At Bluedata, it is our mission to provide a quality learning experience and an opportunity for international students to learn English for personal, academic, and professional purposes while experiencing American culture in New York City.

Bluedata was founded in 1997 as a private co-educational licensed business school. Since February 2005, Bluedata has been authorized under Federal law to enroll nonimmigrant students. Since April 2011, Bluedata has been accredited by the nationally recognized Commission on English Language Program (CEA), has since then been a private career school that focuses on teaching English as a second language.

Learn more about the history of Bluedata here.

Bluedata is accredited by the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA) and licenced by the New York State Education Department’s Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision (BPSS). Bluedata is authorized by the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to enroll nonimmigrant students.

Bluedata’s address is 1501 Broadway Suite 1511 New York, NY 10036. It is located on 43rd street between Broadway and 7th Avenue.

Station: Times Square 42nd Street Station (closest): A, C, E, N, Q, R, 1, 2, 3, and 7 trains

Exit: Broadway & 43rd St at SW corner

Directions: Head northwest on W 43rd St toward 7th Ave

There are several convenient ways to contact Bluedata and speak to one of our bilingual school agents:

By phone: 212-683-6250 By email: INFO@Bluedataesl.com

You can also click on the “Let’s Chat” tab at the bottom-right corner of your screen and chat with one of us anytime.

Yes. Bluedata is authorized by the United States Department of Homeland Security to enroll nonimmigrant students. Our Designated School Official (DSO) or one of our bilingual school agents will help you with the enrollment process. We issue I-20 for students to obtain an F-1 student visa. Fill out the

and indicate your status.

The form I-20 is a three-page document that is issued by SEVIS-approved institutions and schools to international students entering the U.S on F-1 student visa. It is proof that a student has been admitted to a recognized school and allows the student to apply for a visa at U.S Consulate or Embassy. The Form I-20 is created and maintained in SEVIS by the school DSO. A Form I-20 from Bluedata certifies that:

• You are going to be enrolled/is enrolled as a full-time student pursuing language training in the United States

• You have satisfied admissions requirements and been accepted to Bluedata; and

• You have proven that there is sufficient financial support for you and any dependents to study and live in the United States for the duration of your studies.

Visit our Youtube channel to learn more about our school and see our students and teachers in action. Don’t forget to leave a comment and a “like.”

SEVIS is an Internet-based system that maintains accurate and current information on non-immigrant students (F and M visa), exchange visitors (J visa), and their dependents (F-2, M-2, and J-2). SEVIS is managed by the Student and Exchange Visitors Program (SEVP), which is part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The form I-20 is a three-page document that is issued by SEVIS-approved institutions and schools to international students entering the U.S on F-1 student visa. It is proof that a student has been admitted to a recognized school and allows the student to apply for a visa at U.S Consulate or Embassy. The Form I-20 is created and maintained in SEVIS by the school DSO. A Form I-20 from Bluedata certifies that:

• You are going to be enrolled/is enrolled as a full-time student pursuing language training in the United States

• You have satisfied admissions requirements and been accepted to Bluedata; and

• You have proven that there is sufficient financial support for you and any dependents to study and live in the United States for the duration of your studies

In order to apply for an I-20,

• first determine whether you are an Initial, Transfer, or Change of Status student. (An Initial student is someone who lives outside of the United States. A Transfer student is someone who already has an I-20 and an F-1 student visa. A Change of Status student is someone who has a different visa.)

• Once you have filled out

Bluedata will email you a Student Application Form, a M-EPT Entrance Test and request the necessary documents. (See next question) The necessary documents are different depending on your status.

• After all documents are collected, the form I-20, I-901 SEVIS Fee receipt and an Acceptance Letter from Bluedata will be sent to you!

Depending on your status, you will be required to submit certain documents to be granted the Form 1-20, issued by Bluedata. Below, you will see a list of the necessary documents for different types of students.

Initial Students (students who currently live outside of the US):

• I-20 Application (Student Application Form) and Application Fee

• Passport Copy (at least 6 months valid)

• Highest Certificate/Diploma

• Bank Statement (no older than 90 days) – minimum $5,500 for 1 semester;$10,000 for 2 semesters; $14,500 for 1 academic year (3 semesters)

• Notarized Affidavit of Support if necessary (+Family registry if the sponsor is a family member)

• SEVIS I-901 Fee

• School Service Fee

• Express Mail Fee (optional)

Transfer Students (students who are currently living in the US and have an F-1 visa):

• I-20 Application (Student Application Form) and Application Fee

• Copy of Passport, Visa and I-94

• Previous I-20

• Highest Certificate/Diploma

• Bank Statement (no older than 90 days) – minimum $5,500 for 1 semester;$10,000 for 2 semesters; $14,500 for 1 academic year (3 semesters)

