Apply For Your U.S. Student Visa: Undergraduate

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Apply For Your U.S. Student Visa: Undergraduate

Apply For Your U.S. Student Visa: Undergraduate

If you’re an international student dreaming of studying in the United States, your first big step is understanding the student visa process. The U.S. offers a world-class education system, diverse cultural experiences, and career-defining opportunities. Whether you’re pursuing an academic degree or a career in the performing arts, the U.S. has something for you.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through how to apply for your U.S. student visa as an undergraduate. We’ll cover the most common visa types—F-1 and M-1—along with their requirements, timelines, and benefits. Plus, we’ll show you how international students can study acting in Los Angeles at one of the top conservatories in the U.S.

STUDY ACTING IN LOS ANGELES WITH A STUDENT VISA

Los Angeles is the heart of the entertainment industry and home to some of the best acting colleges and performing arts schools in the world. If you’re passionate about acting and want to train with industry professionals, there’s no better place to be.

The Los Angeles Acting Conservatory welcomes international students and is certified to issue I-20s required for the F-1 Student Visa.

F-1 Visa Students are eligible to live and study in the U.S.
An I-20 and F-1 visa are not required if studying remotely from your home country.
We offer both M1 student visas and F1 student visas depending on your program.
After program completion, students may apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) to gain real-world industry experience.

📞 Call: +1-310-392-0815
📧 Email: [email protected]
🔗 Learn more about F-1 visas and M-1 visas

Step 1: Get Accepted to a SEVP-Certified School

Before you can apply for a student visa, you must be accepted to a SEVP-certified U.S. institution. SEVP stands for the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, which ensures schools are authorized to enroll international students.

The Los Angeles Acting Conservatory is SEVP-approved and can issue the Form I-20, a requirement for F-1 and M-1 visa applications.

Documents Needed for School Admission:

Academic transcripts
Passport copy
Language proficiency scores (like TOEFL or IELTS)
Personal statement or audition materials (for acting programs)
Proof of finances

Step 2: Receive the Form I-20

Once admitted, the school’s Designated School Official (DSO) will issue a Form I-20, which includes important details about:

Your program of study
Start and end dates
Estimated cost of attendance
SEVIS ID number

You’ll need the I-20 to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee and to schedule your visa interview.

Step 3: Pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee

The SEVIS fee supports the system that tracks international students in the U.S. You must pay this before scheduling your visa interview.

F-1 and M-1 visa applicants pay $350.
Payment can be made online at www.fmjfee.com.

After payment, print your confirmation receipt and keep it for your visa interview.

Step 4: Complete the DS-160 Visa Application

The DS-160 is an online application form required for all nonimmigrant visas.

Complete at https://ceac.state.gov/ceac/
Upload a passport-style photo
Print the confirmation page with the barcode

You’ll need this confirmation for your interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate.

Step 5: Schedule and Attend Your Visa Interview

After submitting the DS-160, schedule a visa appointment at the U.S. embassy or consulate in your country. Visa wait times vary, so schedule early.

Required Documents:

Valid passport
Form I-20
DS-160 confirmation
SEVIS fee receipt
Visa appointment confirmation
Financial documents (bank statements, sponsorship letters)
Academic transcripts and acceptance letter

During the interview, the consular officer may ask about:

Your study plans and goals
Why you chose your school
How you plan to pay for your education
Intentions to return home after your studies

If approved, your visa will be issued and your passport returned with the visa stamp.

Understanding F-1 and M-1 Visas

The U.S. offers different visa types depending on your field of study.

F-1 visas and M-1 visas

Feature	F-1 Visa	M-1 Visa
Program Type	Academic or language studies	Vocational or technical training
Work Authorization	On-campus work, CPT, OPT	Practical Training (PT) after program
Duration	Duration of program + 60 days	Up to 1 year; max 3 years with extensions
Transferability	Can transfer schools easily	Transfers restricted
OPT Eligibility	Yes	No (only PT)

At the Los Angeles Acting Conservatory, both visa types are supported depending on whether the student is pursuing academic or hands-on training.

Step 6: Entering the United States

Once your visa is approved, you can enter the U.S. up to 30 days before your program start date listed on your I-20.

At the U.S. port of entry, present:

Passport with student visa
Form I-20
SEVIS payment receipt
School acceptance letter
Proof of finances

You will receive an I-94 arrival/departure record, which confirms your legal entry.

Step 7: Check In With Your School

You must report to your school’s Designated School Official (DSO) upon arrival in the U.S.

The DSO will:

Register your SEVIS record
Help with class enrollment
Explain F-1 or M-1 regulations
Assist with housing or adjustment questions

Failure to report could lead to a termination of your student status.

