How do I get a student visa?
If you are interested in getting a student visa, please click on F-1 student visa for more information.
After I submit my application to LADO, how do I get the I-20 application? Will LADO send my documents to the consulate?
No, LADO does not send the I-20 documents to the consulate to your country. The I-20 application will be sent to you. You can arrange for a family or friend member in Washington, DC to send the I-20 application to you. If you do not have family or friends in DC, then LADO can send the I-20 to you for an additional $75 international express shipping fee.
Who can be my sponsor?
Anyone can be your sponsor. Your father, a cousin, or a family friend. The sponsor should be a person who has enough financial means to support you full time for the entire duration of your studies in the United States. The sponsor needs to submit financial documents which prove his/her economic situation. Please seeF-1 student visa for more information.
Do I need a sponsor if I can financially support myself?
No. If you have enough money to support yourself, you do not need a sponsor. To be your own sponsor, you must demonstrate that you have $1,500 saved for every month that you want to be in the United States. For example, if you plan to be in the United States for one year, you will need to have a bank letter that demonstrates that you have $18,000 in your bank account to support yourself.
Can my sponsor documents be in my native language?
No, your sponsor documents must be in English so that the consulate and LADO staff can read and understand them.
What is the I-901 SEVIS fee?
The I-901 SEVIS fee is mandatory payment that all F-1 visa applicants must pay before they go to the consulate to apply for the visa. The I-901 SEVIS fee enters you into the Immigration and Customs Enforcement database. The I-901 SEVIS fee cannot be paid until you have received your I-20. This fee can be paid at Department of Homeland Security You must bring the receipt for this fee to the consular appointment with you. This is not the same fee that the consulate requires for an appointment.
Can I study at LADO for one month with the student visa?
Yes, only if you are returning to country immediately after your studies end. If you are going to stay in the United States, you must study at LADO for three consecutive months.
Can I transfer to another school with my F-1 visa?
Yes. If you have been accepted to another school or university, you may transfer to that university after studying at LADO for three months. If you would like to transfer before the three month period, you will be required to pay a $680 penalty.
Can I work with the F-1 student visa?
Yes. However, you are only allowed to work at LADO International College. F-1 visa students are able to work 20 hours while studying. You are not allowed to work outside of LADO International College. LADO centers have positions available for student workers, but there are very few. As such, we cannot guarantee that there will be a position available for you.
My visa was denied. Will you refund everything?
LADO will refund the two month deposit and the registration fee. However, LADO will not refund any shipping fees or wire transfer fees.
I made a mistake for the information on my I-20. How do I get a new one?
If you provided incorrect information for your I-20, we can provide you a corrected one. However, you must send back the I-20 to us before we can send you the corrected one. Additionally, there is a $50 reprint fee to correct and reprint the I-20, and if you require shipping, you will have to pay the $75 international priority shipping again. The same procedure applies if you would like to change the start date on your I-20.
I am studying at another school in the United States with an F-1 visa. Can I transfer my visa to LADO?
Yes! If you are interested in transferring to LADO, please contact the LADO center you would like to study at so we can confirm your status and give you the appropriate documents.