• Affidavit of Support if necessary (+Family registry if the sponsor is a family member)

• Transfer Form filled out by the previous school DSO

Change of Status Students (students who are currently living in the US under a visa other than F-1):

• I-20 Application form (Student application form) and Application Fee

• I-539 form

• Copy of Passport, Visa, I-94 (front/back)

• Copy of I-901 fee receipt

• Highest Certificate/Diploma

• Copy of SSN if available

• Bank Statement (original preferred, no older than 60 days) – minimum $5,500 for 1 semester;$10,000 for 2 semesters; $14,500 for 1 academic year (3 semesters)

• Affidavit of Support if necessary (+Family registry if the sponsor is a family member)

• DS-2019 (J-1 only)

• A copy of recent paycheck (if she/he has worked in the US)

• All other available supplementing documents

• SEVIS I-901 fee

• I-539 Fee

• School Service Fee

• Express Mail Fee (optional)

First, determine your status as an Initial, Transfer, or Change of Status Student. (An Initial student is someone who lives outside of the United States. A Transfer student is someone who already has an I-20 and an F-1 student visa. A Change of Status student is someone who has a different visa.) Follow these steps depending on your status:

Initial Students (students who currently live outside of the US):

1. Gather I-20 + required forms

2. Visa Interview at the US Embassy in your country

3. F-1 Visa Stamp (Eligible to enter the US at most 30 days prior to the I-20 start date)

4. Start class (if the student does not start class within 30 days from the class start date, student’s SEVIS record will be terminated automatically in the system)

Transfer Students (students who are currently living in the US and have an F-1 visa):

1. Visit Bluedata; submit documents

2. Submit transfer form & acceptance letter to old school

3. Have the previous school release student record

4. Register for next available start date

5. Start class on the start date of Bluedata I-20 (printed after student starts class)

Change of Status Students (students who are currently living in the US under a visa other than F-1):

1. Gather I-20, I-539 and I-901 + other required & supplementary documents

2. Send the package to USCIS with $300 check

3. Wait for the approval (student should not leave the US so as to maintain current status)

4. Start class after approval (the next available class start date after the approval)

To maintain F-1 status, students must attend classes at Bluedata for a minimum of 18 hours per week.

for the Form i-20 will be provided by Bluedata in the student’s native language. All other documents must be in English. Feel free to ask one of our bilingual agents for more details.

Upon approval of application and receipt of Form I-20 and F-1 visa, students may enter the US up to and no more than 30 days prior to class start date.

An initial student is someone who lives outside of the US and wishes to study at Bluedata. To enroll, prospective initial students must first fill out

. A school agent will then send a Student Application Form to the prospective initial student, who must then complete the form and submit all of the other required documents to obtain the Form I-20. The necessary documents initial students need to obtain the Form I-20 are:

• I-20 Application (Student Application Form) and Application Fee

• Passport Copy (at least 6 months valid)

• Highest Certificate/Diploma

• Bank Statement (no older than 90 days) – minimum $5,500 for 1 semester;$1,000 for 1 semester; $14,500 for 1 academic year (3 semesters)

• Notarized Affidavit of Support if necessary (+Family registry if the sponsor is a family member)

• SEVIS I-901 Fee

• School Service Fee

• Express Mail Fee (optional)

Then, the prospective initial student should obtain an F-1 student visa by following these steps:

1. Gather I-20 + required forms

2. Visa Interview at the US Embassy in your country

3. Get F-1 Visa Stamp (Eligible to enter the US at most 30 days prior to the I-20 start date)

4. Start class (if the student does not start class within 30 days from the class start date, student’s SEVIS record will be terminated automatically in the system)

A bilingual school agent is always happy and available to help initial students with the enrollment process at any point. We will gladly answer your questions. If you have any additional questions about studying at Bluedata, don’t hesitate to contact us by calling 212-683-6250 or emailing bluedataesl@gmail.com.

Transfer students are students who already live in the US and have an F-1 (student) visa. Prospective transfer students must first obtain the Form I-20 from Bluedata by submitting the following:

• I-20 Application

and Application Fee

• Copy of Passport, Visa and I-94

• Previous I-20

• Highest Certificate/Diploma

• Bank Statement (no older than 90 days) – minimum $5,500 for 1 semester;$1,000 for 1 semester; $14,500 for 1 academic year (3 semesters)

• Affidavit of Support if necessary (+Family registry if the sponsor is a family member)

• Transfer Form filled out by the previous school DSO

Additionally, prospective transfer students will also need to do the following:

1. Visit Bluedata; submit documents

2. Submit transfer form & acceptance letter to old school

3. Have the previous school release student record

4. Register for next available start date

5. Start class on the start date of Bluedata I-20 (printed after student starts class)

A bilingual school agent is always happy and available to help transfer students with the enrollment process at any point. We will gladly answer your questions. If you have any additional questions about studying at Bluedata, don’t hesitate to contact us by calling 212-683-6250 or emailing bluedataesl@gmail.com.

