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

I-20 / DS-2019

Official form or feeF-1I-20

Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status)

The Form I-20 is the document an SEVP-certified U.S. school gives an admitted international student so they can apply for an F-1 student visa. It is issued by the scho...

Checked 2026-10-10

Official form or feeJ-1DS-2019

Form DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status, J-1)

The DS-2019 is the J-1 equivalent of the I-20. A U.S. Department of State–designated exchange sponsor creates it in SEVIS and its Responsible Officer signs it; the stu...