Please visit studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students for information regarding Foreign
Students. Once you have received your acceptance letter, you may begin the process of applying for your I-20 for F-1 student status.

Please note: Any Seminary applicant who is not a U.S. citizen and does not hold U.S. Permanent Resident status (“Green Card”) must obtain an I-20 in order to study at the Division of Higher Learning. We can only enroll international students who have been issued an I-20.

It is imperative that you obtain your student visa and enter the United States in F-1
Status before leaving your home country. To facilitate submission of the documents required for issuance of your I-20, please review and complete the checklist below. You may have already submitted some of
these items; however, we ask that you resubmit them specifically for the I-20 processing office. Please allow one to two weeks for processing. We strongly recommend submitting all materials as early as possible. Please email all required documents to: [email protected]

 

 

Required Documents:

1. Copy of passport photo page

 

2. Evidence of Financial Ability: “Letter of Support” indicating the name of the person who will be financially responsible for the student while she is attending Associated Beth Rivkah Schools, Division of Higher Learning.  You must provide a copy of a bank statement indicating that this person has the means to support you while you are attending our school. If your parents cannot provide a bank statement showing a minimum of $20,000, please get a letter of support from a relative or friend. See sample. 

 

3. “SEVIS STUDENT REPORTING REQUIREMENTS” letter signed by student and parent.

Please click HERE to download the form.
 
4. Typed foreign address and phone number.

 

5. If available, your Crown Heights address and phone number.

 

6. If your diploma is in a foreign language, we need both the original diploma and  an English translated version of your diploma.  At the bottom of the translation, the following statement is required:"I am proficient in both English and _______ languages, and translated this diploma for (name of student) to the best of my knowledge". The signature of the translator is required. Please note that your I-20 can only be processed after financial registration has been completed and the required tuition deposit has been paid. Financial Registration details will be sent separately from [email protected]

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Steps to follow to obtain a Student Visa:​

1. Once we receive all of the above, we will issue the FORM I-20, (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status). The Form will have your SEVIS ID #.  You will need this form for your visa interview at the U.S. embassy.

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     2. When you receive your I-20 Form, go to FMJFee.com  and pay the I-901 SEVIS fee. The fee is $350 at present.  Once you've paid this fee, print the confirmation page as you’ll need to bring it to your visa interview.

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     3. You must apply for your international student visa through your nearest U.S. embassy or U.S. consulate. For more details of what you may need, visit your embassy’s official website or contact your embassy directly.  (Canadian citizens need to have an I-20, but they do not need a Visa. See https://ca.usembassy.gov/visas/canadian-students/ for more information. You will be required to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee.)

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Upon arrival in the United States:

​Upon arrival in the United States, please see Mrs. Sheindel Akselrod ([email protected]) the Division of Higher Learning SEVIS DSO (Designated School Official). 

You will bring the following: 

1. I-20, stamped by the INS.

2. A copy of your I-94 that you will receive at Customs when you arrive in the U.S.

3. Your Crown Heights address and phone number.

 

She will then “register” you in SEVIS to confirm that you are attending school in the US.

(You have to be registered for each semester to make sure that you are fulfilling all of your academic and financial requirements)    

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Students on an I-20 (F1 Visa) are permitted to enter the United States 30 days before the start date of their program.  Generally, a student cannot arrive more than one week after classes start and must be enrolled full-time for that semester.

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You have 60 days after completion of your program (the program end date on your Form I-20) to leave the United States.

 

Safe travels!!