Recruitment Process FAQ

This page is for recruiters, coaches, and families. It outlines how international recruitment (Africa to the US) and recruitment within the US work, step by step.

International: Africa to US

1. Documents and eligibility

The player and family gather identity and academic documents.

  1. Birth certificate
  2. National certificate
  3. Passport and medical

2. School placement

The recruiter or program helps secure a US school placement; the school will later issue the I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for F-1 student status).

  1. School application (information provided by recruiters)
  2. School approval
  3. Financial check of parents

3. Visa process

After the school issues the I-20, the student completes the visa application and interview.

I-20: Certificate of Eligibility for F-1 student status; issued by the US school after admission.

SEVIS fee: I-901 fee paid to the US government (e.g. $350 for F-1); required before the visa interview.

DS-160: Online nonimmigrant visa application form; must be completed and the confirmation page printed before the interview.

  1. Issue the I-20
  2. Visa application
  3. Schedule visa appointment
  4. Interview preparation
  5. Visa interview
  6. Approval or denial

Documents to bring to the visa interview

  • Valid passport
  • I-20 form
  • DS-160 confirmation page
  • SEVIS fee receipt
  • Proof of financial support
  • Admission letter
  • Academic transcripts

Timing and rules

  • Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee (e.g. $350 for F-1) at least 3 business days before the visa interview; payment is required before the interview.
  • Complete the DS-160 nonimmigrant visa application online and pay the visa (MRV) application fee before scheduling your appointment. Print your confirmation page.
  • The student may enter the US up to 30 days before the program start date. The F-1 visa can be issued up to 365 days before the program begins.

For NCAA student-athletes

For NCAA eligibility: international student-athletes should register with the NCAA Eligibility Center and submit certified academic documents (e.g. proof of graduation, transcripts from year 9 onward in native language plus certified English translations) from the school's official email—not from students or recruiters.

4. Travel

Once the visa is approved, the student books travel and can enter the US up to 30 days before the program start.

  1. Book flight
  2. Arrival in the US

Within the US

For players already in the United States, transfer eligibility is managed between the current school, the new school, and the guardian.

  1. Establish contact with guardian
  2. Agreement of transfer
  3. Send transfer document
  4. Sign document

What to expect

Transfer eligibility is governed by state associations (e.g. CIF, IHSA, VHSL, UHSAA). Review typically takes 4–6 weeks. Have documentation of residence and, if relevant, court orders for custody changes ready.