Getting a Student Visa

(How To Get a U.S. F-1 Student Visa)

Copyright 2011 LearnintheUS.com

Congratulations! You have just taken the first step in attaining your goal of studying in the United States. By deciding to educate yourself regarding the rules of obtaining a student visa, you are now on the road to success.

There are three types of student visas. Academic students use the F-1 visa. Vocational students use the M-1 visa. And exchange visitors use the J-1 visa. This pamphlet will answer some of the most common questions regarding the F-1 visa.

How do I obtain a student visa for the United States?

The first step in obtaining an F-1 student visa is determining which school you wish to attend. The university, seminary, conservatory or other school of higher learning must be approved by the US government to issue the I-20 form so be sure that your school of choice has that legal ability. Most legitimate schools are accredited by the government to accept foreign students but be sure to ask.

Does the quality of the school or its prestige make a difference? Is it easier to get a visa for an Ivy League school than it is for a community college?

The consulate is not supposed to give different schools different weight in determining the validity of the students request and consular officers should not second guess the students qualifications.

However, the consular officers can consider the usefulness of a degree from a community or lesserknown college. Attendance at such a college or university is not, in itself, a ground of ineligibility and applicants cannot be refused a visa for that reason. Apparently, which school you choose is not nearly as important as why you chose it. The consular officer is instructed to focus more on the applicants immediate intent instead of his ties or long term goals.

Copyright 2011 LearnintheUS.com

How do I know if I qualify for an F-1 visa?

To qualify you must have a residence that you intend to return to, enough funds to support yourself during your period of study in the United States and the intention to leave the US at the end of your studies. You will not be issued a student visa if you do not intend to return to your home country once you have completed your studies. Of course, you may be able to change your status and remain longer in the US, but your intention at the time of requesting the student visa must be to return home.

The fact that you want to study a subject for which there is little or no employment in your home country is not a reason to deny you the student visa. Nor can you be denied a visa if your home country can provide for similar quality courses in the same subject such as English as a Second Language courses.

Do I have to be able to speak English to study in the United States?

No, but you should be proficient or receive training to become proficient. The school may explain why English proficiency is not required. Many students choose to participate in a full-time English language course before beginning their collegiate studies to gain fluency in the language. You will still receive an F1 visa if you take English as a Second Language classes, but you should discuss this option with the school you wish to attend.

Do I have to have medical insurance to get an F-1 visa?

No but it may be helpful to have. If you dont have it you should be prepared to assure the US consulate that you will be able to afford medical services if you need them while studying abroad.

Copyright 2011 LearnintheUS.com

Can I study part-time and still get an F-1 visa?

No, you must be pursuing a full-time course load. That means you must be taking 12 semester/quarter hours because generally students who take 12 hours are considered full time students. However, if once admitted, you need to reduce your course load you must obtain permission from the Designated School Official (DSO). If you are permitted, you can only reduce it to 6 semester/quarter hours or half the clock hours of a full course load. You can only reduce your course load one time unless it is for medical reasons and then only for a maximum of 12 months. You may, however, have a reduced course load for your final term.

Can I enter the US on a visitors visa and then study while Im changing my status to a student visa?

No. Students used to be able to enter on a visitors visa (B-1 or B-2) and then start school while they waited for their student visa to be approved. Now the government insists that you cannot start to study until you have changed status to an F-1, gotten an F-1 visa abroad and re-entered the United States on that F-1 visa.

How far in advance should I apply for the student visa?

The consular officer may issue an F visa no earlier than 120 days prior to the program start date indicated on your I-20 visa eligibility document. The Department of State, however, has instructed posts to accept applications earlier from students who anticipate delays, such as security clearance delays.

What is SEVIS?

SEVIS stands for Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. The government requires schools

Copyright 2011 LearnintheUS.com

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Copyright 2011 LearnintheUS.com