Study in the USA

Immigrating to the US

International student visas are issued by the Immigration and Naturalization Department (INS), under the State Department of the United States. An international student visa grants the student permission to enter the USA legally. In order to obtain an international student visa to enter the US, the applicant must meet the following basic requirements:

The applicant must be in good health. People who have tested positive for HIV are not allowed to enter the US and will not be issued an international student visa. The applicant must promise to obey all US laws. Failure to do so will result in deportation. The applicant must be able to support himself financially during the course of US study. The applicant must agree to leave the USA upon the completion of his/her course of study.

Obtaining an international student visa does not automatically guarantee your entry into the United States. The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) officer at the port of entry into the US has the authority to deny admission even if an international student visa has been granted. Therefore, follow all immigration rules and guidelines closely.

There are three types of student visas:

The F-1 visa is for full-time students enrolled in an academic or language program. F-1 students may stay in the US for up to 60 days after the completion of their academic program. F-1 visa students must maintain a full-time course load and complete their studies by the expiration date listed on the I-20 form.

The J-1 visa is issued for students who need practical training that is not available in their home country to complete their academic program. The training must be directly related to the academic program. The J-1 visa obligates the student to return to their home country after the completion of their studies in the US. J-1 visa students can apply for an immigrant (permanent residence) visa two years after leaving the US.

The M-1 visa is issued for students attending non-academic trade and vocational schools. The M-1 visa is valid for not more than 12 months.. Recipients of an M-1 visa may not change fields of study. Switching from an M-1 visa to a F-1 visa is not permitted.

Most international students apply for the F-1 or the J-1 visa. If the foreign student advisor believes you have the resources necessary for study in US, he or she will send you a Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant [F-1] Student Status). You will need to submit this form with your application for a student visa to the American embassy or consulate. You will also have to provide proof of proficiency in English (unless you are enrolling in a language program). You will also need Form OF-156 (Non-Immigrant Visa form available from US consular offices), a valid passport, a square photograph (as per embassy specifications) showing full face against a light background, and the visa processing fee. For any specific information the students should contact the US embassy or consulate for information about visas to the US.

There are a few things students need to be careful about. Once they are in the US, they must check their visa status carefully before travelling to other countries. Their visa must permit multiple entries. Otherwise, they might not be allowed to re-enter the US when they return from their trip. For students on an F-1 visa, the passport must be valid for at least six months when they enter the US, and their I-20 form must have been signed by the foreign student advisor within the past six months. They must also have a valid F-1 visa stamped in their passport and carry documentation of financial support. The rules for students on a J-1 visa are similar, except the IAP-66 form must have been signed by their sponsor within the past year.

It is important to remember that the time it takes to process your visa vary significantly depending on the type of visa and circumstances in the country or region. Therefore, it is important that one should contact the closest US Embassy or Consulate as soon as one knows that he or she needs to travel to the US.