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1 |
How
do I apply to study at Zoni Language Centers? |
| Click
here to find more
information about how you may apply to Zoni Language
Centers! |
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2 |
Getting
an F-1 visa |
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 Q:
How do I get an F-1 visa? |
You must apply at the embassy or consulate office
in your country. You will need to provide the US
embassy with your I-20
(What
is an I-20?), completed application forms
and proof of financial evidence. Some countries may have additional
requirements. You can get the latest information
from the US embassy in your country. What is an F-1 visa?
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| Q:
How do I get an I-20? |
When Zoni Language Centers Admissions Office receives
your completed
application, deposits, and financial certification
documents, your application will be processed within
two business days and an acceptance packet will be
sent to you. It typically takes about two weeks for
your I-20 documents to arrive.
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| Q:
What specific information do I need to provide to get my I-20? |
You must submit your application form with proof
of financial evidence. It can be:
1. Self-sponsorship
Bank Statement- minimum balance of $15,200 for one
year, $10,200 for 6 months
2. Sponsor in home country
- Notarized sponsor letter
- Sponsor's bank statement
Bank Statemen t- minimum balance of $15,200 for one
year and $10,200 for 6 months
- Proof of relationship
3. Sponsor in the US
- Notarized Affidavit
of Support (For legal residents and U.S.
citizens)
- Notarized Sponsorship Letter
- Recent bank statement or bank letter - minimum balance
$15,2000
- Previous year's income tax return (optional)
- Sponsor's Job Letter (Position, time employed and
salary)
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| Q:
Do I have to go to the embassy or consulate? |
No, every country has different requirements. You
must check with the American embassy in
your country for the latest information. Currently
all F-1 visa applicants in all countries must apply
for an interview. You must
call the U.S. Embassy in your country to make an appointment for this interview.
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| Q:
How can I improve my chances to be approved for a
visa? |
1) You need proof or evidence showing that you will return to your
home country after completing your studies.
2) You must have a minimum amount of money in your account to pay for
school and your living expenses while you
are studying.
3) It is helpful to submit proof of social, economic
and familial connections to your country such as
a employment, continuing education, family, etc.
4) A tuition deposit is required but it is also helpful to show proof of advanced payment.
5) Arrange for Homestay. Some officials may want
to know where you plan to stay. Pay for your Homestay in advance to prove that you have accommodations.
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| Q: How long does it take to get a visa? |
The amount of time to obtain a visa varies and is affected by many factors. The US government provides more information on visa wait times.
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| Q: How soon can I come to the United States with an F-1 visa? |
You may arrive up to 30 days before the start of
school as indicated on your I-20.
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| Q:
Should I get health insurance? |
Yes, it is recommended! You must talk to the
ISO for more information about your student health insurance options.
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3 |
I already have an F-1 Visa |
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| Q:
If I am in the United States and my visa expires, do I have to
leave? |
Your visa is like permission to enter the United States.
Once you arrive in the U.S., a BCIS officer will determine
how long you can stay in the country with your F1 status. Once your visa expires, you can stay in the
country as long as you pursue a full-time course of study
without any violation(s).
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| Q:
How long can I stay in the United States after I complete the
program? |
If you successfully complete all courses and
are in good standing, you can stay an additional 60 days. If you have
not completed the program and must leave for your country, you can stay 15 days with ISO's permission.
If you are dismissed or have problems maintaining
your status, you must return to your country immediately.
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| Q:
What if I get sick or have an emergency? |
Please contact the International Student Service/ISO as soon as possible. In order to maintain your F-1 visa, you must attend at least 80% of all your classes. If the sickness or emergency does not allow you maintain your 80% attendance, please contact the ISO immediately.
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| Q: When can I enter the United States after receiving my F-1 visa? |
Please be aware that United States Department of Homeland Security regulations state that holders of F-1 nonimmigrant visas will not be admitted to the United States until a date thirty days or less (0-30 days) before the beginning of your program start date, as given on your I-20 form. An immigration inspector may deny you entry into the United States if you use your F-1 visa earlier than this thirty (30) day period. Please consider your arrival date carefully when making your travel plans to the United States.
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4 |
Transfer |
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| Q:
How do I transfer to Zoni Language Centers? |
If you are currently studying at another language
school, you may transfer to Zoni Language Centers
by applying online and submitting your completed
Transfer Certification Form and Financial evidence.
Download
your PDF Transfer Form
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| Q:
How long do I have to wait to transfer from a different school to Zoni? |
You may typically take up to 60 days between leaving one school to another. It
is very important that you talk with us before you
make any permanent plans to transfer.
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| 5 |
Change
of Status |
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| Q:
What does change of status mean? |
People who enter the U.S. are admitted
under "other non immigrant status" (such as "tourist") may apply for a change of status to F-1
visa while they are in the U.S.
