Initial I-20 for
F-1 Students
Your first step to an F-1 Student Visa and studying English in Austin, Texas
HOFT Institute is SEVP-certified to issue Form I-20 to international students. We'll guide you through each step of the process from application to arrival in the U.S.
✓ SEVP-Certified School
✓ ACCET Accredited
✓ Authorized to Issue I-20
✓ Flexible start dates
✓ Two-day schedule available
✓ Students from 30+ Countries
✓ University Pathway options
✓ 40+ Years of Experience
What is an Initial I-20?
An Initial I-20 is the official document you need to apply for an F-1 Student Visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your home country. Once you receive your visa, you can travel to the United States and study English full-time at HOFT Institute.
The Process: From Application to Arrival
01
Apply Online
Complete the online application and pay the $150 application fee.
02
Document review
We review your application and may request additional documents.
03
Receive I-20
We issue your I-20 and email it to you for review.
04
Pay SEVIS Fee
Pay the $350 SEVIS I-901 fee to the U.S. government.
05
Visa Interview
Schedule your F-1 visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
06
Visa Approval
Receive your F-1 visa and make plans to come to the U.S.
07
Arrive in Austin
Arrive up to 30 days before your program start date.
08
Start Classes
Attend orientation and begin your English classes.
Documents You Need
✓ Completed online application
Enter your personal, academic, and contact information.
✓ $150 non-refundable application fee
Payable after you complete the application.
✓ Passport copy
The identification page must be clear and valid.
✓ Current visa copy, if applicable
Only required if you already hold a U.S. visa.
✓ Statement of purpose
At least three sentences explaining why you want to study English in the United States.
✓ Recent bank statement
Must show the account holder, a date within the past year, and more than $8,000 USD, plus $2,000 per dependent.
✓ Sponsor letter, when applicable
Needed when the bank account belongs to another person.
Important: All documents must be in English or accompanied by an official English translation.
Financial documents must clearly show that sufficient funds are available for tuition and living expenses.
More than an I-20: a complete English-study experience in Austin
HOFT combines immigration-document support with a welcoming, multicultural ESL environment.
✓ Experienced ESL faculty
Professional teachers and small classes.
✓ Free Conversation Club
4 sessions a week with native English speakers. Open to all students.
✓ University pathways
Academic English and partner-school opportunities.
✓ Multicultural community
Students from many countries study together.
✓ Austin location
Study near the University of Texas and experience one of America’s most dynamic cities.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Apply as early as possible. We recommend submitting your application at least 2–3 months before your desired start date to allow enough time for document processing, I-20 issuance, and your visa interview.
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Once we receive your completed application, payment, and all required documents, most students receive their I-20 within 2–5 business days.
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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. -
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.
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Yes. First, you will need an acceptance letter from the university.
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Yes! After 2 consecutive full 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.
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Yes. After completing your studies at HOFT, you may transfer to a college or university if you meet the admission requirements. HOFT also has university partnerships that can help qualified students continue their education.
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No. Students enrolled in English language programs on an F-1 visa are generally not authorized to work off campus.
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No. HOFT can issue the I-20 and help explain the process, but the U.S. government makes the final decision.
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If your visa is denied, please contact our admissions office. We will review your situation and discuss your available options.
Ready to begin?
Complete your application and our admissions team will guide you through the next steps for your initial Form I-20.