Your path to AELS starts here
From anywhere in the world to your classroom in Los Angeles. Find the path that matches your situation and follow the steps.
Which one describes you?
Select the option that best matches your current situation to jump to the exact steps you'll need to follow.
Overseas students
Apply from outside the U.S. for an F-1 student visa. We'll issue an I-20 to support your visa application.
See the steps →F-1 transfer
Transfer from another U.S. school while maintaining your F-1 status. A SEVIS transfer is required.
See the steps →Change of status
Currently in the U.S. on a non-student visa and want to change to F-1 without leaving the country.
See the steps →B1/B2 visa
Visitors on a B1/B2 visa can take part-time ESL classes of up to 18 hours per week.
See the steps →ESTA / visa waiver
Short-term, part-time ESL for visitors under the Visa Waiver Program. Limited to 90 days.
See the steps →F-1 reinstatement
Had your F-1 status terminated and wish to apply for reinstatement through USCIS.
See the steps →Local applicants
U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or those with valid immigration status living locally.
See the steps →Apply from outside the U.S.
For students currently living outside the U.S. who wish to study here on an F-1 student visa. We will issue an I-20 form to support your visa application at a U.S. embassy or consulate. You must be at least 18 years old to enroll.
Submit an inquiry form
Complete and submit the inquiry form on our website to begin your application process.
We'll email you back
After you submit your inquiry, our team will reply by email to confirm and let you know exactly which documents to send.
Email your documents
Email the documents listed below to info@aels.edu — that’s all you need to send. There’s no online form to fill out.
- A copy of your current passport
- A high school diploma or college transcript translated into English
- A bank statement issued within the last six months
Pay application fees
Once you have submitted all three documents, you will receive an email containing a link to pay your application fees by credit card.
Receive your I-20 and acceptance letter
After you have paid your application fees, please expect to receive your I-20 form, acceptance letter, and SEVIS I-901 receipt within one week.
Complete the DS-160 and attend your visa interview
After receiving your I-20, you'll need to complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (DS-160). Explore our step-by-step instructional videos in your language for guidance on filling out the DS-160 form.
Plan your arrival in the United States
You may enter the U.S. up to 30 days before your program's start date on your I-20. Please email us at info@aels.edu as soon as you arrive to schedule your placement test.
Transfer from another U.S. school
For current F-1 visa holders studying at another U.S. institution who would like to transfer to AELS. A SEVIS transfer and a new I-20 are required.
Submit an inquiry form
Complete and submit the inquiry form on our website to begin your transfer process.
We'll email you back
After you submit your inquiry, our team will reply by email to confirm and let you know exactly which documents to send.
Email your documents
Email the documents listed below to info@aels.edu — that’s all you need to send. There’s no online form to fill out.
- A copy of your current passport
- A high school diploma or college transcript translated into English
- A bank statement issued within the last six months
- A copy of your current I-20 form
- A copy of your current visa
Pay application fees
Once you have submitted all five documents, you will receive an email containing a link to pay your application fees by credit card.
Receive your acceptance letter
After paying your application fees, you should receive your acceptance letter within one week. Once received, please provide it to your current school so your SEVIS record can be released to us before the course start date.
Change to F-1 status
For individuals currently in the U.S. on a non-student visa (such as B1/B2 or H-1B) who wish to change to F-1 status without leaving the country.
Submit an inquiry form
Complete and submit the inquiry form on our website to begin your status change process.
We'll email you back
After you submit your inquiry, our team will reply by email to confirm and let you know exactly which documents to send.
Email your documents
Email the documents listed below to info@aels.edu — that’s all you need to send. There’s no online form to fill out.
- A copy of your current passport
- A high school diploma or college transcript translated into English
- A bank statement issued within the last six months
- A copy of your current visa
Pay application fees
Once you have submitted all four documents, you will receive an email containing a link to pay your application fees by credit card.
