Since July 2003, the easiest way for an independent school to be certified by the Department of Homeland Security/Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (DHS/BCIS) to issue the Form I-20, required for the F-1 visa, is to be accredited. Thus, although accreditation is a voluntary process, accreditation may be required in order for your school to enroll international students on F-1 visas. You will want to keep informed about issues surrounding the admittance and tracking of international students in the country. NAFSA: Association of International Educators is a good source of information.

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