What do I need to send to apply to Mentor Language Institute in order to receive an I-20 if I am overseas?

• Application form (online or paper)
• Copy of passport
• Bank statement showing at least $14,000 in available funds (no more than 3 months old)
• US$570 ($100 non-refundable processing fee, $200 SEVIS fee, $200 tuition deposit, and $70 I-20 mailing fee).

What is the SEVIS fee?

A $200 SEVIS fee is charged by US immigration. When you apply for an F-1 visa, you need to show the SEVIS fee receipt. If you do not pay the SEVIS fee, the US embassy will not issue the F-1 visa. You can pay the SEVIS fee to US immigration directly, or you can pay the SEVIS fee to us and we will pay the SEVIS fee to US immigration instead of you, and we will send you the SEVIS fee receipt with your I-20. The SEVIS fee receipt is required when you apply for the F-1 visa and come to the U.S. The site to pay this fee is www.fmjfee.com.

How can I send my documents from overseas?

You can send the documents by mail, fax or email attachment.

How can I send payments from overseas?

You can send payments by international money order, credit card, or bank wire transfer.

How can I pay by international money order?

You can make an international money order at the post office or bank, and send it to our address.

How can I pay by credit card?

You can pay online through PayPal. After completing the online application you will have the option to select payment method. Choose CREDIT CARD and you will be directed to PayPal. You do not need a PayPal account to pay. You can use most major credit cards.

How long will it take to get my I-20 in my country?

As soon as we receive your application form, documents and payments, we will mail the I-20 and an acceptance letter to you. It takes about 2 weeks, but it varies from country to country.

What should I do after I receive my I-20?

You need to prepare the following documents and payments for the visa application and make an appointment with the US embassy to have an application interview for your F-1 visa.

• Passport
• Bank statement (should be at least $14,000)
• Transcripts and diploma from your high school and/or university
• Study plan (must state that you will return to your country when you complete your study in the USA.)
• Leave-of-absence letter (If you have a job, you can ask your company to write a letter indicating that you will return to your country when you complete your study in USA.)
• I-20
• I-901 fee confirmation (SEVIS fee receipt)
• Completed DS application form(s) (available on the website of the embassy)
• Application fee for F-1 visa
• Additional documents (Please check with US embassy in your country. It varies from country to country.)

What are the most important parts of my visa application?

You must provide the following three things to the U.S. embassy officer.

• Sufficient funds: Because the US embassy does not want you to work in the USA illegally, you or your sponsor needs to have enough money to support you while you study in the US. To prove this, you or your sponsor needs to prepare a bank statement that shows sufficient funds. It is preferable that the sponsor is in your country. The bank account should be in your country as well.
• Clear study plan and purpose: You need to explain what you want to study and why you need to study it in the US instead of in your country.
• Intent to go back to your country after studying in the USA: You need to show strong ties to the country in which you are applying for an F-1 visa and indications that you will leave the USA upon completion of your studies.

How soon can I come to the US after I get my F-1 visa?

After you receive the visa, you can enter the USA up to 30 days before the starting date on your I-20. If my application for an F-1 visa is denied, can I get a refund?

We will refund your fees as follows. The $100 processing fee is not refundable. The $200 SEVIS fee is taken by US immigration, so we cannot refund it. The $70 I-20 mailing fee is taken by FedEx, so we can't refund it either. The $200 tuition deposit is refundable. In order to refund it, we need your original I-20 back.

What do I need to send to apply for homestay?

* Housing services for Mentor Language Institute are provided by an independent company: US Student Services Inc.

• Homestay application form
• Homestay placement fee: $250

Housing services for Mentor Language Institute are provided by an independent company.

* Housing services for Mentor Language Institute are provided by an independent company: US Student Services Inc.

What do I need to send to apply for dormitory?

• Dormitory application form
• Dormitory placement fee: $200

Housing services for Mentor Language Institute are provided by an independent company.

If I cancel my housing request, can I get a refund?

$250: housing placement fee will be refunded upon cancellation two weeks before the date of arrival. Housing services for Mentor Language Institute are provided by US Student Services Inc.

How long is one term?

One term is 12 weeks. There are 4 terms per year. There is a 1 week break between each term. You can see the schedule here

What do I need to submit to transfer to Mentor Language Institute?

• Copy of passport
• Copy of F-1 visa
• Copy of I-94
• Copy of previous school I-20
• Bank statement (at least $3,250)
• Application form
• Transfer form: Please ask your current school to fill out this form before you finish your current program.Then, send this form to MLI
• $100 processing fee
• 12 week tuition fee of program
• Picture for student ID

Can I change my status to F-1 from inside the US?

It depends on your status. Some types of status can be changed, and some cannot.

Can you help me to change my status to F-1 status?

We have lawyers to help you change your status. For further information please contact us.

Can I go to college when I complete my program at Mentor Language Institute?

Mentor Language Institute has special agreements or MRPs, with many Los Angeles area schools. These agreements typically allow Mentor Language Institute students to take part-time credit classes while the student is studying at Mentor Language Institute and to transfer without a TOEFL score. After you complete Level 5 or 6 at Mentor Language Institute, you can transfer to the following colleges without a TOEFL score.