F1 Visa Information 

How to apply for a student visa if you are in your country:

• Fill out the Aston International Academy "Application for Enrollment."
• Mail the application, or fill it out online here: https://www.astonusa.com/application.html.
  
• Pay a $100 registration fee, or $150 registration fee if we need to mail you an I-20 via DHL. 
• Provide a financial document that you or a family member in your country have enough money to pay for your school and living expenses while you’re in the US. We estimate $2400 for each month of study. For example, if you want an I-20 for 4 months, you must have proof of $9600. You need to add an additional $400 per person per month if you have any dependents (children or a spouse). If a US sponsor is going to support you, the sponsor needs to fill out and submit the the I-134. Directions and the application are here: https://www.uscis.gov/i-134
• Provide a scanned copy of the photo page of your passport.
• After we receive your papers and accept you as a student, we will send you an I-20.
• Visit this website - https://www.fmjfee.com – to make the I-901 payment of $350. You need to print the receipt and keep it with all of your documents - they will not give you a visa without it!
• Consult the instructions for applying for the F1 Student Visa on the website of your local/nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
• Have a digital photo of your face ready on your computer. You will need to upload this photo when completing your online visa application. The size of the photo must be between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (22mm and 35mm). The photo must be no more than 6 months old.
• Complete the DS-160 application (this is your official F1 visa application) here: https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/.
• Pay the F1 Visa application fee (cost varies by country).
• Print the confirmation page of the DS-160 application after you complete it.
• Schedule your visa interview.
• Have a list of all of your social media names ready.
• Have a list of all email addresses and phone numbers you have used in the past.

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What to Bring to your Visa Interview and when you Enter the U.S:

• Your original, signed I-20 document mailed by Aston International Academy
• Original financial documents (i.e. bank statement) – these should be recent
• Your passport
• Your signed Aston Acceptance Letter
• Your From DS-160 confirmation page
• I-901 fee payment receipt
• A printed copy of your photo (in case your photo upload fails)
• Any additional supporting evidence

What to Expect at your Visa Interview:

• Be prepared to answer questions about:
  • Why you chose the US to study English, and how long you will stay.
  • Your family members - where they live, and what they do.
  • Your current and past social media, email and phone accounts and whether you have friends or family in the US.
  • The cost of your school and housing and how you or your sponsor with pay for your time in the US.
  • Your job (if you have one) and salary in your home country.
  • Your plans for when you finish studying English, and when you return to your home country.

What to Expect when you Arrive in the US:

• The customs official will ask to see all your documents.
• The official may ask you questions about the reason or length of your stay.
• The official may ask for your phone and look at your email or social media contacts.

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Authorization: 
AIA is authorized by the US Immigration and Naturalization Services and by the Department of Justice to issue the I-20 AB Form, qualifying foreign students that wish to come to the United States and study English as a second language.