International Student Visa

International students must first be accepted at ICON before obtaining the F-1 Visa. You will also need a Form I-20 from ICON before applying for an F-1 Student Visa. Contact our Admissions Department for full details about the U.S. student visa application process. There is an additional fee of $100 to cover the cost of mailing the I-20 to you. This fee is refundable if you are not accepted into the program.

You must first submit all the documents required by the school for admission. Second, get a Form I-20 from the school (via mail in your home country). Third, apply and receive your visa from the U.S. Embassy in your country. Finally, you must be present for your registration and the date of your orientation. Check with our Admissions Department if you need to conduct these meetings online.

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

No. But, you will need a passing score on ICON’s English Proficiency Exam if you are not from one of the countries listed below. You can also meet this requirement if you attended any of the following:

• High school in the USA
• Have a diploma from a secondary school in a system which English is the official language of instruction
• Completed one or more years of postsecondary education at an English-speaking institution
• Provided an official transcript in English

Exempt Countries: Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Botswana, Canada, Denmark, Fiji, Finland, Ghana, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Nigeria, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Papua, New Guinea, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, St. Lucia, Sweden, Tonga, Trinidad, Tobago, United Kingdom, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

ICON will mail a Form I-20. Complete the form and pay the $350 SEVIS I-901 fee online. Bring the payment receipt, completed Form I-20, and your passport to the meeting with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Follow the instructions given by the Embassy or Consulate to obtain your visa. You may also have to pay visa application fees. Please check with your local U.S. Consulate for amounts as they vary depending on the country.

The time it takes for the U.S. Embassy or 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 or Consulate in your country to see how long it will take to process your visa.

No. United States immigration regulations state that tourist visa holders may not take a full-time course of study.

No. All international students must maintain full-time status. You can request part-time enrollment if you are in your last session and need a few credits to graduate. There are a few exceptions, such as medical reasons or language problems. Check with ICON’s Registrar for details. The Registrar’s Office will also need to approve all requests for part-time study.

ICON does not provide housing for students. But, our housing assistance can help connect you with students and graduates looking for roommates or housing.

To be eligible for OPT, you must complete and graduate from the enrolled programs. You must also attend ICON for a minimum of one academic year (nine months/three quarters). You will not be eligible if you have done OPT previously. Apply for an OPT with the Registrar’s Office at the beginning of your final quarter at ICON. They will assist you with the process.

All our on-campus Los Angeles programs qualify. The Online Music Production Program and

Intro Course are not eligible. For more information please contact our admissions department.