Transfer students are students who already live in the US and have an F-1 (student) visa. Prospective transfer students must first obtain the Form I-20 from Bluedata by submitting the following:

and Application Fee

• Copy of Passport, Visa and I-94

• Previous I-20

• Highest Certificate/Diploma

• Bank Statement (no older than 90 days) – minimum $5,500 for 1 semester;$10,000 for 2 semesters; $14,500 for 1 academic year (3 semesters)

• Affidavit of Support if necessary (+Family registry if the sponsor is a family member)

• Transfer Form filled out by the previous school DSO

Additionally, prospective transfer students will also need to do the following:

1. Visit Bluedata; submit documents

2. Submit transfer form & acceptance letter to old school

3. Have the previous school release student record

4. Register for next available start date

5. Start class on the start date of Bluedata I-20 (printed after student starts class)

A bilingual school agent is always happy and available to help transfer students with the enrollment process at any point. We will gladly answer your questions. If you have any additional questions about studying at Bluedata, don’t hesitate to contact us by calling 212-683-6250 or emailing bluedataesl@gmail.com.

Yes. As part of enrollment, all students must complete the M-EPT entrance exam to determine class placement. Depending on score, students will be placed accordingly in ESL courses (Levels 1-6). Students who score high enough on the M-EPT entrance exam should register for enrichment courses (Accent Reduction, Conversation and American Culture, Academic Writing, Business English, Reading for Pleasure, Public Speaking,ILETS or TOEFL) where upon they will take an additional placement test specific to the course before the class start date.

Yes. Transfer students must take the M-EPT Exam when enrolling at Bluedata. Depending on the score, transfer students will be placed accordingly in the appropriate level. A second placement test will be given to students who score high enough on the M-EPT Exam and wish to take enrichment courses (as opposed to ESL courses).

Prerequisites remain the same for all students regardless of status.

There are no prerequisites for ESL classes. However, Bluedata’s enrichment classes do have prerequisites, please go to ourprogram page for more details

Bluedata offers a wide variety of English language courses to help you in your personal, professional, and academic endeavors. We offer the following courses:

English as a Second Language (6 Levels) TOEFL Prep Accent Reduction Conversation and American Culture Academic Writing (3 Levels) Business English (3 Levels) Reading for Pleasure

Public Speaking

ILETS

TOEFL

GRE

Please see more details here.

Classes last for 10 weeks. While ESL classes are 200 total hours per semester (20 hours/week), Enrichment courses are 180 total hours per semester (18 hours/week).

Bluedata offers four class schedules: AM, PM, Evening, and Weekend. You can choose your schedule. Please contact one of our bilingual agents to learn more about class schedules and start dates.

Yes, after each 10-week semester, students have four weeks of vacation time. More Info

Bluedata has many fun, experienced, and friendly English language teachers, all of whom are certified by the New York State Education Department. All teachers have at least a bachelor’s degree. Please see more details here.

In short, no.

Our International students are not permitted to work off-campus or engage in business without employment authorization from school DSO. The school DSO is required under federal law to report non-authorized employment.

However, based on the school’s needs, on-campus work opportunities may be available.

Choosing a cell phone plan in United States is somewhat different from other countries. In the United States there are three types of cell phone plans: prepaid plan, individual plan, and family plan. In the United States, there are more than 150 carriers that offer different types of cell phone plans. The largest and most popular carriers include: Verizon Wireless, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint. Smaller carriers include: Cricket Wireless, MetroPCS, Boost Wireless. If you do not want to get a new cell phone, you can get a new SIM card for your phone. Please see details here.

Popular financial institutions near Bluedata include Bank of America, Chase, Citibank, TD Bank. We recommend visiting these banks’ websites for more information specific to international students, or you can also visit a branch and ask about opening an account. The bank personnel will tell you what type of accounts are available and what documents you need to provide in order to open an account. Some banks offer free accounts for students. If you need help, you can speak to a school agent. See more details here.

Resources for housing include online and mobile applications such as Street Easy, Pad Mapper, or websites such as Apartments.com, Zillow, and Craigslist. Additionally, there are several ways to find roommates, which makes housing in New York City much more affordable. Websites such as Roomeze and Perfect Stranger make finding compatible roommates easier than ever. We recommend that you visit any potential apartments before signing a lease. Although Bluedata is located in Manhattan, many students choose to live in Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, or New Jersey. See more details here.

