Look out for your confirmation email – this shows we’ve received your application.
Application Process
Complete your application form
Submit your documents
Transfer them safely to AIC Campus.
Receive your offer letter
This includes details of your offer, conditions, accommodation and tuition fees.
Accept your place
Pay your deposit to secure your place, then meet the conditions of your offer.
Apply for your visa
We’ll provide the documents you need, and our visa support team are here to help.
Visa Procedures
Accept your offer
Confirm your place, then meet any conditions of your offer (if applicable).
Complete the CAS data check
And any required credibility tasks. Once submitted, you should receive your CAS in 1 working day.
Apply and pay for your visa online
You can apply up to 6 months before your course start date, once you have your CAS.
Pay the Immigration Health Surcharge
This grants you access to the National Health Service (NHS).
Attend a biometrics appointment
Submit the required supporting documents and confirm your identity.
Wait for a decision
This can take 1–4 weeks on average depending on the service you choose.
What type of visa do I need to study at AIC?
International students typically need an F-1 Student Visa to study at AIC. After being accepted into a program, AIC will provide a Form I-20, which is required to apply for the F-1 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country.
How do I obtain my Form I-20 for the F-1 visa application?
Once you are admitted to AIC and have submitted the necessary financial documentation (evidence that you can support yourself financially while in the U.S.), the college’s international student office will issue your Form I-20. You will use this form to schedule a visa appointment at the U.S. embassy or consulate in your country.
What financial documents are required for the visa process?
You need to provide proof of financial support to cover tuition, fees, and living expenses for at least one academic year. This may include:
- Bank statements
- Affidavits of support from family or sponsors
- Scholarship award letters (if applicable)
- Certification of financial support forms from the institution
Can I work while studying in the U.S. on an F-1 visa?
F-1 students are allowed to work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week during the academic term and full-time during school breaks. Off-campus employment requires special authorization through Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT), which are available for students in specific programs under certain conditions.
What should I do if I need to extend my stay in the U.S. after my program ends?
If you plan to stay in the U.S. after completing your degree, you may be eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows you to work in the U.S. for up to 12 months (or 24 months for STEM fields). You must apply for OPT before your program ends. If you need to extend your studies, you can request a program extension from AIC’s international student office before your I-20 expires.
Living Abroad
Adapting to life abroad
Moving abroad to study is the start of an exciting adventure. You’ll make new friends and experience life in a different country. But you may also miss the familiarity of your home life. Don’t worry, you won’t be alone in feeling like this.
The UK, US and Australia are diverse nations, welcoming people from different faiths and cultures. Allow yourself time to adjust to this new culture and before you know it, studying abroad will become one of the most rewarding experiences of your life.
Top 5 tips for feeling at home overseas
- Be open to new experiences: Step outside of your comfort zone and try new things. With a positive attitude, you’re more likely to see the best your new home has to offer.
- Get involved in activities: Join clubs and societies to meet like-minded people and make friends.
- Stay in touch with friends and family: Talk to people you miss from home but remember, your new life is here, so focus on that and making new friends.
- Connect to your culture: Eat and cook food that reminds you of home. Wherever you study, you’ll find restaurants and supermarkets selling food from around the world.
- Take each day as it comes: By setting yourself small, achievable goals and developing a routine, you’ll soon feel secure and familiar in your new home.
Hear from our students
Book your appointment
Visit our Counseling Center located in AIC Campus Colombo, or call us at +94 77 133 5511
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