FAQ
Have questions? We’re here to help.
Otips is your go-to platform if you’re an international student already in the U.S. looking for schools, work options, or visa help — without the stress. We connect you with language schools, colleges, and universities across the country and help you apply with real, honest advice (no agency drama).
💼 Need immigration help too? We’ve got you.
Otips supports:
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✏️ F1 status changes
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🕒 CPT Day 1 programs (start working legally while you study!)
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💼 O1, EB1, EB2, and EB3 work visa support
💸 Use both our school + immigration services? You get a discount — because we believe in saving you time and money.
💬 Real support from people who’ve been there — our team includes former international students who know what it’s like. We’re here to make the process way easier.
To learn more about Otips services, explore our website. You can choose the service that
suits your needs—whether it’s studying abroad, changing your visa status, or both. Otips
provides personalized counseling to help you select schools, apply for scholarships, and
navigate visa processes. After submitting your application, you’ll receive ongoing customer
support. For additional assistance, you can contact Otips via Telegram or WhatsApp at
+14152358080.
Imagine if you and a big group of students all applied to the same school at once — you’d probably get a better deal, right? That’s basically what Otips does for you.
We work with many U.S. schools and negotiate lower tuition rates because we send them a lot of students. So when you apply through Otips, you’re getting access to exclusive discounts — even if you’re applying just for yourself.
💸 Same school. Same education. Lower price.
🚫 No extra fees. No hidden costs. Just better deals than going solo.
After selecting your preferred school, follow the instructions to complete your application and
pay the booking (enrollment) fee. Our team will guide you through the process and assist with
any necessary paperwork to ensure a smooth enrollment experience.
Yes, Otips charges a booking fee, which is essentially an application fee for language
schools. This fee covers issuing your I-20 form, our assistance with the application process,
gathering necessary documents, and communication with the school. By enrolling through
Otips, you take advantage of our negotiated rates with partner schools, often lowering your
overall costs compared to applying directly.
Common documents include your passport, academic transcripts, proof of financial support, and any additional documents required by the specific school, such as a high school or college diploma.
The F-1 visa is a non-immigrant student visa that allows international students to study full-time at a U.S.-approved school, such as a language school, college, or university.
- Apply and Get Accepted: First, apply to a SEVP-approved school in the U.S. Once accepted, you’ll receive an I-20 form from the school, which is required for your visa application.
- Pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee: This fee is necessary to register with the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
- Complete the DS-160 Form: This is the online non-immigrant visa application form.
- Schedule and Attend Your Visa Interview: Make an appointment at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Bring the required documents, including your passport, I-20 form, proof of financial support, and academic records.
- Attend Your Interview: During the interview, a consular officer will assess your application and eligibility for the F-1 visa.
The I-20 form is a document issued by US educational institutions to certify that a student
has been admitted to a full-time study program and has sufficient financial resources. It is
required to apply for an F1 student visa and maintain student status in the US.
Schools charge an application fee to cover the administrative costs of processing your
application, including reviewing your documents, assessing your eligibility, and maintaining
application systems. This fee ensures that your application is given the attention it deserves.
We provide comprehensive support for changing your visa status, including assistance with
filling out the necessary forms. You only need to complete our application form once, and we’ll
handle the rest. We’ll gather all the required documents from your chosen language school or
university, prepare your application, and submit it to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
on your behalf. Is that cool? One platform, two services.
The SEVIS fee is $350, which is required for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information
System. You can pay it online at fmjfee.com using your SEVIS ID and school code from your
I-20 form.
U.S. law allows tourists with a B1/B2 visa to take only short, part-time courses of study. If you
wish to enroll in a full-time academic or language program, you must change your visa status to
an F-1 student visa. Otips can assist you with this process, including helping you apply to
language schools or universities, gathering the required documents, and submitting your
change of status application to USCIS.
Yes, if you are in the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program, you can take a short, part-time
language course as long as it is incidental to your visit and does not exceed 90 days. However,
for full-time studies or programs lasting longer, you must apply for an F-1 student visa.
Otips can assist you in applying for an F-1 visa from overseas.
Unfortunately, if you enter the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program, you are not permitted to
change status while in the U.S. You will need to apply for the F-1 visa from outside the country.
Yes, Otips can assist you with transferring to another language school or university. We
will help you find a suitable institution, guide you through the transfer process, and assist with
the necessary paperwork to ensure a smooth transition. Our team will coordinate with schools to
ensure your SEVIS record is properly transferred. Additionally, we have special offers for
transfer students to make the process even more affordable
Yes, Otips can assist you in reinstating your F-1 status if you have not been out of status
for more than 5 months. We will help you prepare the necessary documents, guide you through
the reinstatement application process with USCIS, and assist in gathering evidence to support
your case. Our team will work closely with you and your school to ensure all requirements are
met for a successful reinstatement application
The cost of reinstating your F-1 status includes several fees:
● Application fee: $250 for issuing the I-20 form
● Tuition fee to school: Starting at $450 per month
● USCIS Reinstatement Application Fee: $420 (or $470 if there are co-applicants)
● Otips Service Fee: $450 + $100 for each additional co-applicant for assistance with
preparing and submitting your reinstatement application.
There are no hidden fees, and we will inform you in advance of any potential costs.
