How do I apply to MI as an International Student from India or SriLanka?

• The first step is to fill out an Request Interview Questionnaire and submit it. Click here for more information: www.indianmi.com/request_interview.html

Once I am accepted, what do I need to do to be able to enter the US and attend MI?

• You must submit all documents required by the school for admission, obtain an I-20 for your program of study, apply for and receive your visa from the US Embassy in your country, and be present on your date of registration. Your Indian MI team will assist you on this process once the Request Interview Questionnaire is completed and submitted.http://www.indianmi.com/request_interview.html

What is an I-20?

• An I-20 is a US Government document that a student needs to apply for a student visa at the US Consulate in their home country.

How do I get my I-20?

• After you apply and are accepted by Musicians Institute, you must submit the following forms to the MI International Student Office to obtain your I-20:
• Request for the Confidential Statement of Finances FA10-SU11 by emailingmessages@IndianMi.com
• Provide an official Bank Balance Statement confirming the funds shown on the Statement of Finances*
• Provide the partial tuition payment for your program located in the chart on the Statement of Finances**
• Provide a clear copy of your passport
• When the above documents have been received and accepted by MI, the I-20 will be issued and sent to you by courier service.
• *Must be accompanied by a Certified English Translation and converted to United States Dollars.
• **Swedish students receiving Financial Aid from CSN must submit the CSN final approval letter.

Can my spouse and/or child come to the USA with me?

• Yes. You must provide a copy of your marriage certificate, a copy of your spouse and/or child’s passport and proof of additional living expenses for your spouse and/or child. Dependents will receive an F-2 visa.

Is a TOEFL score required to attend MI?

• A TOEFL score is only required for the Bachelor Degree program. The minimum score for acceptance is 500 (Standard), 173 (Computerized), or 61(Internet-Based Test/IBT).

How long will my I-20 be valid?

• The I-20 is valid for the length of the program. These dates can be found under section #5 of the I-20 form.

Is an I-20 a visa?

• No. The I-20 is the document produced by the school that tells the US Embassy that you are approved to study in the United States. It also tells the Embassy how long you will be studying so that they can create the visa length to match the I-20. In many cases, the visa will be issued for much longer than the I-20.

When can I get my visa?

• Students may apply for a visa no earlier than 120 days before the program start date on their I-20. In addition, a student may enter the United States no earlier than 30 days before the program start date on their I-20. This date can be found under section #5 of the I-20 form.

How do I get my visa?

• A student who has already received his/her I-20 will be required to pay the $200 SEVIS I-901 fee online at(https://www.fmjfee.com/index.jhtml).After making the payment online, print the receipt and take it along with your I-20 and passport to your meeting with the US Embassy/Consulate. Follow the instructions given by the Embassy/Consulate to obtain your visa. Be prepared to pay additional visa application fees (please check with your local US Consulate for amounts as they vary depending on the country).

How long does it take to get my visa?

• The time it takes for the US Embassy/Consulate to create your visa will vary depending on the country and on how busy they are at the time. We suggest calling the Embassy/Consulate in your country to see how long it will take to process your visa.

Can I study at MI on a B-1/B-2 tourist visa?

• No. United States immigration regulations state that B1/B-2 visa holders may not study at all.
• IMPORTANT! – be sure that your visa type matches your I-20 type. If they do not match, contact the US Embassy/Consulate to fix the problem. A visa that does not match your I-20 could limit or prevent your options for future study.

Current Students

Am I allowed to study part time?

• No. All international students must maintain full-time status. Only if you are in your last session and need just a few credits to graduate will you be allowed to enroll less than full time. There are a few exceptions such as a medical reasons or language problems, but check with your International Student Advisor for details. All requests for part-time study must be approved by the Registrar’s office and the International Student Office.

Can I travel during the school breaks?

• Yes. If you plan to travel outside the United States, please come to the International Student Office and we will check your I-20 form & passport before you leave to be sure that there will be no problems when you re-enter the US.

Can I work while I’m in school?

• Students with F-1 visas are allowed to work on campus on a part-time basis. M-1 students are not allowed to work at all. International students are not allowed to work off-campus while studying without a work permit.

My visa has expired but my I-20 is still valid. What do I do?

• If your I-20 is valid and your visa expires you are legally allowed to continue your studies in the United States until the official end date of your I-20, BUT you should not leave the country. If you need to leave the US you will have to return to the Embassy/Consulate in your country to renew your Visa in order to be able to reenter and continue your studies.

Can I apply for an Optional Practical Training (OPT) Work Permit?

• OPT is available for F-1 students who are enrolled in either an Associate Degree or Bachelor Degree program. To be eligible for OPT, you must successfully complete and graduate from the degree program in which you are enrolled and must attend the last academic year (nine months/three quarters) continuously. If you are interested in applying for OPT, please come to the International Student Office at the beginning of your final quarter at MI and we will assist you with the process. For more information about employment, go to the ‘Visas’ page.

Useful links

• http://www.ice.gov/sevis/students/
• http://www.ice.gov/sevis/factsheet/100104ent_stdnt_fs.htm
• http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1268.html