English for Advanced Legal Study

Application Materials

Applicants must apply online. Only applications submitted from the ALP Web site are accepted.

1. Completed online application form.
   
   In general, an F-1 (student visa) is required for study in the US. International applicants are required to request an I-20 for the American Language Program (not their LL.M. program) in order to obtain the F-1 visa and must enroll in a full-time program (18 hours or more per week).
   
   All international students taking EALS must have an I-20 issued by the ALP. At the end of the summer, we will transfer your I-20 from the ALP to your Law School.
   
   If you are already holding an F-1 visa and attending another school you must also transfer your SEVIS record from your current school to the ALP. Please speak to your Advisor at your current school.
   
   To receive an I-20, please upload your ALP admission letter with the following documents (see below) to the online I-20 application page (Compass). You will receive your admission letter and I-20 instructions after you are admitted to the program.
2. Bank statement: this document must be in English and dated within the last three months. It must be from a checking or savings account and must show sufficient available funds to pay the estimated tuition, fees and living expenses.
   
   • To see required balance for I-20, please see the "Total" amount for your program, above.
   
   For ALP purposes, we need to see sufficient funds for the ALP I-20 only. However, when you have your visa appointment at the US Embassy in your country, we strongly recommend that you show financial documents with sufficient funds to also cover one year of your L.L.M program. When we transfer your record from the ALP to your law school at the end of the summer you must again show financial documents with sufficient funds to cover one year of your L.L.M program.
3. Sponsor letter: the letter must be in English and dated within the last three months. It must also be signed by the sponsor. If you are sending your own bank statement you are not required to submit a sponsor letter. The sponsor letter is necessary only if a bank statement will be submitted on your behalf by another person. The person whose bank statement you will submit is your sponsor.
   
   Your sponsor must submit a letter (sponsor letter) stating that s/he will provide you with full financial support during the period of your study in the ALP. The sponsor letter must be in English and dated within the last three months. It must also be signed by the sponsor.
4. Photocopy of your passport’s identification page.
   
   • The page in your passport that shows your photograph, your name and your date of birth.
5. Copy of your Fall Law School Admission Letter

Once your completed application and accompanying materials and fees have been received and processed, you will receive a U.S. government I-20 A-B form. Bring the I-20 A-B form, along with your letter of acceptance and original financial documents, to a U.S. embassy or consulate in your country to apply for a student (F-1) visa.

Students must apply online. Please select English for Advanced Legal Study as your program. If you have any questions regarding your I-20, SEVIS, transfers, or immigration in general, please contact ALPvisa [[at]] columbia [[dot]] edu.

At the completion of the English for Advanced Legal Study course, you will work with the ALP Visa Office to transfer your I-20 to your law school for the completion of your L.L.M. program.