USAnaru™ — Your crossing to the right U.S. school.

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Documents, forms & rules

Every official step from admission to the F-1 or J-1 visa, explained in plain language with the official link and the date we last checked it — plus our own free templates for letters families usually have to write.

Information, not legal advice. Rules and fees change — confirm with the school’s DSO (F-1), your exchange sponsor’s Responsible Officer (J-1) or the U.S. embassy or consulate before you act.

Calendar

Test calendar 2026–27

SSAT, ISEE, TOEFL, Duolingo, IELTS, PSAT, SAT, ACT, AP and AMC — official dates, deadlines and fees, with calendar files.

Guide

Grade placement & acceleration

Which grade your child joins, school years compared with Korea, China, Vietnam and Mexico, and state rules on credits and credit by exam (incl. Texas CBE).

The F-1 process, step by step

1 Choose & apply Pick schools, take tests and send applications
2 Admitted Accept an offer and send proof of funds
- Bank letter request
- Financial support statement
3 I-20 / DS-2019 Get and sign the I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1)
- Form I-20
- Form DS-2019
4 SEVIS I-901 fee Pay the I-901 fee online: $350 F-1, $220 J-1
- SEVIS I-901 fee
5 DS-160 & visa interview Fill in the DS-160, pay $185 and attend the interview
- DS-160 application
- Visa interview & $185 fee
6 Travel Carry passport, visa, I-20 and funds; land ≤30 days early
- Travel day checklist
7 Arrival & I-94 Check your I-94 online and report to your school
- U.S. guardian letter
- Form I-94
8 Maintain status Study full time; extend or leave before your I-94 date
- Maintaining status
- Transferring schools (F-1)

All steps Choose & apply Admitted I-20 / DS-2019 SEVIS I-901 fee DS-160 & visa interview Travel Arrival & I-94 Maintain status

Arrival & I-94

TemplateF-1 · J-1

Template: letter appointing a U.S. guardian for a boarding-school student

Many U.S. boarding schools ask families of international students under 18 to name an adult in the United States who can act for the parents on holidays, school breaks...

Checked 2026-10-10

Official form or feeF-1 · J-1I-94

Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record)

The I-94 is CBP's record of when you entered the United States, in what status (F-1 or J-1) and until when you are admitted. There is no paper card any more for air ar...