Get a student visa to study design and live in New York

All Shillington New York classes have returned to in-person as of September 2021. Shillington is continuing to assess the current situation regarding COVID-19 and our ability to continue to be in-person is dependent upon numerous factors including; travel restrictions, changing government guidelines, lockdowns and availability of vaccines.

As long as the above factors allow for in-person teaching, the school has safety requirements in place to make the classroom environment as safe as possible for staff and students. These requirements apply to all September 2021 courses and all current students transitioning to in-person study. To stay current on the latest updates, check Shillington’s COVID response page.

International Travel: If you are traveling internationally to study at the New York campus, it is your responsibility to review the travel restrictions and honor the international travel protocols.

International students enrolling in our 3 month full-time course can apply for the M-1 Visa. This is a non-immigration student visa which allows our international students to study and live full-time in the US. The visa is active for the duration of the course plus the 30-day grace period before and after the course—5 months in total.

No. As a Canadian citizen, you will need to apply for the M-1 Visa status, but you do not need to acquire the M-1 visa.

Shillington M-1 visa holders are not eligible for OPT training / internship opportunities. If you take a look at this OPT resource, M-1 students are eligible for one month of post-completion practical training for every four months of full-time study, up to a maximum of six months of practical training. Since our full-time course is only 3-month, we cannot offer the post-completion option.

Shillington is authorized to enroll foreign students under M-1 visa classification. We issue I-20 certificate of eligibility forms for successful applicants, provided all required documents and relevant evidence have been shared with Shillington and these documents meet all the legal requirements for enrollment in our program of study.

Enroll online, and tick the M-1 Visa category. We’ll be in touch with further details and an extra application form. You’ll need to send us all required documentation and the $1,000 deposit. Then we can issue I-20 certificate forms to successful applicants.

Once application and documentation has been received:

• Shillington determines if you have fully met the admission requirements.
• Shillington will then issue a signed Form I-20.
• Please carefully review your Form I-20 after receipt and inform Shillington immediately if there are any mistakes.
• The signed, original Form I-20 will enable you to book an appointment at your nearest US consulate or embassy for a visa interview. For more information visit U.S. Visas (Bureau of Consular Affairs).
• You are then required to pay the visa application fee and the SEVIS fee. For more information visit U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
• You then apply to your local U.S. consulate or embassy for a visa interview. See visa interview details below or for more information visit U.S. Visas (Bureau of Consular Affairs).
• Your M-1 Visa will be added into your passport, if the US Embassy interview is successful.
• Pay the tuition fees in full a minimum of 30 days prior to the start of the course (USD$12,950 including deposit).
• You can then enter into the U.S. no more than 30 days prior to your program start date on your Form I-20. Your entry into the U.S is at the discretion of the U.S. Immigration customs and border protection inspectors at the port of entry.
• Report into the Shillington New York campus and register as soon as possible.
• Start the full-time graphic design course and register with Shillington’s head office.

Please be aware:

• The success on obtaining a visa, your interview at the US consulate and your entry at the US border are primarily your responsibility.
• Having a signed Form I-20 does not guarantee you issuance of an M-1 Visa by a U.S. Consular post.
• Having the M-1 Visa does not guarantee admission into the United States. Issuance of the visa stamp or admission into the United States is at the discretion of the us embassy and/or the U.S. Immigration customs and border protection inspectors at the port of entry.

For more information visit this U.S Government Site.

1. Scan of info page of passport
2. You must have a minimum of USD $24K for tuition and living expenses and provide proof of this financial responsibility. This can be recent bank statements showing a balance in U.S. dollars within 3 months. If you are receiving free room and board in the U.S. you must submit a letter of proof.If your family members will be supporting you, they can use a USCIS Form I-134 to indicate that they not only have the income and assets you’ve shown, but they are willing to spend them on your studies and living expenses.
3. Provide proof of academic qualifications. There is a minimum requirement of a high school diploma or equivalent.

You must take the following to your visa interview:

1. Your signed Form I-20 issued by Shillington
2. A completed application Form DS-160. Some applicants may also be required to complete and sign Form DS-157. Children need a separate form, even if they are included in a parent’s passport. For more information visit U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement.
3. A passport valid for at least 6 months after the proposed date of entry into the U.S.
4. One (1) 2″x2″ photograph
5. A fee receipt to show payment of the visa application fee
6. A visa issuance fee if applicable. Please visit U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement—Student Process for more information.
7. A separate SEVIS I-901 fee receipt
8. Transcripts and diplomas from previous institutions attended
9. Financial evidence showing that you have sufficient funds to cover tuition and living expenses during the period of intended study. Shillington suggests minimum of $23k for tuition and living expenses for the full-time course.
10. Applicants with dependents must also provide proof of relationship to their spouse and/or children (e.g marriage and birth certificate).

Before traveling to the U.S. please visit U.S. Customs & Border Protection. It explains the purpose of the Form I-94 and briefly describes the arrival inspection process.

You are allowed to enter the U.S no more than 30 days before the start of your course, the entire full-time course duration, and then you have up to a maximum of 30 days after the course finishes to leave the country.

We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Providing Shillington with the required documentation straight away will help speed up the process.  You do have to take into consideration that the original, signed I-20 must be mailed to you (priority delivery additional cost) as you need to take this I-20 to a U.S Embassy appointment.

Consular appointment availability and visa processing turnaround times are location specific and Shillington cannot forsee nor control these timings nor the outcome of your application.

If you cannot arrive in time for the start of the program you must contact us before your program start date and get a reprinted Form I-20 for a deferred program start date.