Steps to Become an International Student:
1.New Students from Outside the United States:
- Fill out an Application for Admission and email to info@aaitschool.com or fax it (684.6947). with a copy of your valid international passport and a bank statement to show sufficient finances
- Pay the down-payment to AAIT to receive the I-20 form and a Letter of Acceptance to the Program (bank transfer; money order; credit card; personally)
You need your I-20 before you can apply for the F-1 visa.
- The International Student Office will send you the Form 1-20 for your Embassy/Consulate F-1 appointment. This form certifies your eligibility to study at AAIT but does not guarantee visa approval. Your documents are shipped 3-5 days following the date on which the payment went through.
- Pay SEVIS I-901 fee. The SEVIS I-901 fee is required to be able to schedule a visa interview. Once you receive your Form I-20, go to the SEVIS I-901 fee processing site for instructions on paying your SEVIS fee.
- Apply for visa/schedule interview
Refer to the U.S. Department of State non-immigrant visa site to complete the required application forms:
DS-156; DS-157; DS-158
Confirm you have the required documents and schedule your visa interview following the instructions on the website of your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
Be sure your name is spelled correctly and appears the same on all documents.
Useful Information when Preparing for a Visa Interview:
At NAFSA official website read “10 points to remember when applying for a non-immigrant visa”
Note: You may not receive an F-1 visa more than 120 days before the program start date on your I-20/DS-2019.
If all goes according to plan, you will receive an F-1 visa stamp in your passport. Congratulations!
Check your visa for errors before you leave the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Some U.S. Embassies actually put your I-20 in a sealed envelope and staple it to your passport. It is recommended that you do not open this envelope. The immigration officer at the U.S. port-of-entry will open it and check your documents when you arrive.
- Make travel arrangements
DO NOT make travel arrangements until your visa is approved.
Plan to arrive in the United States two to four weeks before the program start date. You may NOT enter the U.S. more than 30 days before this date. You must enter the U.S. by the program start date on your I-20 to avoid being turned away at the U.S. port-of-entry.