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International Student Information
To study with us at the Montessori Training Center Northeast as an international student, you will need an F-1 Student Visa.
Steps to Obtain an F-1 Visa
Receive Acceptance to MTCNE
- Submit your application
- Receive your formal acceptance letter
- Once accepted, you will receive a notification that you are eligible to request an I-20.
Submit Your I-20 Request Form + Required Documents
You will receive the I-20 Request Form by email. Return it by email and include:
- Copy of your valid Passport ID page
- Evidence of Financial Ability (see below)
- Proof of sponsorship (if someone else is paying)
📎 Evidence of Financial Ability (examples)
You must show you have funds to cover tuition and living expenses.
Acceptable documentation includes:
- Bank statements (personal or family)
- Sponsor documents/letters
- Scholarship or financial award letters
- Letter from employer with salary information
💰 Minimum Funding Required to Issue the I-20
- Tuition & Fees: full program cost
- Books/Materials/Supplies : $1,000 – $1500
- Estimate Living Expenses: $2,000 per month
- Each dependent add $500 per month
Pay MTCNE Visa Processing Fee
Pay online:
🔗 https://mtcne.org/payment/
📩 After paying, email your payment receipt to:
mtcneadmissions@crec.org
Receive and Sign Your I-20
You will receive your I-20 via DocuSign.
✔ Check all details carefully
✔ Sign where required
✔ Print for the Embassy/Consulate Appointment and subsequent travel to US
Complete Required Visa Forms & Payments
| Required Form | Where to Complete | Approximate Fee |
| I-901 SEVIS Fee | www.fmjfee.com | $350 |
| DS-160 Visa Application | https://ceac.state.gov/CEAC/ | $160 |
📌 Print both receipts. You must bring them to your F-1 visa interview
Schedule Your Embassy/Consulate Appointment
Wait times vary greatly by country—schedule early!
🔍 Check wait times here: (U.S. Dept. of State tool)
You must bring:
- Original I-20
- SEVIS I-901 receipt
- DS-160 confirmation/receipt
- Passport
- Financial documentation
Preparing to Travel to the U.S.
Once your visa is approved, make travel plans.
📨 Before you travel to the U.S., email us your arrival date so we can confirm your I-20 is properly signed.
Already on an F-1 Visa in the U.S.?
Process for Students who want transfer F-1 status to MTCNE
1. Receive Acceptance to MTCNE
- Submit your application
- Receive your formal acceptance letter
- Once accepted, you will receive a notification via email that you are eligible to complete the I-20 Transfer Request Form which requires a signature from the official at your current institution.
2. Submit Your I-20 Transfer Request Form + Required Documents
Return the completed I-20 Transfer Request Form by email and include:
📌 Required Attachments
- Copy of your valid Passport ID page
- Evidence of Financial Ability (listed under Steps to Obtain an F-1 Visa)
- Proof of sponsorship (if someone else is paying)
3. Pay the Visa Processing Fee
MTCNE charges a visa processing and maintenance fee for all international students transferring their I-20. This fee is separate from SEVIS fees or any government fees.
Pay online:
🔗 https://mtcne.org/payment/
📩 After paying, email your payment receipt to:
mtcneadmissions@crec.org
4. After You Submit Everything
Once we receive:
- your completed I-20 Transfer Request Form
- all required documents, and
- your payment confirmation
MTCNE will work with your current school to officially transfer your SEVIS record and the DSO will issue your updated I-20.
4. Receive and Sign Your I-20
You will receive your I-20 via DocuSign.
✔ Check all details carefully
✔ Sign where required
✔ Print and keep the I-20 with other important travel documents
When You Arrive at MTCNE
Within your first week on campus, please visit the MTCNE office.
Bring:
- Passport
- Student Visa
- I-20
- U.S. address
- I-94 Arrival/Departure Record (can be printed from https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov)
MTCNE must activate your SEVIS record to maintain your legal visa status.
Important Visa Rules to Know
Travel
✈ Before leaving the U.S. during your program, you MUST obtain a travel signature on your I-20.
Work Options
- CPT (Curricular Practical Training): Work during your training (e.g., student teaching)
- OPT (Optional Practical Training): Work up to 1 year after training
Full-time CPT may reduce your OPT eligibility.
Student must be in good standing to request CPT and/or OPT.
In order for MTCNE to recommend you for CPT through SEVIS, you will need to provide the following information to the designated school official (DSO):
- Employment Start Date
- Employment End Date
- Indicate if the work is Full-time or Part-time
- Employer Name
- Employer Address
Once the DSO receives the above information, the request will be reviewed. Once approved, a CPT employment authorization request will be submitted through SEVIS. If there are questions or concerns before the DSO submits the CPT request, she/he will be in touch.
Note: It is the student’s obligation to report changes in employment information (to include periods of unemployment) and changes in your address, per the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 8, Sections 214.2(f)(10) to (f)(13) and 214.2(m)(14).
Please review the Homeland Security’s Study in the States website to learn more about training opportunities and OPT specifically: https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students/training-opportunities-in-the-united-states.
In order for MTCNE to recommend you for OPT through SEVIS, you will need to provide the following information to the designated school official (DSO):
- Employment Start Date
- Employment End Date
- Indicate if the work is Full-time or Part-time
- Job Title
- Employer Name
- Employer EIN
- Employer Address
- Supervisor information (first/last name, telephone and email)
Once the DSO receives the above information, the request will be reviewed. Once approved, an OPT employment authorization request will be submitted through SEVIS. If there are questions or concerns before the DSO submits the OPT employment authorization request, she/he will be in touch.
Note: It is the student’s obligation to report changes in employment information (to include periods of unemployment) and changes in your address, per the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 8, Sections 214.2(f)(10) to (f)(13) and 214.2(m)(14).