Student Visa Info

STUDENT VISA

UK Student Visa application should be made at the nearest VFS Application center. Photocopies of all financial and academic documents should be submitted at the time of Visa application. The student will be called for personal interview at the British Deputy High Commission, only if required. During the personal interview, remember to carry all original documents.

DOCUMENTS THAT ARE REQUIRED FOR A STUDENT VISA

• Student Visa Application form.
• Photograph - size 2 inches x 2 inches
• Offer Letter from the Institution
• TOEFL / IELTS score, if applicable
• Valid Passport
• Visa fee in cash or Bank Draft
• Copies of Academic Mark sheets and Certificates
• Work Experience Certificates, if applicable.
• Proof of payment of fees, if applicable
• Proof of Funds - Applicants must demonstrate that they have sufficient liquid assets to pay the tuition fees, living expenses and travelling cost without engaging in employment in UK. Even Bank Loans are accepted.
• Letter from the sponsor
• Income Tax Papers of the sponsor

INTERVIEW

The student may be called for an Interview, if required. If this is the case, you will be advised the date and time for the interview.

SOME OF THE COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• Why are you going to the UK for studies?
• Is this course not available in India?
• Why have you selected this particular institution?
• What are your Parents doing?
• What is your Father’s annual income?
• What are your plans after completing the course?
• What is your TOEFL / IELTS Score?

Visa Application Form

To download Visa Application Form, kindly visit: http://www.fco.gov.uk/Files/kfile/VAF1%20October%202004,0.pdf

Many people would welcome the chance to spend some time in Australia studying and they can, as long as sure conditions are met. Firstly they must be proficient in English language, must attend a course or part of a course full time, and that course must be offered by an education or training provider registered with the Australian Government as accepting overseas students. The Department of Education, Science and Training provides full details but such courses comprise both vocational and academic.

There are 7 different types of student visa which may have differing conditions attached and these are:

(1). Independent ELICOS -  For those undertaking an English Language Intensive Course either not leading to an Australian award or to a variety of certificates.

(2). Schools -  For those in primary or secondary education.

(3). Vocational Educational and Training - which covers a number of vocational certificates and diplomas.

(4). Higher Education - covering degrees and graduate qualifications.

(5). Postgraduate Research - for those undertaking Masters research or a Doctorate.

(6). Non-Award - which are foundation studies or other components of courses not leading to an Australian award?

(7). AusAID and Defence - these are full-time courses undertaken by an AusAID or Defence student sponsored by the Australian Government

Each applicant for a student visa is assessed depending on country from which a passport is under arrest and the type of visa required. The evaluation level is designed to indicate how likely a student is to comply with the conditions of their visa, based on their previous performance. The assessment levels range from 1 to 5 and the higher the level, the more evidence will be required to support the visa application in terms of the student’s aptitude to support themselves and their fluency in the English language.

There are a number of conditions connected with being granted a Student Visa, the most distinguished of which being that the student must maintain enough health insurance for the period of their stay, they may not labor unless the apply intended for a separate visa to do so and they must remain in full-time education. The situation are far-away more detailed than this but this gives an thought of what is required of someone wanting to apply for a Student Visa. The Australian Government Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs website will guide students through the steps required to apply for an Australian Visa.

Whether you are seeking an F visa or J visa, you face the seemingly arduous task of traveling to a US consulate for a face to face visa interview. Since both visas fall in the “non-immigrant” category, there is a legal assumption that governs its issuance. In effect, you, the applicant, face a legal burden of proof the minute you walk up to that window.

Let us explain. According to US immigration law, every person who enters a US consulate to apply for a non immigration visa is presumed to be an intended immigrant unless that person can show evidence to the contrary. This is serious! It is an assumption under Section 214 B of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( INA).

The government of the United States has instructed every counselor at the window to believe that you might be using the student visa as a pretense for entering the US on a permanent basis. So you will have to show them that such is not the case when you get there. How do you overcome such a burdensome presumption?

The key is proper preparation and understanding what is required. Let’s talk about the documents:

Passport

You will have your passport. Generally, if you have traveled to the USA before and not violated the law or the terms of your visa, you are probably most likely to get the student or exchange visa. If you have traveled extensively in developed countries, that helps.

However, if you have been to Cuba or are from a Middle-Eastern or communist country, you may have to do some explaining. While these factors may not directly impact the decision, they are complications that will make the interview a bit more nerve wrecking.

Forms DS-156 and DS-157

You will fill out a form called the DS-156 (and the DS 157 if you are male). The first is the visa application form; the second is the security form. The form requires two passport photos with clearly indicated dimensions, and a $100 US or local equivalent application fee. The form itself is not complex. But you will need to have your intended address (so get it from the university), and you will need to answer questions about your plans.

One touchy issue on the form is about your previous travels to the USA. Records exist, especially for post 2001 activities, so be honest. Another touchy issue is that of relatives. If you have had a previous immigrant filing or a current immigrant petition, then it is not advisable to seek a student visa. You would not be able to clear the “intended immigrant” hurdle. Previous, but not current filing can be explained but might be a hurdle.

Having relatives in the USA is NOT an asset. Don’t believe for a minute that your uncle in New York or your sister in Los Angeles would work in your favor. On the contrary, it demonstrates ties to the USA and not your home country. If such a condition exists, be prepared to explain why it would not be a factor in your plans to return home after completing your degree.

Fees

Fees can be costly. So a mistake the first time could result in you having to re-apply and pay another $100. But even if you have everything right, prior to going for the interview, you must pay a SEVIS or form I-901 fee, in addition to your visa fee. That is also $100. You must have evidence that you have paid this fee online prior to arriving for your interview.

Making an Appointment

Online is a good way to make a visa appointment (where available), and also to submit your DS-156 and or DS-157. Submitting the forms electronically and arriving at the embassy for your scheduled interview can help to accelerate your case and give you a preferred place in line. You will have a bar-coded printout that you can take with you allowing easy access to your application.

Supplemental Documents

Supplemental documents are serious. In addition to the passport, photos, forms, and documents, always carry your financial information that you submitted to the school. But it is also wise to carry any additional evidence of present or future financial support.

Take all your academic documents and copies of your test scores. Carry any correspondence from your school particularly scholarship offers or housing confirmation. If you have a family business, a house, a significant other, a pending job, or a bond, or evidence of anything that suggests or compels you to return, then these are great things to carry.

Keep in mind, the purpose of the interview is to simply assure the counselor that you intend to go to school in good faith and complete the intended program and then obediently return to your home country. It is also important to convince him or her that you have the language skills, academic ability, and the financial means or support to total this. Given those situation, you should have no problems getting your visa.

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.