Pre Departure Bulletin

Congratulations and welcome to the AAE community! Studying in the United States is an exciting and rewarding experience. This bulletin outlines everything you need to do before you leave home and after you arrive. Please read it carefully and contact us at any time with questions.



PART 1: BEFORE YOU DEPART

Step 1 — Form I-20 and SEVIS Fee

After you receive your Acceptance Letter and Form I-20, complete the following steps before your visa interview:

1. Review your Form I-20 carefully. Sign and date it. Contact AAE immediately if any information is incorrect or needs to be updated.
2. Pay the SEVIS Fee of $350 at www.fmjfee.com. You will need information from your Form I-20 to complete this payment. Save and print your payment confirmation for your records.
3. Complete the Online Visa Application (Form DS-160) at ceac.state.gov/genniv. Use the exact information from your Form I-20. Print and keep only the DS-160 barcode confirmation page — you do not need to print the entire application.
4. Schedule your visa interview at your local U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The Embassy does not schedule this for you. Visit www.usembassy.gov for country-specific instructions. Check current wait times at travel.state.gov → Visa Wait Times. Apply early — processing times vary significantly by country.
5. Pay the $185 Visa Application Fee *(non-refundable). This is typically required before your interview. Check your Embassy’s website for local instructions.
6. Attend your visa interview. The F-1 visa interview is typically conducted in English and lasts about 2–3 minutes. Remain calm and answer all questions openly and honestly.
7. After receiving your visa, verify that your name and date of birth exactly match your Form I-20, and confirm the visa type is F-1.

 * Prices subject to change

  Tips for Your Visa Interview

The consular officer wants to understand three things:

• Why you want to study in the United States
• How you will financially support yourself during your studies
• Your plans after completing your program (i.e., that you intend to return home)

Strong ties to your home country, such as property, employment, family, or financial assets, help demonstrate that you intend to return home after your studies and are not seeking to immigrate.

Helpful resources:

• Student Visa Overview: travel.state.gov → Student Visa
• Applying for Your Student Visa: educationusa.state.gov → Apply for Your Visa

Changing Your Program Start Date

If you need to arrive after your program start date, or if you would like to start earlier, you can request a change before you depart. Contact AAE with your new preferred start date and we will issue an updated Form I-20.



PART 2: ARRIVING IN THE UNITED STATES

U.S. Port of Entry: What to Expect

A valid F-1 visa allows you to travel to a U.S. port of entry and request permission to enter. Note that a visa does not guarantee admission, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers have the authority to permit or deny entry.

When you land, go directly to the U.S. Border Protection inspection area. Have the following documents ready to present to the CBP officer:

• Valid passport
• F-1 visa (in your passport)
• Signed Form I-20
• U.S. Customs Declaration Form (paper form distributed on some flights, or completed electronically via CBP One app or APC kiosk at the airport)
• Financial support documents (bank statements, sponsor letters), if requested

After clearing CBP, collect your checked baggage at baggage claim, then proceed through U.S. Customs to submit your Declaration Form. If asked, present your bags for inspection. Do not carry any luggage other than your own.

Ground Transportation from Bay Area Airports

 

Reporting to AAE After Arrival

Federal regulations require all F-1 students to report to their school on or before the program start date. Registration is currently conducted remotely (online). After you arrive in the U.S., follow these steps:

1. Email AAE to notify us of your arrival: admissions@aae.edu
2. We will send you a link and instructions for online registration.
3. Complete online registration on your assigned registration day. During registration, you will:
4. Participate in New Student Orientation
5. Take a placement exam
6. Receive your course syllabus
7. Review and sign enrollment documents
8. Pay tuition
9. Begin classes on your program start date.

PART 3: MAINTAINING YOUR F-1 STATUS

As an F-1 student, you must actively maintain your nonimmigrant student status throughout your program. Your primary purpose in the U.S. is to study, and any activity that goes against this purpose is a violation of your status. You must follow all F-1 rules and regulations, attend classes regularly, and make normal academic progress toward completing your program.

Required Actions

• Attend all classes and maintain satisfactory academic progress.
• Enroll in a full course of study each term (at least 18 hours per week of in-person classes).
• Register on time and report to school at the start of each session.
• Notify AAE of any change of address within 10 days of moving.
• Do not engage in unauthorized employment.
• Comply with all U.S. federal, state, and local laws.

For detailed guidance on maintaining your status, visit:

studyinthestates.dhs.gov → Maintaining Status

PART 4: MEDICAL INSURANCE

Medical care in the United States is very expensive. A single visit to an emergency room can cost thousands of dollars without insurance. You are strongly encouraged to obtain international health insurance before you depart.

  Estimated cost: from approximately $60/month

Prices vary by provider and coverage level. The following insurers offer plans designed for international students:

1. www.betins.com
2. www.compassbenefit.com
3. www.internationalstudentinsurance.com

  Questions? We are here to help. Contact us at info@aae.edu or (415) 567-0189.

American Academy of English • 530 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102 • www.aae.edu