An I-20 is a document that ECI English Language Program will send to you after you complete the application process (ECI English Language Program is authorized by SEVIS to issue I-20's). This form is used to obtain an F-1 student visa. Before the applicant appears for a visa interview at the U.S. Embassy, he/she has to pay the Visa application fee, as well as SEVIS fee (I-901 fee).

This letter will be sent to you, along with your I-20, to show than you have been accepted by the ECI English Language Program.

This is a non-immigrant status for students who attend elementary, secondary, (private high-school), and post-secondary schools (universities - public and private), as well as ESL (English as a Second Language) Schools.

This is a dependent listed on the F-1 student's I-20.

This is a tourist Visa for the purpose of visiting the United States and short cultural programs. If you would like to take language courses while in the U.S. along with your leisure activities, this is permitted only to limited numbers of classes per week (10 classes).

This is a small, white form that you will fill out at the Port of Entry. It will be stamped and stapled to your passport. This form shows how long you are permitted to stay in the United States of America.

The first airport at which you land and go through customs.

This is what should be stamped on your I-94 and I-20 (in red ink) at the Port of Entry. "D/S" means "Duration of Status." This simply means that as long as you are a full-time student and in good status, you have permission to stay in the United States. If "D/S" is not stamped on your I-94 or I-20, please notify the director of ECI ELP immediately at 1-888-446-5437 (toll free within the United States).

1. Apply as soon as possible at the American Embassy or Consulate (obtaining a visa can take up to two months in some countries).
2. Make sure your passport is valid for at least six month into the future.
3. Make sure you pay the Visa application fee to the bank account provided by the American Consulate in your home country. In addition to the visa application fee, you are required to pay the SEVIS fee (I-901 fee). You can pay the SEVIS fee by going to the website www.ice.gov. You must pay by credit card (Visa, Master, American Express). After you pay your SEVIS fee you will immediately receive a receipt; print the receipt and present it at your Visa interview on the scheduled date.
4. Take your signed I-20, financial documentation, acceptance letter (this will be sent with your I-20), the receipt of your remittance of the visa application fee, the receipt of your remittance of I-901 SEVIS fee, and your passport to the American Embassy or Consular Offices in your area. Your financial documentation should include bank statements, certified letters of credit, annual salary, and the total available or anticipated assets of your immediate family.
5. You may have two interviews: one at the American Embassy or Consulate in your country and another at the Port of Entry. Do not pack your I-20, passport, financial information, or acceptance letter in your suitcase. You will need to present your passport when you go through Customs, and you will need all of this information if you have a second interview at the Port of Entry.