F-1 STUDENT VISA 

Use the F-1 to study full-time at CSE.
Full-time at CSE equals 20 hours per week.
Do not use the F-1 to study part-time at CSE.

Apply for the Student Visa only if you intend to become a full-time student in the United States.

The Student Visa (F-1) allows you to register for full-time courses in a college, university, or language school.  A full-time course in an American college or university generally consists of four classes that total 12 credits.

In a language school, a full-time course is determined by the number of hours you take per week.  For example, a full-time course at the CSE consists of 20 hours per week.  You cannot register for part-time courses if you have F-1 status.

To apply for the F-1 in order to become a student at CSE, you must:

• Have a passport with an expiration date of more than 6 months into the future.
• Apply for the I-20 form and register for the semester you want to attend.
• Contact the American Embassy and request an appointment for the F-1.
• Prepare for a possible interview with an embassy official about your visa request.
• Show the embassy official proof that you have sufficient funds for your educational and living expenses in the United States for the duration of your studies.
  

Please contact us if you have any questions about the financial requirements you need to provide the America Embassy. If you are being sponsored by a third party (family member, company, friend), that person must provide the required financial information, as well as an affidavit of support.

If your F-1 application is approved, you will be permitted to travel to the U.S. on a student visa.  PLEASE NOTE:  Once you enter the U.S. you must go to the school that accepted your admission request and register. 

If your F-1 visa is denied, you may need to wait a few months before you can apply again.  Ask the embassy official to give you a copy of his/her written decision so that you can read and understand the reason(s) for the denial.  Contact a CSE international student advisor if you need any help or advice.  
 
Credits (units):  In a language school a full-time course is determined by the number of hours you take per week.  For example, a full-time course at the CSE consists of 18 hours per week.  You cannot register for part-time courses if you have F-1 status.

PLEASE NOTE: You can register at some colleges and apply for a M-1 visa (M-1 visa is for vocational schools which do not deliver any degree), but you cannot switch after from an   M-1 to F-1 visa, unless you return & apply from your country.

 

• Use the B-2 to travel for pleasure in the U.S. and enjoy a short-term course at CSE. 
• Do not use the B-2 to become a full-time student at CSE.
• Become a student in a full-time program at CSE by changing visa status.
• Come to the United States as a tourist, and use some of your free time to learn more about American culture and language.

The Tourist Visa (B-2) allows you to travel to the United States for pleasure.  As a tourist in the U.S., you are permitted to use some of your free time to study English if it does not interfere with your primary activities.  You should not apply for the B-2 if you plan to become a full-time student in an American college or English language school.   This is a serious immigration violation. 

To apply for the B-2 Visa you must:

• Make sure the expiration date on your passport is valid for more than 6 months into the future.
• Contact the American Embassy and request an appointment for the B-2.
• Prepare for a possible interview with an embassy official about your visa request.
• Show the embassy official proof that you can support yourself financially in the U.S for the duration of your stay.
  

If your B-2 application is approved, you will be permitted to travel to the United States on a tourist visa.  When you arrive at the airport, an immigration officer will interview you again and ask you what you plan to do in the U.S.  If you are visiting friends or going sightseeing, make sure that you explain this clearly to the officer.  This information will help him/her decide how much time you need to complete your activities in the U.S.  In general if the immigration officer is satisfied with your answers, he/she may approve your entry to the U.S. for 3 to 6 months.

During your visit in the U.S., you may decide that you want to become a full-time student at CSE.  In order to change your B-2 to an F-1 (student status), you must request permission from the Immigration Department.  If you would like more information about changing visa status, we recommend that you speak with a CSE international student advisor. 

B-2 VISA

 B-1 VISA

• Use the B-1 for your business visit to the U.S. and enjoy a short-term course at CSE. 
• Do not use the B-1 to become a full-time English language student at CSE.
• If you would like to become a full-time student at CSE, you can make your business trip to the U.S. very productive by learning more about the American culture and language with the help of our experiencd and qualified English-teaching instructors.

The Business Visa (B-1) allows you to travel to the United States to conduct business or to learn more about your profession.  As a business traveler in the U.S., you are permitted to enroll in training workshops or attend conferences that are related to your work.  You can also register for a part-time business English course at CSE if it does not interfere with your primary activities. You should not apply for the B-1 if you plan to become a full-time student in a college or English language school.  This is a serious immigration violation.  