The cost depends on the school and city — some schools in big cities or with extra services may be more expensive, while others are more budget-friendly. But here’s the good news:
✅ You always get a lower price when you apply through Otips.
We negotiate special rates with our partner schools to make sure students save money.
🎁 Bonus: Some of our partner schools waive the application fee entirely when you apply through Otips — that’s extra savings right from the start.
And if you’re planning to enroll in a university program, we offer discounts there too.
💬 Not sure where to start? Just message us — we’ll help you compare schools and prices.
Potential Fees for USCIS and Otips Services
For B1/B2 or ESTA Visa Holders:
- Only application and tuition fees are required.
For F-1 Visa Holders:
- SEVIS I-901 Fee: $350
Changing Status (e.g., from B1/B2 or J1 to F-1):
- Application Fee: from $100
- SEVIS I-901 Fee: $350
- USCIS Change of Status Fee: $420 (or $470 if there’s a co-applicant)
- School Deposit or Change of Status Fee: Starting from $100, depending on the school
- Otips Canage of Status Fee: $450 for one applicant, plus $100 for each additional applicant if we prepare your USCIS application
- Total Estimated Fee: $1,470 (excluding any school deposit fees)
USCIS Premium Processing Service (I-907):
- Fee: $1,965
- Processing Time: 30 days
There are no hidden fees; we will inform you of any costs in advance.
Unfortunately, all payments are final and non-refundable. If you applied for a change of status
and your application was denied, you will receive your deposit fee back if it applies. If you apply
for a visa from abroad, you won’t receive a refund except for the tuition fee if paid in advance.
Any refundable deposit or tuition fee will be returned to the original payment method within 45
days.
We accept various payment methods, including credit/debit cards, bank transfers, and online
payment platforms. Specific instructions will be provided during the enrollment process.
Programs typically range from beginner to advanced levels. Some schools also offer
specialized courses like TOEFL/IELTS preparation, Business English, GMAT, etc. To enroll in
specialized courses, your English proficiency must generally be at a B1 level or higher.
Yes, it is possible to switch between morning and evening classes, subject to availability and
your level of English proficiency. It depends on the school’s policy. Some schools allow you to
enroll in evening classes from the start, while others may require you to first reach a certain
level of English. Please let us know if you wish to enroll only in evening classes, and we will try
to accommodate your request.
If your English level does not meet the advanced requirement for evening classes, you will be
placed in the appropriate class based on your assessment.
It’s recommended to apply for a change of status after 90 days of your presence in the U.S.
and at least 45 days before the expiration of your current status. This timing helps ensure that
your application is processed while you remain legal.
The processing time for a status change within the U.S. can vary but typically takes 6 to 12 months. If you choose USCIS Premium Processing (I-907), the processing time can be reduced to 30 days, though this service comes with an additional fee of $1,965.
Yes, once you apply for a change of status to F-1, you can remain in the U.S. legally, even if
your current visa (such as B1/B2 or J1) expires while your application is pending with USCIS. As
long as your change of status application is submitted before your current visa status expires,
you will maintain legal status while waiting for USCIS to process your case. However, you must
not leave the U.S. during this time, as leaving would abandon your application.
It is generally not recommended to travel outside the US while your change of status
application is pending, as it may result in your application being abandoned. Please consult with
our team for specific advice based on your situation.
No, if you are applying for a status change to F-1 from within the U.S., you do not need to
attend a visa interview. The process is handled by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
(USCIS), and your application is reviewed based on the documents you submit. However, if you
are applying for an F-1 visa from outside the U.S., you must attend an interview at the U.S.
embassy or consulate in your home country.
No, when USCIS approves your status change to F-1, you will not receive a visa stamp on
your passport. Instead, you will receive an I-797 approval notice, which confirms your legal F-1
status while you remain in the U.S. If you leave the U.S. after your status change, you will need
to apply for an F-1 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country to re-enter the
U.S. with an F-1 visa stamp in your passport.
We provide comprehensive guidance on preparing for your US embassy interview, including
required documents, common questions, and tips for a successful interview. Detailed
information is available in our visa preparation materials.
For your embassy interview, you will typically need the following documents:
1. Valid passport (must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay in the
U.S.)
2. Form DS-160 confirmation page (nonimmigrant visa application form)
3. Visa appointment confirmation (with payment receipt)
4. Form I-20 (issued by your school for F-1 student visa applicants)
5. SEVIS fee payment receipt (I-901 payment)
6. Passport-size photo (meeting U.S. visa photo requirements)
7. Proof of financial support (bank statements, scholarship letters, or affidavits showing
sufficient funds to cover your tuition and living expenses)
8. School admission letter (from the school you’re applying to)
9. Any additional documents requested by the embassy (such as proof of ties to your home
country or previous U.S. visa documentation).
Otips can assist with a wide range of immigration cases, including changing your visa
status, applying for F-1 student visas, and handling other visa types such as O1, EB1, EB2, and
EB3. We provide personalized guidance, assist with gathering the required documents, and
manage the entire application process, including submission to USCIS. Our team ensures that
your application is prepared accurately to maximize your chances of approval. Additionally, we
offer support for visa reinstatements and status changes, helping make the process smoother
and more efficient.
For additional information, please visit our Immigration Service page.
You can contact Otips via email at [email protected] or by phone or
Telegram/WhatsApp at +1 (415) 235-8080. Our support team is available to assist you with any
questions or concerns.
