short hospital stay can cost thousands of dollars. It is therefore important to have health insurance. You can purchase insurance in your home country or in the United States. Even if you never need to use your health insurance, just having it will give you peace of mind.

If you experience a serious illness or accident, you cannot purchase health insurance after the fact to cover that illness or accident. Be sure to buy medical insurance.  Travelers insurance does not usually cover medical expenses.

Costs for medical insurance vary between $500 and $600 and sometimes more per individual each year. MEDEX Insurance Services Inc. www.medexassist.com (1-800-240-0369) provides several benefits including return to your home country or a companion on the plane should you be too ill to travel alone. Compass International Student Insurance Plan is another plan which provides health benefits to international students. Visit them at www.compassbenefit.com. 

If you are in the United States, and need additional information or an application, please stop by the English Language Center in room C-354.

Please note the following:

We reserve the right to request additional documentation.
All documents must be translated into English.
Documents which have been altered (changed) cannot be accepted.
All original documentation will be returned to you.
You should submit original documents AND a set of copies.

 

Please mail all required documents to:
LaGuardia Community College
The English Language Center
29-10 Thomson Avenue, C-354
Long Island City, NY 11101


 
© All Rights Reserved, 2005.
THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE CENTER
29-10 Thomson Ave.
Room C354
Long Island City, NY 11101
(718) 482-5360