To apply for the B-1 Visa you must:

• Make sure the expiration date on your passport is valid for more than 6 months into the future.
• Contact the American Embassy and request an appointment for the B-1.
• Prepare for a possible interview with an embassy official about your visa request.
• Show the embassy official proof that you can support yourself financially in the U.S. for the duration of your stay.

If your B-1 application is approved, you will be permitted to travel to the United States on a business visa.  When you arrive at the airport, an immigration officer will interview you again and ask you what you plan to do in the U.S.  If you are doing research for your company or consulting work, make sure that you explain this clearly to the officer.  This information will help him/her decide how much time you will need to complete your activities in the U.S.  In general, if the immigration officer is satisfied with your answers, he/she may approve your entry to the U.S. for up to 3 months.

During your business visit in the U.S. you may decide that you want to become a full-time student at CSE.  It is very difficult to change status from a B-1 to an F-1 visa (student status) in the U.S.  However, you may still request permission from the Immigration Department if you have strong reasons.  If you would like more information about changing visa status, we recommend that you contact the CSE  international student advisor. 

 J-1 VISA

• Use the J-1 to come to the U.S. as an exchange student or scholar.
  
• Use the W/T for a short trip to the U.S. and enjoy a short-term course at CSE.
  
• Do not use the J-1 or W/T to study full-time at CSE.
  
• Become a student in a full-time program at CSE by changing visa status.
  
• The J-1 and W/T are also available to eligible applicants who want to pursue their educational or career goals in the U.S.

The Exchange Visitor/Scholar Visa (J-1) allows you to travel to the United States to study or teach in an American university as part of an international cultural exchange program.  You can also come to the U.S. on a J-1 to perform work as an ‘au pair.'  You should not apply for the J-1 if you would like to become a full-time student in an English school.  However, you are permitted to take a short part-time English course if it does not interfere with your primary responsibilities as an exchange student, scholar, or au pair. 

 

 VISA WAIVER PROGRAM

The Visa Waiver Program  allows you to travel to the United States without a visa for a short period of time.  Your visit may be for pleasure or to conduct business.  During your short visit to the U.S. you may use some of your free time to practice English by taking a part-time course at CSE if it does not interfere with your other activities.

  It is not possible to extend or change your waiver to a visa once you are in the U.S. The maximum time you are allowed to remain in the country up to 90 days.  If you would like more information about changing visa status, we recommend that you speak with the CSE international student advisor.

Currently, 36 countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program, as shown below:
 
Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland,  Italy,  Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Hungary, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore,  Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.

 I-20 FORM FOR F-1 STUDENTS

To obtain an I-20 form you must:

• Complete the application form and enroll by mail, fax, or Web site, as a full-time student.
• Fax / email / mail a copy of the identification page of your passport.
• Supply financial information from your bank which indicates that you have enough money to cover your tuition and expenses while studying in the U.S. OR, if you have a sponsor, supply a letter from the sponsor indicating that your tuition and expenses are being funded by that sponsor. For example, for each four-week term, your bank statement should show a total of $1,680.00 (For 3 months, you would show a minimum of $5,040.00.)
• Fax the documents to 720-932-0315. Email them, or mail them to Colorado School of English, 331 14th Street, 3rd Floor, Denver, CO 80202 U.S.A.

Overseas Students:

• Pay application fee of $150.00 + $75 Express Mail. This fee is non-refundable.

Local Students (Transfer Students/Students who wish to change their visa from B-1 or B-2 to F-1):

• Register and pay one term's tuition by cash/credit card/check/credit card.

We will send the I-20 Form and acceptance letter to you as soon as we receive the information listed above.

To obtain a Student Visa you must:

• Pay the SEVIS fee: Sevis fee website 
• Bring all of the papers listed above and your passport to the American Consulate or American Embassy in your area. Embassies listing
• Bring the I-20 Form and acceptance letter to the embassy.
• Prepare for a possible interview with an embassy official about your visa request. Please contact us in order to learn how to prepare for the interview.
  
• Note: Be sure to read all of the rules and information on the back of the I-20 Form