International Student

International Student Application Procedures

Step 1 + 2: Complete the online application form and send us the following documents to complete your child’s application package:

  • Student’s Photo:
    • Size: Passport photo size (2×2 inches or 35×45 millimeters)
    • Attire: White collared shirt with a dark blue or black tie
    • Background: Plain white
  • Proof of Residency
  • Transcript/grade report(s) from the past 12 months (Transcripts in foreign languages should be accompanied with English translation.)
  • An Artistic Portfolio (required of all arts track applicants)
  • English and Math Teacher’s Recommendation 
  • A non-refundable application fee of $80

Visa Application

  • I-20 Application (included in the online application)
  • A scan of the applicant’s passport photo page
  • Proof of at least $60,050 in funds, such as in the form of:
    • A bank statement OR Annual Salary (Employment)

Note: If you did not upload your child’s transcripts, you may request the transcript to be sent directly to Northern Academy’s Admissions Office via admissions@northernacademy.org (Transcripts in foreign languages should be accompanied with English translation.)

 
Step 3: The applicant will complete an online English and Math assessment (Check your inbox for assessment link)
 
Step 4: After completing step 3 and after receiving your child’s complete application package, the applicant will attend an online admissions interview/audition (Check your inbox for the interview notification email)
 
Step 5: A decision notice is typically sent within 2 weeks of the interview
 
View our International Student Application Process
 
The applications for our 2025-2026 school year will open soon.
 
Application period for our 2025-2026 school year will conclude on May 30, 2025. Please be sure to complete your child’s application package before the deadline.
 
Additionally, the applicant’s application package must be fully completed within one month to remain active. If any application becomes dormant, a $50 fee will be required to reactivate it.

Step 6: Read the acceptance email carefully and confirm acceptance of the admissions offer by

  1. Completing your child’s Tuition Agreement form and Enrollment Consent & Required Documents form.

  2. Pay the non-refundable deposit of $3,000 USD via this link.

If your child’s student visa was denied, please send us proof of visa denial within 30 days of receiving the I-20 to admissions@northernacademy.org. Once we receive the proof of visa denial, we will refund you the deposit minus a $300 processing fee. Please note that there will be a $300 fee for each I-20 re-issuance request.

Step 7: Once we receive the completed forms and non-refundable deposit, we will then start your child’s I-20 application.

  1. The PDSO/DSO (Principal designated school official/Designated school official) issues a draft I-20 around 5 business days after receiving the deposit.

  2. Double check the draft to confirm all information is correct.

    1.  If corrections are NOT needed, reply to the email stating all information is correct.

    2.  If corrections are needed, reply with the correct information.

  3. PDSO/DSO will send a confirmation email to the applicant’s Parent/Guardian’s email address on the application.

We usually give about a month’s time for the whole visa process and the student can enter as early as 30 days before the start date stated on the I-20. Important: Entry into the United States is not guaranteed after the program start date.

Step 8: After receiving the confirmation email from our PDSO/DSO, proceed with Step 9.

Step 9: Upon receiving Form I-20 from the PDSO/DSO at Northern Academy, please pay the SEVIS I-901 fee.

  • Visit www.fmjfee.com. (You can only pay for the SEVIS I-901 fee using this site, do not pay via any other websites.) Keep the receipt for your visa interview.

Step 10: Schedule a visa interview at your local US Embassy or Consulate

You will need to bring the following documents to your visa interview:

  1. Form I-20, with a signature from the PDSO/DSO

  2. SEVIS I-901 fee receipt

  3. A signed passport, valid for at least 6 months after the date you plan to enter the US

  4. Visa application forms from the US consulate (e.g. DS-160) and required photos

  5. Transcripts and diplomas from previous schools

  6. Tuition receipt from Northern Academy, and/or

  7. Evidence of proof of sufficient funds to cover tuition and living expenses

  8. Acceptance letter from the Northern Academy Admissions Office

  9. Information sheet about Northern Academy

  10. Your intention to depart the US after completing your studies.

Step 11: Prepare for the visa interview

  1. Know the usual questions

  2. Practice your English

  3. Know the program and how it fits your career plans

  4. Employment should not be your main goal to go to the US

  5. Prepare all documents and receipts

  6. Arrive on time

Step 12:

  1. Once you pass your visa interview, continue with Step 13.

  2. If your child’s student visa was denied, please send us proof of visa denial within 30 days of receiving the denial letter to admissions@northernacademy.org. Once we receive the proof of visa denial, we will refund you the deposit minus a $300 processing fee.

Step 13: Notify us of your child’s visa approval by emailing proof to admissions@northernacademy.org. 

Step 14: Send your child’s birth certificate, vaccination records, physical examination, and NMC consent form to admissions@northernacademy.org.

Step 15: Ensure that your child’s full tuition balance is paid off at least 45 days before the program start date listed on I-20.

For your convenience, please view and complete our Acceptance Checklist via this link

Failure to complete Step 15 at least 45 days before the program start date will result in the cancellation of your child’s enrollment and student visa.

Step 16: You will receive your child’s Official Enrollment email once the health documents have been cleared by our nurse.

The Official Enrollment email contains vital information, including the link to purchase your child’s school uniform, your child’s enrollment date, boarding details, office directory, and more. 

Step 17: Arrange for travel into the US.

Step 18: When preparing for departure to the US, notify your PDSO/DSO (both Mr. Simon Jiang (sjiang@northernacademy.org) and Chloe Chan (cchan@northernacademy.org)) about when you will be arriving in the United States. Please bring the following documents with you:

  • Passport (valid for at least 6 months after you enter the US)

  • Visa stamp or sticker (does not apply to Canadian citizens)

  • Form I-20 (F-1)

  • SEVIS I-901 fee receipt

  • Supporting financial documentation

Step 19: Report to the PDSO/DSO at school on your program start date for an International Student Orientation.

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Our mission is to nurture students to become cultured individuals of exemplary moral character. To this end, we provide an education drawn from the classics and the arts, one steeped in divinely inspired traditional values of the East and West.

We are accredited by the Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Institutions of the Middle States Association.