Admission FAQ


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I’ve submitted the online application and paid the $100 non-refundable application fee. What’s next?

 

  1. Wait for an email from the iGateways Admissions Office. You will receive an email from iGateways with a link and a PIN to the Admission Tracking Site (ATS). The ATS will be the best place to log on and check the status of your application.
  2. Fax, email, or mail a copy of the biographic page of your passport. (Our office does not require that original documents be sent; Faxes or scanned documents are fine)
  3. Send a copy of a bank statement that shows proof of funds for the first year of study. If you have a sponsor, we need a copy of his or her bank statement showing proof of funds.
  4. Complete the financial statement form, or have the person sponsoring you complete the form. Send this form to us by fax, email attachment, or mail.
  5. Wait for an email from the iGateways Admissions Office. After iGateways processes your required documents, you will receive a tuition payment email with detailed payment instructions and an individual “payment ID.” Follow the instructions to make the full tuition payment.

 

 

 

What is the Admission Tracking Site? How do I get access?

The Admission Tracking Site (ATS) is a web site that is linked with our records. When you submit your application, you will be sent an email that gives you a User ID number (a nine digit number that begins with 809) and a PIN number (a four digit number that is your password). You can access this site to see what documents we have received and what we need you to send. Whenever we receive documents or payments from you, we update the site, so it is much easier to look online than to call or email iGateways.

What is an I-20?

An I-20 is an official government document that certifies the student is eligible to be an F-1 non-immigrant at iGateways. We create an I-20 when a student pays the application fees and tuition and submits all the necessary documents. We then send it to you so that you can apply for an F-1 visa in your own country. You will need to sign the bottom. You can ONLY use the I-20 issued by iGateways to enter the United States if you intend to study with us.

How long does it take to get an I-20?

Once your file is complete and we have received all documents, we will then send you a tuition payment email. After we have received payment, it can take our office anywhere from 3-5 days to issue an I-20. The I-20 will then be mailed to you. You can choose either regular mail, which can take up to 2 weeks; or you may select the Express Mail service.

How long does Express Mail take?

Express Mail to major cities usually takes 2-3 business days. However, delivery to some cities may take 3-4 business days.

How much do I have to pay for Express Mail?

Please read the Express Mail information.

When do I pay for Express Mail?

You will pay when you get here. Do not mail or wire transfer money for Express Mail to our office. If you request a tuition refund at a later date, we will deduct the Express Mail cost from your tuition payment.

Do I need an F-1 Visa to study at iGateways?

Not necessarily. If you are in the US already with a different type of visa, you may not need an F-1 visa. Please contact us if you think that you don’t need an F-1 visa.

How do I get an F-1 Visa?
  • Apply to iGateways and provide all documents and fees. We will then issue your I-20 and mail it to you.
  • For the visa process, you will need to make an appointment at the US embassy/consulate in your country. Please see the Visa Hints page for information on the visa process.
What do I need for the F-1 visa interview?

Please see the Visa Hints page for information on the visa process.

I’m studying in the U.S. at another school. How do I transfer to iGateways?
  1. Submit iGateway’s online application. Indicate that you have an I-20 and put the SEVIS ID number in the box.
  2. Pay the $100 application fee.
  3. Submit all documents
    • Complete the financial statement form, or have the person sponsoring you complete the form. Send this form to us by fax, email attachment, or mail.
    • Send a copy of a bank statement that shows funds for the first year of your study. If you have a sponsor, we need a copy of his or her bank statement showing proof of funds.
    • Fax, email, or mail a copy of the biographic page of your passport.
    • Pay the full tuition for your session.
  4. Send a copy of your current I-20 (and all previous I-20's) and I-94 to our office.
  5. Print out a copy of our transfer form. Fill out the top section and give the form to your current school to complete the rest. They will send the completed form to us, and release your SEVIS record to our school.
  6. We will then issue your transfer I-20.
  7. You will be given an appointment to come to the office and pick up your transfer I-20.
  8. You will need to either show proof of acceptable health insurance or purchase the insurance that we offer in our office. Our health insurance requirements can be found here.
I don’t have the minimum funds required for one year. Can I use a sponsor's funds?

Yes. Your sponsor, or the person financially responsible, needs to fill out and sign the financial support form and submit it with proof of funds. The proof of funds must be in English and should not be older than 6 months from the start date of school.

Do I have to provide proof of funds for one year even though I will stay in the U.S. less than one year?