Receive your I-20 and acceptance letter
After you have paid your application fees, please expect to receive your I-20 form, acceptance letter, and SEVIS I-901 receipt within one week. You may work with your own attorney for your change of status application, or use our school's attorney — email info@aels.edu for fee details.
Apply while on a B1/B2 visa
Visitors in the U.S. on a B-1/B-2 visa may take part-time, recreational ESL classes of up to 18 hours per week. If you plan to enroll full time (18+ hours per week), you must apply to change status to F-1 by submitting Form I-539 to USCIS.
Submit an inquiry form
Complete and submit the inquiry form on our website to begin your application process.
We'll email you back
After you submit your inquiry, our team will reply by email to confirm and let you know exactly which documents to send.
Email your documents
Email the documents listed below to info@aels.edu — that’s all you need to send. There’s no online form to fill out.
- A copy of your current passport
- A high school diploma or college transcript translated into English
- A copy of your current visa
Pay application fees
Once you have submitted all three documents, you will receive an email containing a link to pay your application fees by credit card.
Receive your acceptance letter
Once your application fees are received, you can expect your acceptance letter within one week. Placement test details will be included in the same email.
Apply while on ESTA
Visitors under the ESTA/Visa Waiver Program can join our short-term, part-time ESL programs during their authorized stay. Study is limited to fewer than 18 hours per week and must be recreational. Enrollment must not exceed 90 days, and full-time study is not permitted under ESTA.
Submit an inquiry form
Complete and submit the inquiry form on our website to begin your application process.
We'll email you back
After you submit your inquiry, our team will reply by email to confirm and let you know exactly which documents to send.
Email your documents
Email the documents listed below to info@aels.edu — that’s all you need to send. There’s no online form to fill out.
- A copy of your current passport
- A high school diploma or college transcript translated into English
Pay application fees
Once you have submitted both documents, you will receive an email containing a link to pay your application fees by credit card.
Receive your acceptance letter
Once your application fees are received, you can expect your acceptance letter within one week. Placement test details will be included in the same email.
Reinstatement after termination
For students whose F-1 status was terminated and who wish to apply for reinstatement through USCIS in order to resume their studies in the U.S.
Submit an inquiry form
Complete and submit the inquiry form on our website to begin your reinstatement process.
We'll email you back
After you submit your inquiry, our team will reply by email to confirm and let you know exactly which documents to send.
Email your documents
Email the documents listed below to info@aels.edu — that’s all you need to send. There’s no online form to fill out.
- A copy of your current passport
- A high school diploma or college transcript translated into English
- A bank statement issued within the last six months
- A copy of your current visa
- A copy of your current I-20 form
- A termination letter from your current school
- A letter explaining the reason for your SEVIS termination, why you wish to continue your studies with us, and your intent to comply with F-1 regulations going forward
Pay application fees
Once you have submitted all seven documents, you will receive an email containing a link to pay your application fees by credit card.
Receive your I-20 and acceptance letter
After you have paid your application fees, please expect to receive your I-20 form and acceptance letter. You may work with your own attorney for your reinstatement application, or use our school's attorney — email info@aels.edu for fee details.
Local applicants
For U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or individuals with a valid immigration status other than F-1 who live locally and would like to join our program.
Submit an inquiry form
Complete and submit the inquiry form on our website to begin your application process.
We'll email you back
After you submit your inquiry, our team will reply by email to confirm and let you know exactly which documents to send.
Email your documents
Email the documents listed below to info@aels.edu — that’s all you need to send. There’s no online form to fill out.
- A high school diploma or college transcript translated into English
Pay application fees
Once you have submitted your diploma or college transcript, you will receive an email containing a link to pay your application fees by credit card.
Receive your acceptance letter
Once your application fees are received, you can expect your acceptance letter within one week. Placement test details will be included in the same email.
Ready to take the first step?
Submit an inquiry and our admissions team will email you exactly what to send next.
Inquire Today