Form I-20 Requirements

Because it takes a long time to apply for and receive a visa to enter the United States in Non-immigrant (F-1) Student status, students who are requesting immigration documents should submit the complete and signed application form and financial documentation at least two months before the starting date of their first semester of enrollment.

If you are concerned about the amount of time it may take to receive your documents via airmail, we can Express Mail your documents to you. You can enclose an Express Mail fee with your application materials and application fee. If you are interested in using Express Mail, please email us at ielp@temple.edu for the cost of Express Mail to your country.

If you intend to apply for an F-1 Student visa, you are required to submit to the Intensive English Language Program certification that you will have available the minimum sum of the first session's tuition, living expenses, and fees for 4 months (US$9,500); this figure does not include travel expenses. The I20 you will be issued will be valid for one year.

To meet the regulations of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, the Intensive English Language Program cannot send you a Form I-20 until we receive sufficient financial proof in one or more of the following forms:

For a student funding herself or himself: A current ORIGINAL bank statement showing a minimum of US$ 9500.00 on bank letterhead, indicating the student's name and including a bank officer's signature and official seal. This statement must be written in English, and it must show all amounts in United States dollars. (If the amount shown is not in United States dollars, an equivalence to United States dollars must be included.)

For a student sponsored by another person: A current ORIGINAL bank statement showing a minimum of US$ 9500.00 on bank letterhead, in the sponsor's name, signed by a bank official. This must be in English, and it must show all amounts in United States dollars. In addition, your sponsor should complete an "Affidavit of Support" form including the student's name and date of birth, the sponsor's name and relationship to the student, and a small paragraph which states exactly what the sponsor will provide (for example, money for tuition, living expenses, room and board). The sponsor must sign this letter. If the sponsor is a United States permanent resident or citizen, s/he must fill out a government document entitled I-134. This document may be obtained from our office, or from another university or establishment that carries government documents. The sponsor must also sign the financial certificate found on the application form.

For a student receiving a scholarship: A scholarship award letter, on the organization's letterhead, in English, indicating the student's name and stating the specific expenses that the organization will cover.

AND

the financial certificate (completed and signed) and all original bank documents attached to the application form.

The Intensive English language program requires that documents submitted for financial certification be original documents or certified copies of documents. All documents must be in English. In cases where original documents are not in English, certified translations must accompany the original documents.

NEW! NEW! NEW!

AFTER you receive your I-20 and BEFORE you apply for a visa to enter the United States, you will need to pay the SEVIS fee. Go to this website and follow the instructions carefully. Click here.

When you go to your VISA appointment, you must show financial documentation to the United States Consular Officer to prove that you have sufficient funds for your studies in the United States. Therefore, we suggest that you make certified copies of all financial documentation before you submit them to the Intensive English Language Program. In addition, you must show the receipt for your SEVIS fee payment.

All students should be aware of the following:

As you make your final arrangements for your stay at the Intensive English Language Program, you should not expect to work once while you are enrolled as a student in the Intensive English Language Program.

At this time, there is no financial aid available to students enrolled in the Intensive English Language Program. Therefore, you should be sure to have sufficient funds for your full period of study here.

Spouses and/or children of F-1 student visa holders (those who normally enter the United States with an F-2 visa) cannot work while they are in the United States. F-2 spouses cannot study full time and are therefore restricted to 1 class (maximum 6 hours). For regulations regarding children, please secure this information from the related government website United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Students entering the United States in Non-immigrant Visitor for Pleasure (B-2, "tourist visa") status may apply for admission provided the date on the I-94 card is still valid. However, students who enter the United States in B-2 status may not study full-time in the Intensive English Language Program and are therefore restricted to 1 class (maximum 6 hours) . A visitor to the United States in this status must submit an application to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. for a change of status to Non-immigrant Student status before being permitted to study full-time. Staff at the Intensive English Language Program will assist visitors who wish to apply for a change of status.

If you are currently studying in the United States and would like to transfer to the Temple University Intensive English Language Program, please see Information for Transfer Students.

HAVE YOU:

	Answered all of the questions and signed the application?
	Indicated complete address to which the I-20 should be sent?
	Enclosed all of the necessary ORIGINAL financial documentation?
	Enclosed your $50.00 application fee?
	Considered using Express Mail to receive your documents quickly? If so, have you enclosed the Express Mail fee, payable by a check drawn on a U.S. bank or international money order?

PLEASE SEND EVERYTHING TO:

INTENSIVE ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROGRAM

1700 N. BROAD STREET

Suite 211

PHILADELPHIA PA 19122

TELEPHONE: (215) 204 7899 FAX: (215) 204 3892

ielp@temple.edu www.temple.edu/ielp