Bluedata does not offer health coverage to students, but there are many options for International Students. It is important to obtain healthcare insurance immediately upon arriving in the U.S. You should not go a day without being covered because the U.S. does not give free access to healthcare. See more information here.

New York has many popular shopping destinations. Luckily, Bluedata is within walking distance of some of the best shopping areas in the city (namely, Times Square, Fifth Avenue, and Madison Avenue), and just a few subway stops away from several others, such as Chelsea Market or Columbus Circle. Want to know more about shopping in NYC? Click here.

It is literally impossible to be bored in New York City. No matter what you’re interested in, there’s something fun for you. Click here for an incomplete list of recreational activities in the Big Apple. Let us know about your fun experiences in the city!

There are many ways to contact Bluedata. Fill out a registration form here, and one of our bilingual agents will get in touch with you shortly. Still have questions? Feel free to email us at INFO@bluedataesl.com or call us at 212-683-6250.

Want to learn more about Bluedata? Visit and like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, subscribe to our Youtube channel, and check out our photos on Instagram.

Your tourist visa (B1/B2) remains valid until its expiration date, even if you obtain a student visa or change your status while in the US. If you receive a student visa, it's important to clarify your status upon entry into the U.S. If you apply for a change of status to F-1 within the U.S., ensure you consult with your designated school official before traveling outside the country. Your school official will provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to return to the U.S. under F-1 status if desired.

Please keep in mind that immigration interviewers may approach your interview with suspicion regarding potential illegal immigration tendencies. Your interview performance and the supporting documents you submit are crucial for alleviating the interviewer's concerns. Throughout the interview and in your submitted materials, you must demonstrate a strong connection to your home country and a commitment to maintaining ties there. Additionally, emphasize that your sole purpose for coming to the United States is for study purposes. If your application is rejected initially, you can reapply at no additional cost. However, it's advisable to space out your interviews and understand the reasons for the initial rejection to avoid repeating the same mistakes.

Yes. Bluedata International Institute in Manhattan offers ESL courses for F-1 visa students that include access to health insurance options. Learn more about enrollment and healthcare options on our healthcare page.

Bluedata International Institute provides academic writing courses in Manhattan designed for international students who want to improve essay writing, research papers, and academic English. See details on our Academic Writing page.

Bluedata International Institute is one of the best places in New York City to prepare for the TOEFL exam, with structured classes, practice tests, and experienced instructors. Explore test preparation options on our TOEFL prep page.

Yes. Bluedata International Institute in Manhattan offers English conversation and American culture classes to help students improve fluency and adapt to life in NYC. Details on our conversation & american culture page.

TOEFL prep courses in Manhattan, like those at Bluedata International Institute, are highly effective because they combine test strategies, speaking practice, and simulated exams. Learn more about your options on our TOEFL prep page.

You can improve American English conversation skills in NYC by joining small-group classes at Bluedata International Institute, which focuses on speaking, listening, and real-world practice. Find conversation courses at Bluedata International Institute on this page.

Bluedata International Institute is one of the best English language schools in New York, offering ESL, TOEFL, IELTS, business English, and cultural programs for international students. Explore programs at Bluedata International Institute.

A good business English course in New York should teach professional vocabulary, presentations, and workplace communication. Bluedata International Institute offers tailored business English courses in Manhattan. See options on our Business English page.

IELTS test prep in NYC is best done at accredited schools like Bluedata International Institute, which provides practice tests, writing coaching, and speaking drills. Learn more on our IELTS prep page.

Bluedata International Institute in New York City offers affordable English language courses for international students, with flexible schedules and visa support. Explore tuition details on this page.

You can find affordable ESL courses at Bluedata International Institute in Manhattan, offering beginner to advanced English classes. Learn more about your options on this page.

Bluedata International Institute, located near Times Square in Manhattan, provides flexible English class schedules for international students. Learn more about our offered programs here.

You can take business English classes at Bluedata International Institute in Manhattan, with courses focused on professional communication, meetings, and presentations. See course details on our Business English page.

Bluedata International Institute, near Times Square, offers IELTS test prep courses with structured lessons and exam strategies. Enroll today and learn more about Bluedata's options on our IELTS prep page.

Bluedata International Institute in Manhattan offers enrichment classes for English learners, including public speaking, culture, and writing workshops. Explore enrichment options at Bluedata on our course overview page.

Public speaking lessons are available at Bluedata International Institute in NYC, with courses designed to build confidence in presentations and professional communication. Learn more on our Public Speaking page.

Bluedata International Institute in New York issues official I-20 forms for F-1 visa students enrolled in ESL and English programs. Start the application at Bluedata by filling out the form on our Contact Us page.