Maintaining Your Student Visa Status

To remain in good standing, F-1 and M-1 students must:

Attend school full-time
Maintain a valid passport
Not work off-campus without permission
Report address or academic changes
Keep their I-20 updated and valid

Work Options for F-1 Students

On-Campus Employment

Allowed up to 20 hours/week during school terms
Full-time during breaks

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Work experience integrated into your curriculum
Requires prior authorization

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Up to 12 months of work after graduation
For acting students, this could include paid acting roles, internships, or casting jobs
STEM graduates may qualify for an additional 24 months

M-1 students are only eligible for Practical Training (PT) after completion and under stricter guidelines.

Transferring Schools or Programs

F-1 students can transfer to another SEVP-certified school by requesting a release from their current school and receiving a new I-20 from the new institution.

M-1 transfers are more limited and must be approved by USCIS.

What If Your Visa Is Denied?

A denial isn’t the end. You may:

Reapply with additional supporting documents
Correct any application errors
Address the consular officer’s concerns (e.g., ties to home country, finances)

It’s helpful to consult with your school’s international student advisor for support.

Why Choose the Los Angeles Acting Conservatory?

At our conservatory, we’ve helped hundreds of international students live their dreams:

🎭 Top-tier acting training in Meisner, Stanislavski, Method, and Stella Adler
🎓 SEVP-certified programs for F-1 and M-1 visa eligibility
🌍 Diverse international student body
🎬 Access to film/TV industry internships and castings
📃 Support with visa paperwork, I-20 issuance, and housing
💼 OPT opportunities for graduates to gain industry experience

Whether you’re new to acting or want to refine your skills in the heart of Hollywood, we’re here to support your growth.

Final Thoughts

Applying for your U.S. student visa can feel overwhelming, but it’s a rewarding process that opens doors to personal and professional development. By following each step—from selecting a SEVP-certified school to maintaining your visa status—you’ll set yourself up for success in the United States.

If you’re an aspiring actor, there’s no better place than Los Angeles—and no better school than the Los Angeles Acting Conservatory. We’re here to help you begin your artistic journey, obtain your F-1 visas and M-1 visas, and thrive in one of the world’s most creative cities.

✅ Ready to Get Started?

📞 Call: +1-310-392-0815
📧 Email: [email protected]
🔗 F-1 visas and M-1 visas

Contact us

IN-PERSON ACTING CLASSES

We offer acting classes in Los Angeles to help you hone your craft & jumpstart your career. Our acting school teaches every acting technique: Meisner technique, Lee Strasberg’s method, Stella Adler, Stanislavski’s method, Uta Hagen, and the Chekhov technique.

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ONLINE ACTING CLASSES

Best training in the world no matter where you live!

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KIDS AND TEEN ACTING CLASSES

Learn to develop a solid acting technique and foundation. We focus on fun improvisational games, auditioning techniques, and working on scenes and monologues across comedy and drama.

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INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Study Acting or Filmmaking in Hollywood. F1 Student visa and M1 visa USA for applicants wishing to study the conservatory program

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Short term acting classes

We offer customizable short-term Acting Programs that can be tailored to fit your budget and the length of your stay in Los Angeles.

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Acting workshops

Join LA's Best Acting Workshop, Golden box and Breaking into Hollywood the roadmap to working. Film and television workshops for adults, children and teen

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Our Mission

The Michelle Danner Acting School’s philosophy is that artists can draw upon all different acting techniques & form an individual “Golden toolbox” to use when approaching a role or a scene, whether it be for film, television, or theater. The acting school’s acting techniques are based on Meisner, Strasberg, Stella Adler, Uta Hagen & the Stanislavsky acting Technique.

Michelle Danner’s alumni include Penelope Cruz, Seth MacFarlane, Salma Hayek, Henry Cavill, Zooey Deschanel, Gerard Butler, Chris Rock, Chris Martin, Michael Peña, Michelle Rodriguez, Kate Del Castillo and many others.

The acting school offers classes for all levels: beginner, intermediate, and advanced.

• Classes include:

• Acting for Film

• Scene Study

• Cold Reading

• Musical Theater

• Movement

• Voice and Speech

We are one of the elite acting schools in California, known for training successful actors.

A variety of acting classes are offered in Los Angeles to help students hone their craft and jumpstart their careers.

What makes us different

Our acting program differs from other acting schools in Los Angeles, since we teach every acting technique & method, including the Meisner technique, Lee Strasberg’s method, Stella Adler, Stanislavski’s method & Uta Hagen technique.

Online Acting Classes

Scene Study & Monologues | Meisner acting technique | Cold Read Auditioning | Improvisation
- Develop a strong acting foundation.

- Learn to make powerful acting choices

Acting Techniques

Contact us

Call us to find out about the best acting classes in Los Angeles and to learn more about our best acting teachers in Los Angeles, 310-392-0815 or email us at [email protected]

Unlock your full potential as an actor—enroll today and take the first step toward mastering your craft with world-class training and personalized coaching