Visa Step-by-Step

Once you have your I-20

Once you have received your I-20 from the Community College of Aurora, you need to apply for your student visa. Please pick the option below that is appropriate for your situation.

Following is a list of the most frequently used forms in the application process for a new or transfer F-1 or M-1 student visa. Some of these forms are located on the USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) website and others are on CCA's website. All forms below are in PDF format. You will need Adobe Acrobat to access these files. If you don't have this program, it's available as a free download from the Adobe Systems Website. Download the free Adobe Reader now.

Option One: Obtaining an F-1 visa at a US Consular Office

If you are still in your home country and plan to apply for your visa from home, your application must include the following items:

• Properly completed Form I-20
• Evidence of financial ability to meet expenses
• Evidence of English ability sufficient for course of study
• Evidence of intent to depart US after completion of studies
• Passport valid for at least six months
• Form DS-156 “Nonimmigrant Visa Application”
• Form DS-157, if applicable
• Form DS-158
• Photograph
• Machine Readable Visa (MRV) surcharge fee (currently $100)
• Visa reciprocity fee (if applicable, varies by country—check with your consular office for exact amount)
• Complete the I-901 and pay the $200 SEVIS fee. You can complete the form and pay online at www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/index.jsp.

  You will need to input your SEVIS student number (the number in the upper right corner of your I-20 that begins with an "N") and the CCA School Code (also on your I-20--begins with DEN) on the I-901.

• Submit all of the above to the consular office having jurisdiction over your place of residence.

Option Two: Change of Status to F-1

If you are currently in the US and you wish to have your status changed while still in the United States, your application must include the following:

• Form I-539 - Application to extend or change nonimmigrant status. The student should complete the entire form and sign it.
• Form I-539 fee - $300, in the form of a check or money order payable to “BCIS.”
• Original I-20 - The student should submit an original form I-20 (the entire form). The student and DSO should sign the form where required.
• Form I-94 photocopy - It is sufficient to send a photocopy, since BCIS will generate a new I-94 card as part of the change of status approval notice.

• Photocopy of current immigration status documents, visa stamp, and passport ID pages.

  At issue is whether or not the individual is in status at the time the change of status is being requested. Any immigration document (in addition to the I-94) that may establish the validity of the applicant’s status at the time of application should be included. Copies of the passport ID pages are included for completeness. It is particularly important to send a photocopy of the visa if the student entered on a B-2 “prospective student” visa.

• Photocopy of financial support documents - Same financial support information used to obtain the I-20 from the school.
• Dependent family member documentation - If dependent family members currently in the US plan to change their status as well, their information should be included in Form I-539.
• Letter from the student - It is optional for the student to send a letter explaining why he or she wants to change status to F-1. However, a strong letter can help convince BCIS of the student’s temporary intent as well as persuade BCIS that the student did not have a pre-conceived intention to study in the US.
• Complete the I-901 and pay the $200 SEVIS fee. You can complete the form and pay online at https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/index.jsp.
  

  You will need to input your SEVIS student number (the number in the upper right corner of your I-20 that begins with an "N") and the CCA School Code (also on your I-20--begins with DEN) on the I-901.