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F-1 Visas & Insurance | Classes & Curriculum | Vacation & Holidays
Employment | Driver’s License | Social Security Number | Travel 
F-1 Visas & Insurance
What is an F-1 Visa?
This visa is the most common for those who wish to engage in academic studies in the United States. It is for people who want to study at an accredited U.S. college or university or to study English at a university or intensive English language institute.
F-1 Visas are issued by a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in or near your country. In most countries, first time student visa applicants are required to appear for an in-person interview. However, each embassy and consulate sets its own interview policies and procedures regarding student visas. Students should consult Embassy web sites or call for specific application instructions.
What is an I-20 Form?
Any person who wants an F-1 Visa must first obtain an I-20 from the school that they wish to attend. CGL issues I-20s to individuals seeking to study for a period of 10 weeks or more in our program and who submit their application, required paperwork, and payment on a timely basis.
Once we issue the I-20, you can choose to either have a family member pick it up at the campus or you may use your credit card to pay for Federal Express International to mail it to your home. If you are a Change of Status or Transfer student, you may come to the campus directly to pick up the form.
Can I get an I-20 for more than 10 weeks?
Yes, while 10-weeks is the minimum length of stay, you may apply for a longer period of time depending on the number of courses in your level. If you start with 10 weeks, you can always extend your stay by submitting a Program Extension Form at the end of the initial 10-week period. The length of the extension request will be reviewed by the Designated School Official (DSO). If you would like your I-20 to be for more than 10 weeks, you must pay for the balance of your entire program. If you decide to transfer out or end early, you will not receive a reimbursement.
According to US CIS regulations, once you receive the I-20, it is your responsibility to have your DSO endorse it annually to certify that you are in status and fulfilling your obligations as a student. However, we strongly recommend that you have it endorsed every 6 months if you are planning to travel outside the US.
How long after the embassy visit will I know if my visa has been granted?
The officer at the embassy or consulate will let you know while you are meeting with her/him if your visa will be granted. Depending on your home country, it may take from a few days to a few weeks for the visa to be processed and sent to your home. Contact your consular office where you intend to apply to inquire about specific local procedures.
How do I prepare for my visa interview?
You will have a higher chance of obtaining a visa if your documents are original and in order. If you cannot prove that you have sufficient financial support and ties to your home country, your visa may be denied. Below are additional tips for your reference:
- Listen carefully to the questions that the official asks you.
- You must answer all questions asked.
- Prepare reasons why you want to study English in the United States and how this will benefit you when you return.
- Show that you know about the College or University you have applied to.
- Do not say that you want to go to the U.S. because your friends or family are there.
- You will be refused a visa if the official thinks you intend to stay in the United States. If denied, you can re-apply, but you must provide additional evidence of your ties to your home country.
Can I submit a print out of my online bank statement or a copy of my bank statement with the Declaration of Finances Form?
Federal law requires that documentation of financial support be submitted in the form of an official award letter, bank letterhead stationary, original bank statement, or legally binding affidavit. You will need to submit this information at your embassy appointment as well.
I will be living with a family member while studying at CGL. Do I have to account for the housing and living costs on the Declaration of Finances Form?
If you are living with a family member, housing costs will not apply. However, living costs will apply. Please be sure that your bank statement or bank letter totals show at least $4000.
When do I pay the SEVIS fee?
You pay after you have received the I-20.
What is the I-94?
The I-94 is the departure portion of the form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record) you fill out before your arrival to the U.S. At your port of entry into the U.S. the Immigration Officer will write your U.S. admission number on your I-94, along with a stamp indicating your place of entry, the date of expiration and your status as an F-1 student.
Where can I purchase insurance?
You must maintain insurance coverage during the entire period of study at Valencia. Valencia does not recommend a specific provider. However, if desired, you may choose to obtain coverage through one of the following providers:
When should I submit proof of insurance?
Please submit the Insurance Compliance Form during your appointment with the Designated School Official after you arrive.
Classes & Curriculum
After I complete one course at my language level, do I move up to the next level?
No. There are several courses at each level that you must complete before moving up to the next level. You can download the Student Learning Plan for more details.
