Coming to the US to study is a big endeavor that involves lots of planning, paperwork and payments. To make sure their entry into the US goes smoothly, international students must make sure that their preparatory work includes getting a student visa. Although having a visa does not guarantee entry into the US, it entitles the owner to request permission from a US immigration officer.
Types of US Student Visas
There are three types of visas used by non-US academic students:
- F-1 Student Visa - Most students coming to America to study apply for the F-1. For full-time students that are enrolled in an accredited academic or intensive English language program, this visa allows them to stay in the US for the length of the program, plus 60 days. If their course load changes to less than full-time, or if they have not completed the program by the expiration date provided, students must return to their home country.
- J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa - If non-US students need to complete some practical training in order to complete their academic program, and that training is not available in their home country, they can request a J-1 visa. The training must be directly related to their studies, and after completing it the student must return to their home country for at least two years before they will be eligible to apply for a permanent residence (immigrant) visa.
- M-1 Vocational Student Visa - The M-1 is for students who wish to attend a trade or vocational school, applies to only the chosen field of study, and is valid for up to one year. Students are not allowed to switch from an M-1 to an F-1.
Requirements
To obtain any kind of US visa, a student must:
- Be healthy. Inoculations are not required in most cases. People who have tested HIV-positive are not allowed to enter the US.
- Be observant of local, state and national laws. During their time in the US, if students engage in criminal activity they may be deported.
- Be financially stable. Visa applicants must be able to prove that they have enough financial support to fund their stay.
- Be prepared to leave. Visa applicants must demonstrate that they intend to leave the US after finishing a program of study.
How To Apply
US educational institutions provide foreign student advisors to assist international students who wish to participate in their academic programs. Foreign student advisors assess whether students who have been academically admitted into a program at an educational institution meet student visa requirements, and then provide a packet of information including Form I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant [F-1] Student Status (or Form DS-2019) which is generated by SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System). Exchange programs provide sponsors who are designated by the Department of State to assist international students in obtaining Form I-20.
When applying for a US student visa, applicants must:
- Be accepted into a US academic institution or exchange program
- Have a valid passport
- Fill out Form OF-156 Non-Immigrant Visa form carefully (available from offices of the US consulate)
- Fill out Form I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant [F-1] Student Status or Form DS-2019 (and pay SEVIS fee)
- Provide proof of English proficiency (requirements differ if applicant wishes to participate in English language program)
- Provide a 1-1/2 inch square photograph (37 mm x 37 mm) showing full face against a light background
- Include the visa processing fee
- Provide proof of sufficient financial support
- Include receipts for SEVIS and other fees
- Take all documentation to an American embassy or consulate for a visa interview
Mail List
|