Yes. U.S. Homeland Security requires schools to collect proof of funds for the first year even if the student is not planning to study for a full year.  Please keep in mind that the amount on the bank statement/financial statement will be listed on the I-20, and that you will need to take the bank statement with you to your F-1 visa interview.

Where can I apply for an F-1 visa?

The recent U.S. government law requires all F-1 students and their dependents to apply for an F-1 visa in their country of citizenship or permanent residency. 

When can I apply for an F-1 visa and when can I enter the U.S.?

The recent U.S. Immigration law authorizes an F-1 visa student and their F-2 dependents to apply for an F-1 visa only 90 days prior to the start date of school and not earlier. Also, the same law permits F-1 students and their dependents to enter the U.S. NOT EARLIER than 30 days prior to the start date of school.

What do I do when I receive my I-20?

You must make an appointment with the U.S. Embassy in your country of residence and take your I-20, passport, and proof of financial support to apply for an F-1 visa. December, January, July and August are very busy months for the U.S. Embassies worldwide. Please make an appointment in advance. It is important to note that schools in the U.S. cannot guarantee that the U.S. Embassy will issue an F-1 visa for the purpose of study in the U.S.

$200 (non-refundable) SEVIS FEE

The recent U.S. immigration policy requires all F-1 applicants to pay the $200 SEVIS fee. You must ask the U.S. Embassy how to pay this fee to them. Our office is unable to pay this fee on behalf of the students. You will need a SEVIS ID number and school code in order to pay this fee. Once we issue an I-20, your SEVIS ID number will automatically appear on the Admission Tracking Site.

What if my visa gets denied?

If your F-1 visa is denied, please inform us in writing immediately. You will then be required to send us the original I-20. Once we receive the I-20, we can begin the full tuition refund process. Please note that for refunds there is a 15% financial processing fee (FPF), however this FPF is waived for students who are denied an F-1 visa. Please see our Tuition Refund Policy for more specific information.

Is it possible to defer my SEVIS record to a future term?

After submitting your written request for a tuition refund for the term you will not attend, you have the option of requesting the deferment of your SEVIS record to a future term   Please follow these instructions carefully:

  1. You are required to submit an online application for a new term within 30 days of the reporting date listed on your SEVIS I-20 or DS 2019 and pay the $100 non-refundable application fee prior to cancellation of the SEVIS record.
  2. To process your new application, we will need current proof of funds, a completed Financial Statement form and full tuition for the new term.

Important policies you must know

  • No tuition roll-overs (transfers of tuition funds to a future term) are allowed at any time for any term.
  • The application fee is non-refundable and cannot be rolled over to other people or other terms.

 

I don’t need an F-1 visa. How do I apply to iGateways?
  1. Submit the iGateways online application.
  2. Pay the $100 application fee.
  3. Submit a copy of the biographic page of your passport and a copy of I-94.
  4. We will then send you the tuition payment email.

 

I want my spouse/child (under 21) to come with me. Is it possible?

New students must complete the dependent information which is part of their iGateways online application.

Continuing Students (continuing students are those who are currently attending our school) must fax (408-924-2669) the following information to our office:

  1. Student's first and middle name
  2. Last name of each dependent
  3. First and middle name of each dependent
  4. Date of birth MM/DD/YYYY
  5. Gender
  6. Relationship to the student (child/spouse)
  7. Country of birth of dependent
  8. Country of citizenship of dependent

Dependent Documents:

All new and continuing students must fax the following documents in order for us to issue a dependent I-20:

  1. Copy of biographic page of passport for EACH dependent
  2. Additional proof of funds of at least $14,000 for EACH dependent
  3. Completed and signed Financial Statement Form

 

What is an I-94?

The I-94 card is the form that you complete when you arrive in the US. You will need to write your full passport name and country on this card. At the port-of-entry, the officer will stamp the card with your date of arrival to the US, your port-of-entry, your visa status and how long you are permitted to remain in the US. It also has your admission number, which is your tracking number with U.S. Immigration. This form is usually stapled to your passport; it is very important that you do not lose it as you will need it when you leave the U.S. We will photocopy it for your file when you arrive in our office.

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International University Studies

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Study in American Language

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 International University Studies bridges language study and university courses. Enroll in SJSU courses along with English support workshops or prepare for an MBA program.

You'll need strong English skills to take full advantage of these great international experiences at SJSU.

Studies in American Language puts you in the right place to improve your English language skills quickly and easily. You'll be in small classes of international students while interacting with the campus and community to learn more about the culture.

Choose the program that meets your needs.

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Phone: +1-408-924-2660 | Fax: + 1-408-924-2669