F-1 VISA students
F-1 Student Application Instructions
Initial F-1 Application Procedure
- Fill out the online F-1 International Student Application
- Scan the following documents and upload them in PDF format with your application:
- Copy of passport (including dependents if any)
- Affidavit of Support by U.S. Citizen: I-134 or Excel English Institute’s Sponsor Statement of Support
- Bank statements from the last three months showing a minimum balance of $15,550 USD
- Pay $150.00 application fee (you will receive a link to pay this online upon submitting your completed F-1 International Student Application)
Transfer International Students (within the U.S.) Application Procedure
- Fill out the online F-1 International Student Application
- Scan the following documents and upload them in PDF format with your application:
- Copy of passport, visa, Form I-94, all previous I-20s (including dependents if any)
- Affidavit of Support by U.S. Citizen: I-134 or Excel English Institute’s Sponsor Statement of Support
- Bank statements from the last three months showing a minimum balance of $15,550 USD
- Prepare the top portion of the Transfer Eligibility Form and give to your current DSO to complete.
- Pay $150.00 application fee (you will receive a link to pay this online upon submitting your completed F-1 International Student Application)
Reinstatement Application Procedure
- Fill out the F-1 International Student Application
- Scan the following documents and upload them in PDF format with your application:
- Copy of passport, visa, form I-94, all previous I-20s (including dependents if any)
- Affidavit of Support by U.S. Citizen: I-134 or Excel English Institute’s Sponsor Statement of Support
- Bank statements from the last three months showing a minimum balance of $15,550 USD
- Personal statement letter explaining the reason for falling out of status. Include details about hardships or extenuating circumstances that contributed to your situation. The letter should state that you are requesting reinstatement, the reason why you fell out of status, and your plans to pursue your study path and follow regulations. Your signature should be at the bottom.
- Prepare the top portion of the Transfer Eligibility Form and give to your current DSO to complete.
- The form I-539 will be completed by our Reinstatement Advisor at the time of your final appointment.
- $420 Online Filing fee for single applicants. This is by card only. If there are dependents, the applicant must paper file. The paper filing fee is $470 and must be paid with form G-1450 (credit card transactions) or G-1650 (ACH transactions – U.S. Banks only).
- Pay $150 application fee (you will receive a link to pay this online upon submitting your completed F-1 International Student Application)
- Pay $400.00 (single applicant) or $500 (applicant with dependents) reinstatement petition application fee to Excel English Institute at the time of the final appointment.
Change of Status Application Procedure – Make An Appointment
PLEASE NOTE: Some visa types, such as B-1/B-2 and F-2, do not allow full-time study while a change of status to F-1 is pending. B-1/B-2 visa holders generally cannot begin full-time classes until their F-1 status is approved. F-2 dependents may only study part-time unless they change to F-1 status.
Processing times vary by USCIS and can take several months or longer. For the most accurate and up-to-date estimates, please refer to the USCIS Processing Times tool: https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/. It may be faster to leave the USA, apply for an F-1 visa, and re-enter with an initial F-1 status.
- Fill out the F-1 International Student Application
- Scan the following documents and upload them in PDF format with your application:
- Copy of passport, visa, form I-94, all previous I-20s (including dependents if any)
- Affidavit of Support by U.S. Citizen: I-134 or Excel English Institute’s Sponsor Statement of Support
- Bank statements from the last three months showing a minimum balance of $15,550 USD
- Personal statement letter explaining why you wish to change your visa status to F-1. Include details of your study plans. The letter should state that you are requesting to change your visa to F-1, the reason why you want to change status, and that you have followed all the regulations. Your signature should be at the bottom.
- Check that you have a valid visa and passport. Your form I-94, which lists your arrival and departure dates, also lists an expiration date for your stay. If you have expired documents, you will not be able to change your status without leaving the country, in most circumstances. You may need to extend your visa until your case is adjudicated.
- The form I-539 will be completed by our Immigration Advisor at the time of your final appointment.
- Pay $150 application fee (you will receive a link to pay this online upon submitting your completed F-1 International Student Application)
- Pay $400.00 (single applicant) or $500 (applicant with dependents) change of status petition application fee (upon acceptance)
- Pay first month’s tuition ($750) prior to beginning classes
Criteria
The criteria for admission to Excel English Institute are that applicants must be 16 years of age or older*, must fulfill all the requirements of the application procedure for an available session in a timely manner, and must demonstrate compatibility with Excel’s mission and goals.
*Students ages 13–15 are eligible to participate in our summer program, which runs each year during June and July. Please note that this program is not available for F-1 visa holders, as it is a condensed program designed specifically for younger, local students.
Please Note: If you are a prospective student outside of the U.S., you can only apply for the following programs:
or send your documentation via:
Email: info@excelei.com
Mail: 1101 East Arapaho Rd, Suite 150, Richardson, TX 75081
