ESL Students

For information on applying for an I-20, see the Apply for a Student I-20 or DS-2019 section of our website.

You must first apply for an I-20 before you are eligible to apply for an F-1 visa. For information on applying for an F-1 visa, review the Obtaining an F-1 or J-1 Visa section of our website.

International students in the ESL+ Certificate (ESL + Design, ESL + Music, ESL + Food, and ESL + University Preparation) programs attend a special orientation held by the English Language Studies department. They are therefore not required to attend the mandatory international student orientation. English Language Studies will email you information on when your orientation will be held. You can also email the office at [email protected].

You need your I-20, issued by The New School; your F-1 visa; and your passport. You must show these documents to a Customs and Border Protection officer when entering the United States. Always bring your original I-20 when traveling. Your travel signature must be valid when you enter. For more information on travel, refer to the Travel section of our website.

As an ESL student, you are required to attend 18 class hours a week, which is equivalent to four ESL courses. If you attend less than 80 percent of your classes or enroll in fewer than four courses, you will violate your F-1 status. Therefore, it is extremely important to notify ISSS before you stop attending your classes. 

You can submit a request to reduce your course load for medical reasons or if you are in your final semester. Before submitting a request, be sure to talk to your English Language Studies advisor and an international student advisor.

At the end of your current semester, you will complete the ESL Check-Out Form and Extension Request.

Yes. You will need to update your I-20. You are required to complete the ESL Check-Out Form and upload new bank documents demonstrating your ability to afford your new degree program.

No. Open Campus courses are not I-20 eligible. You must be enrolled in ESL courses to maintain your English Language I-20 or change your I-20 to reflect your degree program.

No. English Language Studies students are not permitted to work off campus. Unlike degree students, they are not eligible for work authorization through Practical Training.

Yes; you can work on campus. Please review our F-1 Student Employment section for information on on-campus employment. 

Your I-20 and SEVIS record will be terminated. Talk to an ELS advisor and an international student advisor before completing a Leave of Absence request.

Since you have been gone for more than one semester, you are required to apply for a new SEVIS record and pay the SEVIS fee again. Contact English Language Studies to discuss your return from a leave of absence and to register for courses. Remember that as an international student, you must be enrolled full-time in four ESL classes.

• Submit a Return from Leave of Absence Request.
• Have your academic advisor complete a program completion form confirming the expected end date of your program and stating that you are permitted to resume your studies at The New School.
• Gather financial documents in English issued within the last six months showing your ability to fund your new program and living expenses. If your bank document is not in your name, have your sponsor complete an Affidavit of Support. See the Estimated Expenses sheet for your program to find out the amount you must show the ability to cover in order for us to issue you a new I-20 for your new educational level.
• Once your request has been approved, ISSS will email you instructions for downloading your new I-20 from iGlobal.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, if the visa in your passport is still valid, you do not need a new visa, but you do need a new initial attendance I-20.

Before making a request to transfer your SEVIS record to another institution, be sure to consult with your English Language Studies advisor and an international student advisor. Courses at your new institution must begin within five months of your last date of attendance at The New School or the next available session at your new institution, whichever is sooner.

1. Complete a Transfer-Out Request. You will need to have your acceptance letter and new institution's transfer verification form and to determine your transfer release date.
2. Complete the University Exit Form through the Request Help button on Starfish. Select "I am considering withdrawing/taking a temporary leave" from the drop-down menu and follow the instructions. If you recently completed the ESL program and are within the 60-day grace period, you are not required to complete the University Exit Form.