Change Your Visa Status to F1

A change of status is not the best option for everyone.  Sometimes, leaving the country and applying for an F-1 can be cheaper, faster and easier.  If you are unsure, you can email english@hoft.edu for advice.

Please note: The US Government recommends that students apply for their change of status at least 45 days before their 1-94 expires.

How to Change Your Status

We recommend you use an attorney.

Click here for a list of immigration attorneys who can help you in Austin.

Below is what our school will need:

• Completed Application

• $150 Application Fee

• Copy of Passport (and passports of dependents)

• Statement of Purpose – 3-4 sentences written by the student explaining why they want to study English.

• Recent bank statement (less than one year old) showing at least US$8000 for one semester, or $16,000 for a full year (both of these also require an additional $2000 for each dependent, if applicable)

• Sponsor letter (if the student will not pay for their own living expenses) – Must include the account holder’s name, their relationship with the student. This letter must state that the sponsor will cover any living expenses (rent, tuition and so on) while the student is in the United States.

If you are changing your status INSIDE the US, you will need to provide us with the following items in addition to the items listed above before we can issue the I-20:

• $350 nonrefundable admin fee

• $3500 tuition deposit for the first session of the 15 week program (only refundable if the change of status is denied)

Once we have received these documents and payments our Student Advisor will create the student’s I-20.

How the Immigration Attorney will help:

You will also need to mail the following documents to the Department of Homeland Security:

1) Evidence of financial support  which covers the amount of time to be shown on the I-20

2) Form I-20 (provided by HOFT Institute)

3) Receipt showing payment of SEVIS Fee – payable directly to the Department of Homeland Security online at www.fmjfee.com  after obtaining an I-20 from the ESL Program Director.

4) A letter written to USCIS requesting permission and explaining the reason for a change to F-1 status.

5) Copy of passport, current visa, and I-94 card (stapled in your passport) and any other documents verifying your current status (i.e. I-797, dependent I-20, etc.)

7) Cashier’s check or money order payable to “Department of Homeland Security”

8) Form I-539 (http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-539.pdf)

If you have any questions, please contact us at that email, or by phone at 512-472-6666. We are available by phone from 9 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday.

F1 Student Visa Application

Applying for your F-1 Student Visa

You can get your F-1 visa and study English in the United States.  Here are the steps.

1. You should apply to HOFT Institute online application + $150 application fee

2. We will review your application, and we may ask you for any additional documents
   You can send these additional documents to english@hoft.edu for review

3. We will create your I-20, and we will email a copy of your I-20 to review
   The I-20 has your school start date. You will need this information and the I-20 for your F-1 visa application.

4. Our adviser will email your I-20 to you
   We will email you an electric copy of your I-20. You will need your physical I-20 for the F-1 visa interview.

5. Then, you can pay the I-901 Fee (US Government SEVIS Fee)
   Link: SEVIS Fee
   SEVIS Fee instructions
   You will also need the receipt of payment for the $350 SEVIS I-901 fee. You may pay the fee by credit card at www.fmjfee.com. To pay the fee, you must look at your I-20 form. You must enter your SEVIS ID number (top-left corner of the I-20 form) along with our School Code (Section number 2). You should print your receipt after paying the SEVIS I-901 fee. You must take this receipt, this letter and your I-20 to the United States Embassy or Consulate when you apply for your F-1 student visa.

6. Then, you can make an appointment at the nearest US Embassy in your country
   Each embassy has fees. You can ask your embassy for more information about its fees. Practice for the F-1 Visa Interview: F-1 Visa Interview Questions

After F-1 Visa Approval

Congratulations!  You are coming to the United States!  You can buy your airplane ticket.

1. First, you should contact english@hoft.edu and give us your arrival date. You can arrive in the United States 30 days before the start date on your I-20. You cannot arrive more than 30 days early.

2. Next, you should make detailed plans:
   Housing | Airport Pickup
   Student Insurance

3. Finally, you should go to HOFT Institute
   You can look at your I-20 form. The I-20 form has your school start date. Do you want to visit us before your official start date? You can visit us early and say, “Hello!”

FAQ

After I finish one semester at HOFT, do I need to leave the United States immediately?

Once you complete one semester at HOFT, you have many options.
1. You can apply for the next semester at HOFT Institute.
2. You can transfer your I-20 to a college or university.
3. You can choose to return to your home country. If you choose to return to your home country, you will have 60 days to leave the United States.

Do I need to leave the country to extend my I-20 form?

No.  HOFT Institute can extend your I-20 inside the United States.  There may be some exceptions, so we can help you explore your options.

After HOFT, can I transfer to a university without returning to my home country?

Yes.  First, you will need an acceptance letter from the university.

Do I get a vacation?

Yes!  After 2 consecutive semesters at HOFT, you can enjoy a vacation for 1 semester.  Basically, you attend 2 semesters, and you can stay in the United States for 3 semesters!  You can also use the vacation to study for your GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, IELTS, or TSI.

After I successfully finish Level 5 English at HOFT, can you help me transfer to a university?

Yes.  We have special university partners.  Some of these partner schools will waive your TOEFL requirements.

Need Help? HOFT helps prospective students with I-20 Forms and obtaining student visas. We look forward to having you in our ESL classes and helping you plan your visit to the United States. Contact us to begin the process of applying for admission and learning English in the USA!