What is the grading and attendance policy?
As an F-1 student you are required to study a total of 18 hours per week (16 hours class time and 2 hours lab/activity time). In order to remain in-status, you must attend at least 80% of the course and achieve a minimum score of 70% on participation and tests.
Annual Vacation & Holidays
Will there be any holidays during my program?
Please visit our Registration Dates & Holidays page for holidays that may affect your class schedule.
What happens if a holiday falls on a weekday?
Classes will be held that Friday from 8:30am-12:30pm to make up the time.
Can I take a vacation during my course?
Please take advantage of the many national and IEP holiday breaks we have scheduled to travel.
However, F-1 immigration regulations state that you are eligible for an annual vacation if you have studied at a school for the equivalent of one academic year. This means if you have studied with CGL for at least 10 months and have remained in-status, you are eligible for an annual vacation of 10 weeks.
Employment
General
Students who maintain F-1 status are allowed to work on campus up to 20 hours per week and full-time during vacation periods. However, we do not have any openings for student workers at the Center for Global Languages. You may speak with one of the International Advisors at one of the other Valencia Community College campuses to see if they can assist you with any possible job openings. In general, after having maintained F-1 status for one academic year, students can apply for authorization for off-campus employment. Please keep in mind that all employment is subject to certain restrictions and that your primary purpose in the United States is to pursue a degree rather than work.
Incoming students should not count on employment as a means for supporting your studies, since opportunities are limited. Also keep in mind that before beginning any off-campus employment, you must first obtain authorization from OIPS and/or INS. Unauthorized employment is illegal and is considered to be a severe violation of your F-1 status.
Part-time job openings are usually posted on the Human Resources website. It is also a good idea to call offices which might hire students and ask for openings. The office of Student Development may also be able to provide a listing of departments that have job openings for students.
F-1 Off-Campus Employment
A general requirement for any off-campus employment is that F-1 students must have been in full-time student status for at least nine months to be eligible. Keep in mind that obtaining authorization for OPT from INS may take about eight or ten weeks (sometimes the processing times are faster, sometimes slower), so you need to make plans far in advance. You may not begin work until you have received the employment authorization.
There are different categories of F-1 employment authorizations available for F-1 students studying English. You will need to apply for authorization from INS Form I-765, and there is an application fee. Please visit the INS website.
Driver’s License
Where and how do I get a Driver’s License?
The best place to find out detailed information on where and how to get a driver’s license is directly from the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) web page. Check the Driver’s License Office Directory for addresses, telephone numbers, days and operating hours of nearby offices.
According to the Orlando INS office as well as the Winter Park Driver's License location, all applicants should take the following with them:
- A valid passport
- I-94 Departure Record (indicating F-1 D/S)
- Current I-20 with a notation by the International Student Advisor that the student is maintaining both immigration and academic status
The State of Florida is now only issuing the license for the duration of your status shown on your I-20, but not for more than six years.
Social Security Number
How do I get to the Social Security office in Orlando?
- Please visit the Social Security Orlando Office Web Site or see your DSO for more information.
Do I have to pay taxes?
The U.S government agency that deals with taxes is the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). According to the IRS, all international students are required to file INS form 8843. You can view and print out these instructions from the IRS web site under the Forms & Publications link, by choosing the correct form number from the list provided.
Travel
To travel outside the U.S., you need:
A valid, endorsed I-20 form, signed by the DSO. This signature notifies DHS that you are a full-time enrolled student at CGL. You must also have in your possession:
- A valid passport (at least six months into the future)
- A valid visa. You need this to return to the U.S.
- A valid I-94. You will surrender your I-94 card to the border officials when leaving the U.S.
- It is advisable to take evidence of financial support, which could include a bank statement or scholarship letter from sponsor.
- The requirement that a valid U.S. visa be stamped into your passport for your return to the U.S. is waived for a visit of fewer than 30 days to Canada as long as you are in possession of a valid I-94 form. The immigration officials will look at your I-94 card when you enter Canada and when you enter the U.S., but they should not take it from you.
