Admissions FAQ.

Often, yes. If you're in the U.S. in a valid nonimmigrant status (for example B-2, H-4, or L-2), you can usually apply for a change of status to F-1 by filing Form I-539 with USCIS — without leaving the country. You'll first need an acceptance and a change-of-status I-20 from us. The alternative is to leave, get an F-1 visa at a U.S. consulate, and re-enter — which is often faster. We'll help you weigh which fits your timeline.

Yes, but it's closely scrutinized. Please consult an immigration attorney or contact our admissions team for more information specific to your case. And critically: do not begin classes while on B-1/B-2 status — studying before your F-1 is approved is a status violation.

No. You must wait until USCIS approves your change of status before you enroll or begin any course of study. Starting early is a status violation that can get your application denied. If your approval hasn't come through in time, we'll defer your start date to the next session.

Standard processing often takes several months and varies by USCIS service center, so start early — ideally up to a year ahead. Premium processing (Form I-907) is now available for F students and gives a decision in 30 business days for an extra fee. If USCIS hasn't decided at least 15 days before the start date on your I-20, contact our DSO — we can defer your start date to a later term, and you begin once approved.

Don't travel internationally while your change of status is pending — leaving the U.S. normally causes USCIS to treat the application as abandoned. And you may not work — including on-campus jobs — until you're actually in F-1 status (and never more than 30 days before your program start date). File before your current I-94 expires and keep your current status valid while you wait.

Both work. Change of status lets you stay in the U.S., but it can take months and comes with restrictions (no travel, you must wait to enroll, and approval isn't guaranteed). Consular processing — leaving, getting an F-1 visa, and re-entering — is often faster and gives you a visa stamp for future travel, but it requires international travel and a successful interview. Either way, you can enter the U.S. as an F-1 student no more than 30 days before your program start date.

Yes. Some categories can't use Form I-539 to change to F-1 and must instead get an F-1 visa abroad — including C (transit), D (crew), K-1/K-2, S, Visa Waiver Program entrants (WT/WB), M-1 vocational students, and J-1 exchange visitors still subject to the two-year home-residency requirement. If this is you, plan for consular processing and talk to an attorney.

Your completed application, your passport biographical page, transcripts or diplomas, and financial documentation showing you can support your studies (bank statements, a sponsor letter, or an affidavit of support). For a change of status, you'll also need your I-94, your change-of-status I-20, and your I-901 SEVIS fee receipt.

Tuition for the Intensive English Language Program is $6,000 a year — payable in full, as four session payments of $1,500, or twelve monthly payments of $500. Government fees are separate: the SEVIS I-901 fee and (for a change of status) the USCIS filing fee. Always confirm current government fees on the USCIS website before you file.

We run four 11-week sessions a year with rolling admissions, so most students start at the beginning of the next session — your placement test and first day can often happen the same week you visit. If you're changing status, your start date depends on when USCIS approves; we'll line it up with the right session.

Yes. Our admissions director and our DSO issue your I-20 and help coordinate timing, SEVIS, and deferrals. Email market@highexpectationsusa.com and we'll walk you through it. We can guide you on the process, but school staff can't give legal advice — for a status gap, a prior visa issue, or a denied case, we'll point you to a licensed immigration attorney.

F-1 students at an English language school cannot work off campus. Limited on-campus employment may be available only if the position directly provides services to students.

On-campus employment requirements:
• You may work up to 20 hours per week while classes are in session.
• You may work full-time during official school breaks and vacations.
• The employment must be located on the school’s premises.
• You must receive authorization from the DSO before beginning employment.