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| Q:
How can I apply for my change of status? |
1. Interview with the ISO (please stop by the ISO at our Manhattan
address:
22 West 34th Street, 6th fl.) Monday to Friday from 10:00
a.m. to 6:00 p.m.)
2. Complete the
I-539 form (application to extend/change non-immigrant
status).
3. Purchase a $200 money order fee and make it payable to BCIS.
4. Complete
Zoni Application Form
5. Provide financial requirements
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| Q:
What happens if I am "out-of-status"?
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Students who are "out-of-status"
have two options: apply for re-instatement with
the BCIS (formerly INS) or return to your home
country immediately.
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| Q:
Can I still maintain lawful status even though my duration
of stay expired while I was waiting for the BCIS approval? |
Yes, your status will be
lawful until you get a formal answer.
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| Q:
How long may it take to get this (BCIS) approval? |
Each case is unique. It typically takes 60-90 days after you receive a notice of receipt.
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| Q:
What if I do not receive any answer or letter after
30 days? |
Please talk with the ISO
official immediately.
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| Q:
While I am waiting for an answer, what should I do if I need to change my address? |
Please contact the ISO immediately so that they may update your
address in the SEVIS database.
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| Q:
I did not receive my I-20 but I got the approval. |
If you have not received the original I-20, please ask
the school to give you a duplicate as soon as possible.
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6 |
Reinstatement |
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| Q:
What is F-1 Reinstatement? |
An F-1 student who has overstayed his or her authorized
period of stay or has otherwise failed to maintain
F-1 student status may be reinstated to lawful F-1
status at the discretion of an Bureau of Citizenship
and Immigration Services (BCIS) District Director.
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| Q:
Who can apply for reinstatement? |
The BCIS Director may reinstate
the student to lawful F-1 status, if he or she:
1. Establishes to the satisfaction of the BCIS Director
that the violation of status resulted from circumstances
beyond the student's control or that failure to
receive reinstatement to lawful F-1 status would
result in extreme hardship to the student;
2. Is currently pursuing, or intending to pursue,
a full course of study at the school that issued
the Form I-20;
3. Has not engaged in unauthorized employment; and
4. Is not deportable on any ground other than overstaying
or failing to maintain status
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7 |
Glossary |
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| Q:
What is an I-20? |
An I-20 is an official document
issued by a school. It certifies that the student
has been accepted into a full-time program at that
school and that the student has submitted documented
proof of having sufficient funds to pay for his/her
educational program. The school does not issue visas.
The student takes the I-20 to the American consulate
or embassy in his/her country and uses it to apply
for a student (F-1) visa. The visa is used only
to enter the United States. How do I get an I-20?
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| Q:
What is an F-1 visa? |
It gives you permission to enter the United States to study. You need to apply for an F-1 visa by contacting the
embassy in your country and interviewing with them.
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| Q:
What is an I-94? |
You will complete the I-94 upon your arrival in
the U.S.A. . An immigration officer will check your I-20
(if you are an F-1 visa holder) and stamp your I-94.
If you have an F-1 visa, the officer will write "D/S"
on your I-94. If you are here on a tourist or waiver
visa, the officer will stamp your expiration date
in the I-94.
It is the I-94 that shows how long you may stay
in the US, so do not damage or lose your I-94!
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| Q:
What is SEVIS? |
SEVIS stands for Student & Exchange Visitor Information
System. It is an Internet communication between
U.S. embassies, the immigration office and the schools.
Schools must notify the BCIS of any changes of international
students and exchange visitors through this
system.
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| Q:
What does "in-status" mean? |
You are in good standing with your school. To stay
"in-status" you need to be attending school
and making progress.
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| Q:
What does "out-of-status" mean? |
This means that you are not meeting the requirements
of an F-1 visa student. For example, you are not
attending enough classes, or you are failing too
many classes.
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| Q:
What happens if I am "out-of-status"? |
Students who are "out-of-status" have
two options: apply for re-instatement with the BCIS,
(formerly INS), or go home.
If you drop out of your school, you have to leave
America within 15 days. If you finished your school
term in good standing, you can take up to 60 days
before returning to your home country.
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| Q:
What is a transfer? |
If you want to change schools, you need to transfer.
Students have the right to transfer to another school but there are some rules that must be followed.
Usually you will have to complete you current term
before transferring and give your school advanced
notice. Your school may also require that you fill
out a transfer form.
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| Q:
What is an affidavit of support? |
It is a form that your sponsor signs promising
to support you financially during your studies.
Download
here a PDF format of this form.
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8 |
Refund
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| Q:
Will I get a refund if my visa is denied? |
Yes.
If you are denied your visa, we will refund 100% of
your pre-paid tuition. Please note that we refund
the tuition only. All fees, such as the application
fee, mailing fee and bank wiring fees are non- refundable.
To get the refund you must send us your original
I-20 and a signed form requesting the refund.
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