Student Visa Info

An F1 visa is subject to international students who are presence an academic program or English Language Program at a US collge or university. F-1 students must maintain the minimum course load for full-time student status. They can remain in the US up to 60 days beyond the length of time it takes to total their academic program. In addition, an F1 student can stay for 12 months after securing a degree to work under the OPT (Optional Practical Training) program. F1 students are predictable to total their studies by the expiration date on their I-20 form (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status) which is give by the US College or university that the student has been accepted to and will attend.

In sequence to meet the requirements, applicants need to satisfy several strict criteria:

(1). Must have sufficient financial support;

(2). Must have strong ties to home country (e.g. job offer letter upon completion of studies, assets, bank accounts, and family).

(3). It may be possible to convert this visa to a temporary work visa upon completion of applicant’s studies. Spouses and minor children obtain F-2 visa status and are not authorized to work in the U.S.

(4). Must have a foreign residence and must intend to return there upon completion of studies;

(5). Can only study at the academic institution through which the visa was granted;

In our Working in the USA section, we provide detailed guidance on the various employment opportunities for F1 students in the USA. Generally, immigration regulations are very strict with respect to working while carrying a student visa. F-1 status, which is the most common status for full-time international students, allows for part time, on-campus employment (fewer than 20 hours per week.) Jobs available on campus typically do not pay much, certainly not enough to finance a university education. Do not count on this kind of a job for anything more than a supplement to other funds.

An F-1 student is generally entitled up to one year of post-completion practical training. Authorization for this type of practical training may be granted for a maximum of 12 months and only starts once you have graduated or completed your course of study.

Please visit our Working in the USA section for complete information regarding OPT and other permitted employment for F1 students.

Speak to the international students department of your university to get the necessary forms to apply. They will inform you of the different practical training options available to you. Find out about your practical training options when you start to study so you can adequately prepare for the future.

Applying for an F1 Visa

Different universities have different admission policies. Your university will inform you what they need from you in order to determine that you are academically eligible. Amongst other requirements, you will need to show the school that you have enough money to support yourself while studying without having to work and you may have to show health insurance in order to cover any medical expenses should you need any medical assistance. Always protect yourself by keeping a copy of everything that you fill out and send off. Once the university has determined that your application is complete and you are academically eligible, they will issue an I-20 form to enable you to apply for your student visa.

Applicants for student visas should generally apply at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate with jurisdiction over their place of permanent residence. This will normally be your home country, the country in which you live. Although visa applicants may apply at any U.S. consular office abroad, it may be more difficult to qualify for the visa outside the country of permanent residence.

You will need the following when applying at the consulate for your student visa:

(1). A passport valid for travel to the United States and with a validity date at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the United States. If more than one person is included in the passport, each person desiring a visa must make a use.

(2). One photograph 1 and 1/2 inches square (37×37mm) for each applicant, showing full face, without head covering, against a light background

(3). For the “F” applicant, a Form I-20A-B. For the “M” applicant, a Form I-20M-N. This form shows that you have been admitted into a US college, university or other institution.

(4). You will need to show that you have enough money to support yourself.

(5). You will have to pay a non-refundable application fee. This means that if your visa does not get approved, you will not get your money back.

(6). An application Form DS-156, completed and signed. These forms are free at all U.S. consular offices.

(7). A DS-157 form for all males aged 16-45.

Any global student who wants to enter US student should obtain legal consent from the country, by applying to a nearby US embassy or consulate. There are mainly two types of student visas that exist for studying in the USA. ‘F1 Visa’ is the ‘Student Visa’ meant for students who register in any academic or language program. The students who get this F1 visa are allowed to be there in the country for the entire period of the course and sixty more days. ‘J1 Visa‘ is the second kind of student visa for pursuing studies in the USA, generally called as ‘Exchange Visitor Visa’. This is issued for students needing practical training that is not obtainable in their resident country to complete their academic program.

In the latter case, the training must be directly related to the academic program. The J1 visa obligates international students to return to their inhabitant land for a minimum of two years after the completion of their studies in the US before being eligible to apply for an immigrant or enduring visa. The essential and most important documents generally required for getting the US student visa are a valid passport known by the country you belong, your new passport sized photographs and a non-immigrant visa claim available from the Consular section.

Proof of financial ability to cover the costs of the education and maintenance involved is needed and visa fee is to be paid in the currency form of your native country by a Bank Draft. You will be asked to offer details like income details of your parents, your regular annual living expenses, details of your and your parents’ belongings assets and sources of funding for your education other than from the university or the school. However, the students are advised to search for the help from the respective embassy place of work or consulates for the precise details.