Guidelines for Approval and Process for Nonimmigrant Foreign Student

Department of Catholic Schools

I-20 Service to Obtain F-1 Visa

Although elementary and secondary schools within the Diocese of San Jose are authorized to accept foreign students, they are not obligated to do so.

This process can be involved and sometimes lengthy; the following guideline have been established to make the process as smooth as possible for guardians, sponsors, students, and schools. All correspondence with the Department of Catholic Schools and the school applying to must be in English.

General Guidelines

1. English proficiency. The Department of Catholic Schools requires that the student is proficient in English when applying for a student visa. If, upon starting at the individual school, the school feels that the student’s English is not sufficient, the school may require that the student attend English tutoring classes in the community.
2. Financial support. Guardians/Sponsors/Family members are required to show proof of financial support of the student when applying for the student visa. Tuition varies per school site. In addition to tuition, guardians, sponsors, or students’ families must cover costs of housing, food, and other expenses.

Application Process (School Admission and Form I-20)

It is suggested that a nonimmigrant foreign student applicant begin the visa/application process at least six (6) months in advance of the desired start date.

1. Foreign students must be accepted into a school to begin the I-20 process. Interested applicants must first contact the school directly to obtain admission information and complete the admission process. Part of the admission process is to obtain and complete the following forms necessary to begin the I-20 application.
   • • Application for the I-20 Form is to be completed and submitted by the applicant (student/family), including supporting financial information and documents required with the form. The school collects all required documents.
     • Declaration of Guardianship of Minor to be completed by the guardian/sponsor, and family. This form must be notarized.
     • Affidavit of Financial Support (form I-134) to be complete by the guardian or sponsor, including supporting financial information and documents required with the form.
     • A copy of the student’s passport.
2. Once a school accepts the student and the school official has verified that the guardian/sponsor/family/student and the school has completed the above forms and acquired all required supporting documents, the family or family/guardian may contact the Department of Catholic Schools (408-983-0185) to schedule an appointment to complete the I-20 process. The I-20 form cannot be mailed or emailed, it must be pick up in person from the Primary Designated School Officer (PDSO) located in the Department of Catholic School. Allow at least 30 minutes for the appointment.
3. Along with the required forms and documents, the applicant must present a one-time processing fee ($500 per student beginning their enrollment semester) in the form of a check/money order to the Department Catholic Schools. Online payment is also available for your convenience.
   1. 1. For online payments use this link.
4. The appointment will yield a I-20 form from SEVIS (Student/Exchange Visitor Information System) that the nonimmigrant foreign student will need to obtain an F-1 Visa from the U.S. Department of State or US Embassy.

Applying for an F-1 Visa

1. Application Fee (Form I-901). Once the Form I-20 is obtained, applicants must pay the required fee to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, using Form I-901. The Form may be completed online, using the information found on the Form I-20 and may be paid using a credit card. Print the receipt as proof of payment and present it as part of the F-1 Visa application.
2. U.S. Embassy of consulate appointment. With the Form I-20, the receipt for the I-901 and copies of other supporting documents including the Affidavit of Support (Form I-134), the applicant begins the inquiry and application process by contacting the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in his or her country of origin (passport). Applicant should verify that he or she has all the necessary documents to proceed with the application process.

Traveling with an F-1 Visa

Entry into the U.S. Once the Embassy or Consulate has issued the student an F-1 Visa (visa will be stamped on the passport), the student must keep the original copy of the Form I-20 with the F-1 Visa (passport) in order for smooth entry into the United States.

It is important that guardians, sponsors, families, and students read the requirements specified on the Form I-20 with regards to traveling outside of the U.S., transferring to another educational institution, or changing one’s visa status.

The staff in the Department of Catholic Schools are not experts in Immigration Law and the policies of the State Department. Please consult www.travel.state.gov or an immigration attorney for specific questions surrounding nonimmigrant foreign students, visas, and exchange programs.