The ELI welcomes students from all over the world. While most of our students are F-1, we also have students that are F-2, J-1, B1/2, R-1, Permanent Residents, and even U.S. Citizens. However, the type of visa an applicant has determines if they can study full-time or part-time. See the chart below:
F-1 | Student Visa | Full-time study REQUIRED |
F-2 | Dependent of F-1 | Part-time study only – up to 16 hours/week |
J-1 | Exchange Visitor / Au Pair | Part-time study only – up to 14 hours/week |
J-2 | Dependent of J-1 | Full-time or Part-time allowed |
B1/2 | Tourist / Visa Waiver | Part-time study only – up to 12 hours/week |
H-1 | Work Visa | Part-time study only – up to 12 hours/week |
H-4 | Dependent of H-1 | Full-time or Part-time allowed |
R-1 | Religious Visitor | Full-time or Part-time allowed |
K-1 | Fiancee Visa | Full-time or Part-time allowed |
Permanent Resident, US Citizen | Full-time or Part-time allowed |
The ELI administrative team is here to help you navigate the process of applying for a student visa. We also help students who have questions about transferring in/out of the program, I-20 extensions, and change of status requests. This page provides some basic information as well as links to websites where detailed guidance can be found.
Once you have completed your application to the ELI, you will receive two very important documents from us: Your acceptance letter, and your SEVIS I-20 document (“Certificate of Eligibility for Non-Immigrant Student Status – For Academic and Language Students).
In order to continue with the F-1 visa application process, you need to do the following things:
The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is an internet-based system that provides tracking, monitoring and access to current information on non-immigrant students. It enables schools to issue I-20s and to transmit electronic information via the internet to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) throughout a student's stay in the United States.
Notre Dame of Maryland University is a SEVIS-approved institution. Our English Language Institute issues the SEVIS Form I-20 once a student has been accepted into the program.
Effective September 1, 2004, the Department of Homeland Security began collecting a congressionally mandated fee to cover the costs of operating the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). The current I-901 fee price is $350 USD.
Frequently Asked Questions about the I-901
Our program gives you an I-20, which is a necessary document in order to get the student visa. However, we are not involved in the visa application process at all. This is done by the applicant.
Currently, the fee for the visa application is $160 USD.
Online Application for F-1 Student Visa
The next step is to schedule an appointment for your visa interview at the US Embassy or Consulate in the country where you live. Interview appointments don’t always happen right away, and depending on your location, the wait time to get an appointment may be quite long. Try to apply for your visa as early as possible.
To review the interview wait time for your location, and for more information about the F-1 Student Visa application process, check here:
F-1 Visa Info and Wait Time Check
For the interview, you will be required to bring with you the following: