International Student Enrollment at LSTFI Los Angeles
We warmly welcome international students to the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute into our full time programs (22 hours or more per week. We will advise you and provide supportive services regarding both US immigration rules and regulations and navigating the ins and outs of living in the US.
The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute is authorized under Federal law to enroll nonimmigrant alien students. International students who are admitted to one of our full time programs (22 hours or more per week) and have provided the required financial documents will be issued a SEVIS form I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, which is required to apply for the F-1 or M-1 student visa.
For more information about attending the Los Angeles Campus, contact [email protected].
International applicants (non-US Citizen or Green Card holders) should submit their completed application (see Application Requirements) 6-8 weeks prior to the desired session start date. Application deadlines are set in order to ensure that accepted international applicants have sufficient time to receive immigration documents and obtain an M-1 Vocational or F-1 Academic student visa prior to the session start date. Please note that visa processing times could increase under the current US administration. Please apply early. After acceptance, complete the steps to receive your I-20 for your student visa as soon as possible.
US immigration law requires students to prove sufficient funds for tuition and living expenses for the duration of their program of study or 9 months, whichever is shorter. Proof of funds must:
Be in English
Show financial institution and account holder names
All full-time programs require a student visa. Please note that most Los Angeles campus programs require an M-1 Vocational Student visa. The M-1 Vocational Student visa is for non-degree programs that prepare you for a career, such as acting. The Associate of Occupational Studies Degree program requires an F-1 Academic Student visa. For more information on the differences between F-1 and M-1 visas, click here.
In cases where the applicant has another valid visa that permits study, you do not need an I-20 Certificate, do not need to provide financial documentation, and may apply as a Domestic applicant. Please provide evidence of this visa with your application. Please note that full-time study is not permitted on a tourist (B-1/B-2) visa. Attending a program that is not short-term, avocational and recreational in nature is a violation of the tourist visa status.
Steps to Receiving the I-20 Certificate
First you must submit a complete application package and be interviewed and be fully admitted to a full time program.
Pay the non-refundable $500 deposit (inclusive of non-refundable Registration fee (non-degree students)). Pay the $2500 non-refundable tuition deposit (AOS degree students). Tuition is refundable if your visa is denied or you withdraw before attending classes.
Submit the International Student Info Sheet for I-20 issuance with supporting financial documentation to cover tuition and living costs ($2500 per month).
You will receive your I-20 via email. It should be downloaded and printed and signed.
You will sign your I-20 Certificate and bring to your student visa interview.
You will pay the $350 SEVIS I-901 fee before your visa interview, as well as the fee for the visa application.
TRANSFERRING
If you are currently in the US on an F-1 visa then you may be eligible to transfer your SEVIS record to Strasberg. Please be sure to pay close attention the rules for transferring and deadlines so that you don’t fall out of status.
Please note that you may not transfer a M-1 SEVIS record to an F-1 school or F-1 SEVIS record to M-1. You must obtain a new SEVIS record and student visa.
Non-immigrants already in the U.S. on a valid non-immigrant visa status may be eligible to apply for a change of status to the M-1 or F-1 visa while in the U.S., but there are restrictions. Contact the International Student Advisor or an immigration attorney for further details about changing from your current non-immigrant status to the M-1 or F-1 visa.
Work Opportunities and OPT
Please note, there are no opportunities to work while you study at LSTFI as the Institute does not offer on-campus employment. You must have sufficient funds to support yourself in the US without employment. Employment without approval from USCIS is a violation of your M-1 or F-1 student status.
AOS Degree students (F-1 visa) are eligible for 12 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT) after completion of studies. During OPT, you may work in jobs only related to your program of studies. M-1 students (Los Angeles non-degree programs) earn 1 month of OPT for every 4 consecutive months of study. To be eligible for OPT, you must successfully complete all program requirements.
The Institute will assist eligible students complete and submit their application for OPT to USCIS.
Find more information about coming to the United States as an International student on Study in the States!
